How to Stop Postpartum Hair Loss?
Are you losing an excessive amount of hair after you have given birth?
This can happen due to postpartum hair loss, a condition also known as postpartum alopecia.
It happens due to the sudden hormonal changes in the body following childbirth.
According to Flo, around 40-50% of women worldwide undergo postpartum hair loss.
It is a common condition that can happen after three months of pregnancy and can last up to 6 months.
It is temporary, and most people’s hair might return to normal.
Read the following article to understand hair loss after childbirth.
Cause of Postpartum hair loss
Hormone levels can change a lot during pregnancy.
Increasing hormone levels, especially estrogen, can increase hair growth and delay hair fall.
After giving birth, the estrogen levels return to normal.
This leads to the falling out of the excess hair, and the hair cycle resumes.
Postpartum Hair loss typically starts three to four months after giving birth.
This hair loss is temporary and will stop within six to twelve months.
How to stop postpartum hair loss?
Postpartum hair loss is normal due to hormonal changes and cannot be stopped immediately.
This condition typically lasts until the baby is one year old.
But the following steps can help stop postpartum hair loss
Maintain a balanced and healthy diet
A healthy diet full of nutrients can help stop hair loss and improve overall health and recovery.
You should include fruits and vegetables rich in protein, biotin, and vitamins to help with hair growth.
Try to have food like berries, eggs, green leafy vegetables, nuts, fish, etc., in your diet regularly.
Take dietary supplements
Take some nutritional supplements and prenatal vitamins to maintain your body and hair.
According to American Pregnancy Association, take these supplements to have healthier hair and to prevent hair loss:
- Vitamin B complex
- Biotin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Some ingredients might not be recommended during breastfeeding as they might be unsafe for the newborn.
Try to reduce stress
Decreasing stress levels can lead to regulating the hormonal imbalance caused by pregnancy.
This may result in less hair fall.
Try relaxing and mindfulness meditation.
Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress.
Be careful with styling your hair
You should be gentle with your hair and use the following tips to maintain your hair
- Avoid tight hairstyles that can pull your hair too much.
- Try to lessen using heat on your hair and use lower heat settings.
- Be gentle with washing (gentle shampoos and lightweight conditioners) and combing your hair.
- Select your hair accessories carefully.
- Stop using chemical-based treatments for a while.
Takeaway
Postpartum hair loss is a common condition for many mothers after childbirth.
This happens due to changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy.
It is a temporary condition; the hair cycle resumes its original pace after the hormone levels become normal.
There is no proper treatment, but maintaining a balanced diet, taking additional supplements, and carefully styling hair can prevent postpartum hair fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I stop my hair from falling out after pregnancy?
Hair fall after pregnancy is temporary and can be stopped by maintaining a healthy diet full of proteins and vitamins, taking dietary supplements, reducing stress, and carefully washing and styling your hair.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
Postpartum hair loss is temporary and can last for about six months. It can start three months after pregnancy, and hair growth generally returns to normal until the baby turns one.
What triggers postpartum hair loss?
Hormonal changes can trigger postpartum hair loss. During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase, which leads to hair growth, but after giving birth, the estrogen level returns to normal, which leads to the shedding of the extra hair. Hair loss after pregnancy is quite regular and temporary.
What vitamins help postpartum hair loss?
Vitamins like vitamin A, collagen or vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and biotin can help decrease postpartum hair loss. Foods like eggs, salmon, nuts, and fruits are rich sources of vitamins and other nutrients and are known to prevent hair loss.
What supplements can I take to reduce hair loss after pregnancy?
You can take supplements like vitamin B complex, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc to stop hair loss after pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet full of nutrients like vitamins and protein can also help reduce hair loss.
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