Postpartum Hair Loss: Everything You Need to Know
The female body is INCREDIBLE. Seriously - it can grow a whole little human from scratch, in just 9 months. I’ve got dirty washing older than 9 months. Pregnancy can be such a magical time for mums. Glowy skin… Shiny hair… An adorable baby on the way AND you get to look more gorgeous than ever? Unmatched.
But sometimes, after their little one has arrived, some women might experience hair loss. It can be scary seeing your hair come out in your hairbrush or in the shower - but don’t fret! We’re here to dispel postpartum hair loss myths and give you the low down so you have everything you need to tackle this new stage of life.
(P.S. We’re not licensed physicians. Hair, we’re all over it - but please always consult with your doctor if you’re concerned!)
What is postpartum hair loss - really?
On average, you typically lose about 100 hairs a day. It’s all a natural part of your hair shedding phases. 100 sounds like a lot though, right? The thing is, these hairs don’t all fall out at once, so you don’t usually notice them.
When you’ve got a baby on the way, you've got a bunch of hormones flying about - Oestrogen especially. Those hormones actually keep your hair from falling out and keep your hair in the ‘resting’ phase of the cycle. So, when you’re not losing those 100-odd hairs a day, your hair looks as full and shiny as a shampoo advert.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stay that way forever. (If it did, we’d be the first to let you know!) Once you’ve delivered your new baby and your hormones level out, all the extra hair you’ve accumulated drops too. This is typically called ‘shedding.’
Shedding is when all the hairs that were paused in their resting state realise it's time to go. However, unlike in our usual hair cycle, this shedding happens ALL AT ONCE. And when it does happen, it feels super alarming. It’s totally normal. But take a breath - we’re here to get you through it!
After the shedding is complete, the result can be significant visible hair loss or thinning hair. However, this hair more often than not grows back and resettles into a healthy growth cycle. Each case is different.
Of course, hair loss after pregnancy isn’t ALWAYS shedding - it just generally is. Hair loss can be caused by hypothyroidism, alopecia or iron deficiency. If you’re ever concerned about changes to your body after giving birth, please always visit a medical professional and get a professional diagnosis, so they can put your mind at ease.
What can you do about postpartum hair loss?
If you’ve not been loving your post-preggers hair, we’ve got a few tips to help your hair get back to its regular fullness.
Start using a shampoo and conditioner that adds volume! Keep an eye out for shampoos that contain protein. They coat the hair, making it appear fuller and lusher. We LOVE using Redken’s Volume Injection shampoo in our salon for finer hair that needs a boost.
Steer clear of shampoos that have a heavy emphasis on ‘conditioning.’ They’ll make your hair… Well… Heavy! The weight from all that lovely conditioning goodness will weigh down your hair and make it appear more limp.
Use hair products specifically formulated for thinner hair. Special formulas for thinner hair will keep weight off your hair and add volume.
Only add conditioner to the very ends of your hair and avoid going too far up with it. We’re beating a dead horse here, but just so we’re clear… It’ll weigh down your hair!
Take a break from chemically based treatments. Put off any highlights, perms and straightening sessions until the shedding stops and your hair returns to a state you’re a little more familiar with.
Head massages are a great way to stimulate hair growth. By applying gentle pressure to the scalp with the fingers or hands, you can help stimulate the blood flow across the head, and optimise healthy new hair regrowth.
In addition to massages, brushing the scalp every night can also stimulate blood circulation. However, you want to ensure you’re avoiding metal teeth and combs which can hurt the scalp and tug at the hair. A soft natural bristle brush can help massage the scalp and reduce breakage.
Choose the right accessories. Use scrunchies or barrettes to put hair up instead of elastic bands — and don't pull hair into tight ponytails! It’s a cute look, but your hair won’t thank you later.
If you want your pregnancy shiny hair and you want it NOWWW, extensions are a great option! However, you need to ensure you’re picking the right kind of extension for your hair’s current state. Some methods like clip-in, strand by strand, sew-in, or bonded extensions can put added stress on an already weak hair follicle and result in even more hair loss.
Tape-in hair extensions are the PERFECT method for adding volume and length without causing damage. And luckily enough, we’re absolute masters of the tape-in extension. Click below to start achieving your post-pregnancy hair goals!
