Welcoming a new child to your family is an exciting time filled with lots of changes. One change women sometimes aren’t ready for is postpartum hair loss. It’s a common condition that happens to many women after giving birth. That doesn’t make it any easier to accept. Luckily, there are ways to manage the hair loss, from supplements for hair growth to changes in styling techniques.
Estrogen Levels
It’s good to understand why postpartum hair loss happens in the first place. Hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy affect the growth cycle of your hair. During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase of hair follicles, resulting in thicker, fuller hair. However, after giving birth, estrogen levels drop, and the hair follicles enter a resting phase. This resting phase leads to hair shedding, which can cause postpartum hair loss.
Once you understand how estrogen levels impact your hair, you can get a better idea of how to stimulate hair growth male pattern baldness and the best ways to manage your hair shedding. Postpartum hair loss typically lasts about four months after childbirth, but some people may experience issues for up to a year.
Oral Supplements & Serums
So what can be done? Supplements are a good place to start. Like all aspects of the body, you have to give yourself the right building blocks to see growth. Look for formulas with vitamins A, D, C, and E plus folic acid and biotin to promote more hair recovery.
You can also use a hair serum for hair growth. This is especially helpful if your postpartum hair loss has been uneven. For instance, you may see more hair shedding around your temples and hairline. A serum can be applied directly to the trouble spots for better results.
Gentle Styling
Caring for your hair during postpartum hair loss is important to promote healthy regrowth and minimize further hair loss. No matter how you like to wear your hair, it’s important to be gentle. Avoid pulling, tugging and over-brushing since you can cause further damage and breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristled brush to detangle your hair gently.
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to avoid any irritation or dryness to your scalp. You should also limit the use of heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons and blow dryers. Heat damage will cause even more breakage. Don’t forget to get haircuts on a regular basis. It may seem counter-intuitive to grow out your hair, but regular haircuts remove damaged hair and split ends, making your hair look fuller and healthier.
Don’t Let Postpartum Hair Loss Get You Down
Hair loss can take a toll on your confidence, especially when you are trying to balance other aspects of life such as a new baby. While you can’t always prevent this natural process from happening, you can manage it. Adding supplements and serums that encourage growth can help restore some of the lost hair and help you feel better. Start finding the products that work for you.
