Postpartum Hair Loss

Postpartum Hair Loss — What It Is

Hair loss after pregnancy is the sudden shedding (sometimes in clumps) that many new mothers experience between three and six months after they give birth.

Postpartum Hair Loss — What Causes It

Normally, the average head loses 100 hairs a day — but not all at once, so you don't notice them. Your pregnancy hormones keep those hairs from falling out (which is why your hair looks as lush as a supermodel's, or is so thick you can barely get a brush through it). But all good things must come to an end, and that includes your awesome new 'do. When those hormones drop back to normal, the extra hairs drop, too.

Postpartum Hair Loss — What You Need to Know

Don't freak: You're not going bald, you're just getting back to normal. If you'rebreastfeeding, some of your extra hair may hang on to your scalp until you wean or start to supplement with formula or solids. But nursing or not, take comfort in knowing that by the time your baby is ready to blow out the candles on that first birthday cake (and has a full head of hair of his or her own, possibly), your catch-up hair loss will be finished, and your locks should be back to normal, too.

Postpartum Hair Loss — What You Can Do About It

Keep your hair healthy by eating well and taking a prenatal vitamin supplement.

Be Extra gentle during your shedding season to prevent excess hair loss after pregnancy.

Shampoo only when necessary and use a good conditioner and a wide toothed comb a minimize tangling 

Skip blow dryers and curling and flat irons if you can and put off any chemically based treatments until the shedding stops.

  

Postpartum hair loss is very common. In most cases once the shedding ceases the hair volume will only be slightly thinner than pre-pregnancy hair volume. When postpartum hair loss becomes severe and long-lasting other factors such as nutritional deficiencies or other imbalances may be involved.

The burning sensation you are feeling on your scalp is sometimes referred to as "burning scalp syndrome." The technical names for this condition are trichodynia or scalp dysesthesia. Hair loss is often associated with this condition. There is very little conclusive information on this subject. 

Scalp massage may help reduce the tightness and make your scalp more pliable. When you place your fingers on your scalp make sure you are actually moving your scalp rather than just moving your fingers on your scalp. Using a cooling and nourishing oil such as coconut oil may provide more relief.  Adding a drop or two of a cooling essential oil such as lavender or peppermint may also help. If the scalp is tight, blood flow will be restricted. The hair follicles are nourished through blood supply. If the follicles are not properly nourished healthy hair growth will be inhibited. 

Once a woman’s hormones return to normal levels, generally within six months, her hair will begin to grow back normally.  In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you manage.

  - Invest in fun and pretty hats and scarves.

  - Consider a new hair cut – shorter if possible to take the eye away from any balding spots.

  - Keep your hair conditioned and moisturized – dry, brittle hair tends to break off.

  - Do brush your hair to stimulate your scalp and hair growth but don’t yank it through your hair.

  - Do not over wash or process your hair – It damages hair and will cause more hair loss.

So we know what is causing the hair to grow in so quickly, why exactly is it falling out?

Chances are, if your are experience a great loss during the pregnancy itself you could be lacking important vitamins/minerals.  You may be able to get to the bottom of this by consulting with your physician or a dietitian. 

We all know that when we are growing a baby that our body need more of all the good things in life, and losing your hair could be just the warning you need to alert you that you are lacking on one area or another.  Now, after your baby is born, you will experience a sudden drop in many of the hormones in your body.  This amounts for the surprising loss of hair that begins.  Don’t despair too much, it is just your hormones trying to adjust and get back in sync with your body.