Breastfeeding, inevitable changes in mood, haemorrhoids, bleeding and severe fatigue – these are just a few of the many postnatal issues experienced by new mothers. Although your doctor may have warned you about most of them, there are other uncomfortable side effects on your body in pregnancy that you might not expect: hair loss after giving birth.
When a young mother tends to have difficulty adapting to other changes in her body, it can be traumatic to see her hair fall into a clump while bathing. Hair loss after pregnancy is normal, common and, even better, genuinely temporary.
Hair loss every day is a regular occurrence. We all lose our hair at a constant speed, especially when we wash and comb it. During the growth cycle, about 90% of our hair grows all the time. During pregnancy, most women have thick and shiny hair and
experience hair loss after giving birth. But in some cases, women experience hair loss during pregnancy. Let’s find out about hair loss during pregnancy.
Don’t panic, hair loss after childbirth is common. In this article, Hairsure Clinic gives information more about what causes hair loss after giving birth, and some postnatal hair loss tips that will help you recover.
Is hair loss abnormal during pregnancy?
Hair loss in early pregnancy is not uncommon but is less common than postnatal loss. Pregnant women tend to enjoy thicker hair. But in some cases, depending on your health, hair loss can occur during pregnancy. Sometimes hormone fluctuations also cause hair loss. Hair can fall like clumps when bathing or brushing. You should monitor your hair growth between 6 and 12 months after birth.
If the intensity continues, this is because you have a vitamin deficiency. Ask a doctor for advice. By reading this article further, you can find and link the possible causes of hair loss during pregnancy.
Why does hair fall during pregnancy?
In general, pregnant women have thick hair because of the hormone estrogen. This hormone prevents hair follicles from falling. However, it is not common that all pregnant women will experience the same condition because some lose their hair during pregnancy due to various health or hormonal imbalances.
The hormone progesterone, which is released in large amounts during pregnancy, often causes dryness. It can cause strands of hair to break and crack near the roots. Hair loss can be caused by a lack of vitamins or minerals in your body. Some other reasons are stopping birth control pills or different situations such as abortion or miscarriage.
What causes hair loss during pregnancy?
Both men and women lose an average of 50 to 100 hairs a day. During pregnancy, increased estrogen levels slow down the natural cycle of hair follicle separation. As a result, some women can lose less hair during pregnancy. However, this is not always the case.
Telogen effluvium is a term used to describe excessive hair loss and usually occurs one to five months after pregnancy. It is a temporary condition that affects between 40 and 50% of women. The hair loss cycle often becomes normal within six to 12 months after birth. Hormonal instability and specific physical changes can cause hair loss during pregnancy. Some reasons listed below:
- Hormonal shift
- Health issues
- Thyroid problems
- Iron deficiency
- Poor Nutrition
- Illness
- Genetics
- Reproductive causes
Some Common tips to Avoid hair loss during pregnancy or after giving birth.
Hair loss after childbirth is a typical result of hormonal changes, and you cannot stop it immediately. However, you can take action to minimize the effects of hair loss after giving birth and promote healthy hair growth.
Here are six things you can try to treat hair loss after giving birth:
Make sure you eat healthy foods:
We all know that a healthy diet is an essential factor for optimal health and well-being. Especially for women after childbirth, a healthy diet can support your health recovery and prevent hair loss in pregnancy and after giving birth.
Make sure that your diet contains the right balance between vitamins and nutrients, mainly found in vegetables, whole grains and fresh fruit. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Take supplements:
If you are worried about hair loss after giving birth, talk to a doctor about taking vitamin or mineral supplements to stop hair loss and increase hair growth. Doctors recommend the following:
- Vitamin B complex and biotin (B7)
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
This nutrient may already be in the postpartum recovery plan. So be sure to talk with your doctor before taking supplements.
Reduce stress:
Steps to reduce stress levels have the added benefit of helping to regulate hormonal imbalances.
Practice various relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises. Take time for light or moderate exercise regularly, which can also help reduce stress. Meet friends and relatives to help care for your baby or even do house-related work if you feel overwhelmed.
Hair loss after childbirth is stressful, but it is a symptom of regular hormonal changes after birth. One of the symptoms of postpartum that you should not ignore is depression. Don’t forget to talk to a doctor if you feel very anxious, angry, or overworked in the weeks and months after birth.
Change your hairstyle:
You can go for a short hairstyle that many young mothers do after their baby is born. While many women turn to their mothers for practical reasons, shorter styles can also help reduce the onset of hair loss after birth.
Adjust your style regardless of the length of your hair to reduce tension on your hair. Limit brushing hard to avoid tearing or splitting hair, and try not to force your hair into styles such as ponytails, braids, or weaving.
Change your hair care:
You might find that changing your hair care can help stop further hair loss. Try hair loss shampoo enriched with biotin and silica and a deep moisturizing conditioner.
Hair is more fragile when wet. Therefore, gently brush after washing your hair or waiting for it to dry. Let your hair dryer cool and avoid using hot rollers or straightening irons to prevent further damage that can be caused by excessive heat.
Your hair can also benefit from other unique products that can be recommended by a dermatologist, such as a scalp spray and hair mask.
Go natural:
During hair loss after delivery, don’t use dye for hair, or raw gel and styling sprays. You need to choose natural oils that increase hair growth and designed to reduce or stop hair loss:
- You can try adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your shampoo. It can help moisturize the hair and increase lustre.
- Eat fish or flaxseed oil. It can help restore optimal levels of essential fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9, which promote healthy hair.
- You can try gently massaging almond oil or castor oil into your scalp because this can stimulate hair growth.
Be patient:
Hair loss can be a scary and worrying symptom after many women give birth, but as the old saying goes: it will disappear!
The tips above can help reduce hair loss to a certain extent. You can follow them along with some harmless home remedies. Contact a doctor to ensure the proper care and right hormone balance. With conditions such as hypothyroidism </a or iron deficiency anaemia, going to a doctor to find a drug or vitamin supplement that will normalize your values will help start the regrowth cycle over time.
Conclusion:
Hair loss during and after pregnancy may not require special treatment. Usually, it gets resolved over time. You must realize that you are not the only person who suffers from hair loss during pregnancy. Look for preventive and maintenance measures that might be taken instead of worrying. There are several ways you can treat hair during and after pregnancy. Follow some tips to help you take care of your hair.
If you need any suggestions and treatment for hair loss during pregnancy and after childbirth contacts Hairsure Clinic at 094940 20202 and book your appointment with one of our experienced doctors.
About HairSure Clinic:
HairSure is one of the leading hair clinics at Habsiguda, Hyderabad and we have the best hair transplant surgeons in Hyderabad practising at HairSure. At HairSure clinic, we have a team of experts in hair transplantation and PRP treatments. Our clinic has been rated one of the best for all hair transplant procedures and treatment for various hair problems. We assure you our services will bring you smiles.