Welcoming the little bundle of joy at home is a feeling that nothing can surpass. Often, new mothers experience severe hair fall. Hair fall after pregnancy can happen anytime after three months from delivery and can last for six months. It can be upsetting to see the hair thinning only after a few weeks after the baby is born. One may find loose hair on their pillow and clothing, or even hair can clog the shower drain. Many mothers wonder why it is only happening to them. However, they must understand it is not only them who experience hair fall but a lot of other women who experience that too after pregnancy. This most likely happens due to changes in hormones after pregnancy. While this is inevitable, several ways exist to control postpartum hair fall.
We have created this post to make readers understand what causes hair fall after pregnancy and what they can do to manage it. Dr. Shikha Aggarwal has shared her important insights to make the guide look informative. She is a top skin and hair doctor who is widely recognized for performing the best hair fall treatment in Ludhiana at her clinic, Bliss Laser Skin Clinic. Let’s understand what causes hair fall after pregnancy.
What Causes Hair Loss After Pregnancy?
The hair on our body grows in a cycle that lasts anywhere from two to seven years.
The active phase of the strand of hair is known as the anagen phase and determines the length of the hair. After some time, the hair follicles enter a transition phase known as the catagen phase before they enter the resting phase, called the telogen phase.
After shedding occurs, the process starts all over again. Changes related to the hormonal levels before, during, and after the pregnancy can affect hair growth. It is completely normal to experience hormonal imbalance after giving birth. And, hair fall after pregnancy is considered one of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Telogen effluvium is the medical name for postpartum hair loss, also known as postpartum alopecia. It is a condition that affects 40–50% of women in the months following childbirth. Following childbirth, a sudden change in hormone levels, specifically the balance between progesterone and estrogen, causes postpartum hair loss.
Are you experiencing excessive hair loss after pregnancy? Do not worry. You can book a consultation with Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, a famous hair and skin specialist in Ludhiana, at Bliss Laser Skin Clinic. She will determine the underlying cause of hair fall and recommend the best treatment.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Begin?
Postpartum hair loss can occur in many women two to four months after giving birth. Every woman will have a different degree of hair loss, which is not always related to the quantity or quality of hair during pregnancy. If one has longer hair or had a lot of hair growth throughout their pregnancy, the hair loss may seem more severe.
How Can I Prevent Hair Loss After Pregnancy?
“How to prevent hair loss after pregnancy” is one of the most searched questions on Google that women ask a few months after childbirth. One can prevent hair loss by maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle in the week or months after delivery. Since hair fall after pregnancy is a result of changing hormones, it is not something that can be stopped immediately. Here are some ways through which one can prevent hair loss after pregnancy and promote healthy hair growth:
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
We all know that maintaining a healthy diet is a vital factor, especially for women who experience hair loss after pregnancy. A nutritious diet can help overall recovery and can stop hair loss from progressing. Mothers must ensure they include a diet that involves vitamins and nutrients, whole grains, and fresh fruits. It is also important to drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
2. Take Nutritional Supplements
If one is concerned with postpartum hair loss, one must consult a dermatologist about taking vitamin supplements that prevent hair loss after pregnancy. These include vitamin B complex and/or biotin (B7), iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc. These nutrients must be already present in the postpartum recovery plan, so discuss them with a dermatologist about the same.
3. Reduce Stress
Reducing stress also has the added benefit of assisting with hormonal imbalance. To remain stress-free, one can try various relaxation methods, such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation. Indulge in frequent, mild to moderate exercise to help lower stress levels.
4. Limit the Intake of Sugar
Excessive intake of sugar affects the blood circulation. If this happens, the blood reaches the hair follicles and causes the nutrients not to reach the hair. This also affects healthy hair growth.
5. Avoid Styling
Unless it is essential, try and avoid styling the hair as that will affect hair growth. Moreover, avoid using heating tools post-pregnancy for 2-3 months.
How to Stop Postpartum Hair Loss?
We do understand how difficult it is to cope with hair loss after pregnancy. But one must remember that hair loss is temporary and can last up to a year after the baby's arrival. Ideally, mothers would be able to see a difference within six months. Hair fall after pregnancy increases around 3-4 months. So, the hair will regain its volume by the time the child turns one.
Final Thoughts
Hair loss after pregnancy is temporary and will pass on its own. However, to deal with it, one must be consistent with postpartum hair loss vitamins and eat a healthy diet, and they will notice a difference soon. However, if one does not see any difference even after a year of experiencing hair fall after pregnancy, one must immediately seek professional advice from a dermatologist.
For this, one can contact Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, a renowned hair doctor in Ludhiana, at her facility, Bliss Laser Skin Clinic. The expert hair specialist will determine the root cause of hair fall and recommend a few blood tests. If the hair loss is severe, she will recommend hair fall treatments such as GFC therapy, PRP, hair growth treatment, hair transplant, etc.
To consult the expert skin and hair doctor, Dr. Shikha Aggarwal, visit Bliss Laser Skin Clinic.
