Postpartum Hair Loss: The Ultimate Treatment Guide

Nearly 40-50% of all women will suffer from postpartum hair loss after delivering a child according to the American Pregnancy Association.

We understand that motherhood is a blessing, and the feeling of raising another human being is nothing short of amazing. Yet, being a mom can be a hardship too. It comes with many changes to the female body, and not all of those are appearance transformations.

Your body typically does not remain the same after pregnancy, but that is somehow manageable, and most women have a plan for it. The one thing that the majority ignore is postpartum hair loss. The only good news is that it is not permanent and can be prevented/treated.

So, we are here to talk about things you can do to prevent it or treat it. Now, before we talk about the possible treatments and prevention, let’s talk about the core causes and reasons for postpartum hair loss.

What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?

Are you wondering what causes postpartum hair loss? One word: hormones.

Hormones are one of the biggest reasons you are experiencing postpartum hair loss. Throughout your pregnancy, estrogen is produced in very high levels compared to the usual rate if you were not expecting a child. With this being said, while you are not pregnant, you can experience losing anywhere from 80-100 strands of hair per day. However, while you are pregnant, the amount of hair that you shed can dramatically decrease.

According to Healthline, this effect has to do with increased blood volume and circulation in the scalp, which lessens the chance of your hair falling out during your pregnant months. However, as soon as your baby is born, your hormone levels are dropped back down to their normal stages. The hair on the scalp will shortly after begin regulating into the normal shedding process, but at a faster rate (to make up for lost time). 

You may experience large amounts of hair beginning to shed. This is because you essentially have not lost any hair during your nine months of pregnancy. The hair growth cycle is beginning to regulate, and as a result is shedding much more hair at once.

When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?

According to Healthline, postpartum hair loss can begin as early as one day post delivery. However, it can last up to one year long, so new moms could notice thinning hair at any point in time during this one year time span.

Not everyone will experience severe postpartum hair loss, but it is not uncommon for women to see their hair thinning after delivering a new baby.

How to Limit Postpartum Hair Loss

As a new mom, you need to be informed about how to limit postpartum hair loss. This means that you need to be prepared in advance that this could be a possible side effect after giving birth. While you are pregnant, try to talk openly to your doctor and ask about what you might face after delivery. Your doctor is always your best resource.

With keeping this in mind, let’s go over some common ways to limit postpartum hair loss. 

Most importantly, don’t panic if you are witnessing hair fall. This is clearly much easier to say than do, but keep this in mind. After all, losing hair is natural, and most importantly, the stress will only make the condition severe. 

Below are some tips on how to limit postpartum hair loss:

• Eat Healthy

While you are pregnant, you are not only supplying nutrients to your body, but also the baby too. Therefore, it is important to make sure you are eating healthy and getting the proper vitamins and nutrients into your system to support both yourself and your child.

Include a variety of food groups, but make sure you are getting enough fruits, vegetables, proteins, and iron.

• Take Vitamin Supplements

Ask your doctor to suggest some vitamins that will be safe to consume during and after pregnancy. These vitamins can also help supplement the vitamins and minerals that you may not be getting from your foods in your everyday diet.

• Take Care of Your Hair

This may seem silly, but it is very important to take care of your hair while pregnant. This can potentially limit the loss and damage done during the postpartum stage. Make sure you are limiting heat as much as possible, and using products that are safe for your hair.

• Postpartum Hair Loss Shampoo

When using shampoo on your hair while pregnant, make sure you are aware that shampoo can contain harmful ingredients that the product contains. Shampoo can be harmful to the hair, especially if it contains harmful chemicals. This will keep your hair healthy throughout pregnancy and hopefully help your hair remain healthy after you give birth.

Postpartum Hair Growth: How Long Will it Take?

Depending on the individual, postpartum hair growth will be different for everyone. Some women may experience very little postpartum hair loss and others may experience severe thinning and even balding in some areas. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how long it will take for your hair to grow back. However, according to research, it is common for the hair to return to normal no later than one year post delivery.

Products for Postpartum Hair Loss

After experiencing postpartum hair loss, it is no doubt that you are on the hunt for products to help you combat your postpartum hair loss. 

Lucky for you, there can be a solution: Laser caps.

Laser caps are FDA-cleared medical devices and deemed to be safe and effective for human use. There are no known side effects from using these devices and they are a completely all-natural, pain-free, and hands-free hair growth treatment option. Laser caps can help you regrow your hair! 

Here’s how:

• Laser caps use low level light therapy (LLLT) technology

• This technology is emitted through medical grade laser diodes in the cap

• Laser caps stimulate blood flow to the scalp

• Your scalp needs blood flow to the follicles to provide the proper oxygen levels and vitamin and nutrients to promote new growth.

• Laser caps encourage new growth

• These devices encourage new hair follicle growth on the scalp using the all-natural light therapy

We of course recommend consulting with your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Postpartum Hair Loss Treatment Continued

Laser caps can be an effective solution for a postpartum hair loss treatment. These caps are hands-free, portable and contain a built in self-timer. This makes them extremely convenient and easy to use while trying to adjust to life as a new mom.

You can complete the treatment in the comfort of your own home, without having to carve out time in your busy day to visit a clinic. The hands-free design and built in self-timer allows you to be doing other activities at the same time you are undergoing your treatment. For a busy new mom, this is an ideal hair growth method to help you combat your postpartum hair loss.

Also, keep in mind that laser caps can be used after the postpartum period. These FDA-cleared devices are also intended to strengthen and thicken existing follicles on the scalp. Therefore, you can continue to improve the overall health of your hair even after you see new hair growth in areas that were shedding in the postpartum period.

Conclusion

Postpartum hair loss is a common side effect of giving birth. Most new moms experience hair thinning during the first year following delivery. With the tips on how to limit postpartum hair loss and products for postpartum hair loss, you have a good idea of how to combat your condition.

Remember, every woman is different, so do not compare your recovery and hair loss to someone else. This is an individualized journey, and one that can be slight or severe. However, hair loss is not permanent so do not let it defeat your spirits.

Still not convinced that your postpartum hair loss will eventually begin to grow back with the proper treatment? Read: Can Hair Grow Back After Thinning?

FAQs

How long does postpartum hair loss last?

According to researchers and medical professionals, postpartum hair loss can last up to a year post delivery.

Does postpartum hair loss grow back?

Yes. Postpartum hair loss can grow back with the appropriate treatment method.

What helps hair loss after pregnancy?

Laser caps are a way that you can help your hair loss after pregnancy. These FDA-cleared medical devices are an all-natural hair growth treatment method to help strengthen and regrow the hair follicles.

Is postpartum hair loss permanent?

For most individuals, postpartum hair loss is not permanent and can be reversed after giving birth.