Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it often brings life changes like postpartum hair loss, which can be worrying and hard to notice at first. The good news? It’s temporary and treatable. If you’re a new mom seeking self-care for your hair, this guide has the necessary answers and remedies.
What is Postpartum Hair Loss?
Postpartum hair loss refers to the excessive shedding that many women experience after childbirth. The main reason behind this is the changes in the hormone levels.
So, when you are pregnant, your hormone levels are quite high. This helps with hair growth, which offers you thicker and fuller hair. But once you give birth, the hormone levels start to drop. This impacts your hair and leads to the shedding phase.
This results in what is known as the postpartum losing hair phase, which can be a point of worry. But it is important to note that this is a temporary phase and will not lead to any permanent damage at all.
But the bigger question is what causes this? So, let us find out here.
Reasons for Postpartum Hair Loss
It is clear that every new mother experiences postpartum hair fall. But do you know what is causing this? Well, there are many reasons for postpartum hair loss that you should be aware of. These are:
1. Hormonal Changes
The first reason for this is the changes in your hormone levels. After the delivery, you will have a sudden drop in your estrogen levels. This shifts the hair to the shedding phase for a limited time.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
A mother’s body uses extra nutrients during delivery and then breastfeeding. This can lead to a lack of iron, vitamin D, zinc, or protein, impacting the hair roots. This weakens them and can lead to easy breakage, causing the hair to fall.
3. Physical Stress of Childbirth
While childbirth is one of the best experiences to have, it is exhausting as well. This can put extra pressure on your body, which can lead to postpartum hair loss. Also, this will disrupt the hair growth cycle for a temporary period.
4. Lack of Sleep
New mothers often face sleepless nights while they care for their babies. Poor or lack of rest affects the hormone levels and balance. This can also impact the blood circulation, which can lead to high hair fall.
5. Emotional Stress
Adjusting to motherhood is not easy. You would be tackling hundreds of emotions at the same time, which can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and sometimes even depression. All these can impact your hormonal activity and lower the speed of your recovery. This can all worsen the postpartum hair fall.
Postpartum Hair Loss Remedies
There is no need to feel disheartened if you face postpartum hair loss. In fact, there are some simple remedies through which you can recover from the same. So, here are the most common remedies that you should know about:
1. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Your body needs nourishment, and there is no doubt about it. So, having each nutrient-rich diet, which includes minerals, vitamins, iron, and the rest of the nutrients your body needs, can help in speedy recovery and hair growth.
2. Practice Gentle Hair Care
If you are looking for a postpartum hair loss remedy that can help you relax, this is the one. Go for simple hair massage, mild hair care products, and oils that can nourish the scalp. This can help with hair growth by building stronger roots.
3. Stay Hydrated Daily
This is not just important for your hair but also for your body. When you drink enough fluids, your scalp stays hydrated, and the dryness will be reduced. This helps in faster recovery from postpartum hair fall.
4. Stress Management Practices
Where motherhood gives you immense happiness, there are moments of stress as well. So, if you are able to manage the stress with the help of yoga, meditation, or even short walks, you will feel relaxed. This will also reduce hair fall.
5. Consult About Supplements
If the other remedies fail, you can always go for supplements. But make sure that you consult your doctor before you start taking any supplements. The doctor would prescribe supplements rich in iron, vitamin D, or biotin, which help with hair growth and shine.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Stop?
Knowing the reasons and remedies is important. But do you know the answer to postpartum hair loss: when does it stop? So, in general, the shedding stops within 9-12 months of childbirth. To understand it better, here is quick timeline of postpartum hair loss that you should know of:
- Usually begins at 2–4 months after delivery.
- Peaks around 4–5 months, when shedding is most visible.
- The shedding starts to reduce after 6 months.
- For most women, it stops in 9-12 months, and normal hair growth can be seen.
Conclusion
Losing long, beautiful hair after childbirth can be tough, but it’s temporary and natural compared to the joy of motherhood. If you’re concerned, focus on good nutrition, care, and stress management. With these steps, you’ll see your healthy, shiny hair return in a few months. Take charge of your recovery with simple postpartum hair loss remedies and enjoy the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can postpartum hair loss be prevented completely?
No. You cannot prevent postpartum hair loss completely. This is a natural process. However, with the right remedial steps and proper nutrition, you can manage it easily.
Q2. Does cutting hair short reduce postpartum hair fall?
No. Even when you cut your hair short, you would still face the issue of hair fall after childbirth.
Q3. Are home remedies effective for postpartum hair loss?
Yes, there are some simple home remedies for postpartum hair fall. You can go for an oil massage, apply aloe vera, or use herbal hair masks. All these will help to strengthen the roots. If you are experiencing heavy hair fall, it’s better to knock on the doctor’s door.
Q4. Should I change my shampoo during postpartum hair fall?
Yes, switching to a mild, sulphate-free shampoo is helpful. Harsh products can worsen breakage, while gentle cleansers keep the scalp healthy and reduce unnecessary stress on hair.
