Hair loss after pregnancy - How to reduce your hair loss after childbirth

Hair loss after pregnancy – a guide to postpartum hair loss

Hair loss after pregnancy is something many women experience in the months following childbirth.

It can be surprising just how much hair suddenly ends up in your hairbrush or collects in the drain, but for many women this is linked to the natural hormonal changes the body undergoes during and after pregnancy.

In this guide, we take a closer look at why hair may shed more after pregnancy, how long this typically lasts, and how you can gently look after your hair during this period.

Why do you lose hair after pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body’s hormone levels change significantly.

This can affect the hair’s natural growth cycle, causing more hairs than usual to remain in the growth phase.

After giving birth, hormone levels change again, and more hairs may therefore move into the resting and shedding phases at roughly the same time.

The result can be a period during which you shed considerably more hair than usual.

This type of hair loss is often referred to as postpartum hair loss and can also be described as telogen effluvium.

This does not necessarily mean that the hair follicles are permanently damaged.

When does hair loss after pregnancy begin?

Many people find that the shedding becomes noticeable a few months after giving birth.

This is due to the hair’s natural cycle, where there may be a delay between the change in the hair follicle’s activity and the hair actually falling out.

The process varies from person to person.

Some notice only a minor change, whilst others experience a marked increase in shedding.

How long does hair loss last after pregnancy?

Postpartum hair loss is typically temporary.

For many people, the hair loss will gradually subside as the hair’s natural growth cycle returns to normal.

However, this can take several months, and it may take even longer for the hair to visibly regain its previous length and volume.

If the hair loss persists for a very long time, becomes significantly worse or seems unusual, you should speak to your doctor.

The same applies if you experience:

• patchy hair loss
• very severe hair loss
• irritation or changes to the scalp
• other new symptoms alongside the hair loss

Is the hair loss caused by breastfeeding?

Hair loss after pregnancy is often associated with breastfeeding, which has also given rise to the term ‘breastfeeding hair’.

However, it is primarily the changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth that are linked to the increased shedding.

It is therefore more accurate to refer to hair loss after pregnancy than to regard breastfeeding as the direct cause.

Hair loss after pregnancy is often temporary

It can feel overwhelming to see large amounts of hair in your brush, especially if your hair also feels significantly thinner than it did during pregnancy.

For many people, the hair growth cycle will gradually return to normal.

However, it is important to remember that hair grows slowly, so it may take time for new, shorter strands to grow out and once again visibly contribute to length and volume.

If you are concerned about your hair loss, it is always better to have it assessed than to try to diagnose the cause yourself.

Read our guide to hair loss in women.

How to look after your hair after pregnancy

You cannot necessarily prevent hormone-related hair loss with ordinary hair care.

However, you can take good care of the hair you still have, so that it is subjected to as little unnecessary strain as possible.

Choose a hairstyle you feel comfortable with

If your hair feels less voluminous than before, a new cut or styling technique can help create a visually fuller look.

A hairdresser can, amongst other things, advise on cuts that suit your hair type and current hair density.

Be gentle when styling

If your hair feels more fragile, you can minimise:

• very high temperatures
• repeated heat styling
• very tight hairstyles
• rough brushing

If you use heat styling tools, a heat-protectant product may be useful.

Choose gentle hair ties

Hair ties with hard fastenings or a very tight grip can put extra mechanical strain on the hair strands.

Softer hair ties or scrunchies may be a good alternative.

Diet after pregnancy

A varied and balanced diet is important as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The period following childbirth can be hectic, but this does not alter the fact that dietary supplements should be regarded as a complement to your diet and not as a treatment for postpartum hair loss.

If you suspect a vitamin or mineral deficiency, you should speak to your doctor.

This may be particularly relevant after pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, when individual needs and official recommendations may differ from the norm.

Vitamins and healthy hair

When vitamins and minerals are discussed in relation to hair, it is important to stick to the approved health claims.

For example:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

Selenium helps maintain normal hair.

This does not mean that these nutrients can be described as a treatment for hormone-related hair loss following pregnancy.

Nor should they be marketed as something that stops hair loss or makes new hair grow faster.

Hair Vitamins after pregnancy

Yuaia Hair Vitamins is a dietary supplement containing, amongst other things, biotin and zinc.

Biotin and zinc help maintain normal hair.

The product should not be regarded as a treatment for postpartum hair loss or as a method to stop hormonally-induced hair loss.

If you are breastfeeding, are pregnant again or are otherwise unsure which dietary supplements are suitable for your situation, you should follow the official recommendations and speak to your doctor or another relevant healthcare professional.

Always follow the recommended daily dose.

Stress, sleep and the postnatal period

Life with a newborn can be physically and mentally demanding.

Sleep patterns may be irregular, and at the same time your body is recovering from pregnancy and childbirth.

It may be a good idea to prioritise rest and seek help from others whenever possible.

If you are experiencing persistent stress, significant psychological strain or other symptoms, you should speak to your doctor or health visitor.

However, it is important not to automatically conclude that stress alone is the cause of the hair loss.

Shampoo and hair care after pregnancy

A shampoo or hair treatment cannot stop hormonally-induced postpartum hair loss.

You can, however, choose products that suit your hair and scalp and focus on gentle care.

A typical routine might, for example, consist of:

• shampooing as required
• applying conditioner to the lengths and ends
• using a hair treatment as required
• gently detangling
• using heat protection when styling with heat

If your hair feels drier or more fragile, nourishing products can help make the hair strands more manageable and easier to handle.

Can hair loss after pregnancy be prevented?

Hormone-related hair loss after pregnancy cannot necessarily be prevented with hair products, dietary supplements or special hair care routines.

However, this does not mean that hair care is unimportant.

Gentle care can help minimise mechanical hair breakage, so you avoid putting unnecessary extra strain on the lengths.

It is important to distinguish between:

Hair shedding from the hair follicle

and

hair strands breaking along their length.

These two phenomena have different causes.

Can a scalp massage help?

A scalp massage can feel pleasant and form part of a regular hair care routine.

For example, you can use your fingertips or a scalp brush whilst washing your hair.

However, it should not be described as a proven treatment for postpartum hair loss or as a method to make hair grow faster.

What about rosemary oil?

Rosemary oil is used in various cosmetic hair and scalp products.

If you use a product containing rosemary oil, you should follow the product’s instructions for use.

It should not automatically be regarded as a treatment for post-pregnancy hair loss.

If you are breastfeeding or have a sensitive scalp, it may also be advisable to pay extra attention to the ingredients and the product’s instructions.

When should I contact my doctor?

Contact your doctor if:

• the hair loss is very severe
• the hair loss continues significantly over a prolonged period
• you develop patchy areas of hair loss
• you are experiencing other symptoms at the same time
• you are concerned that there may be another cause

A doctor can assess whether this is normal postpartum hair loss or whether further investigations are needed.

FAQs on hair loss after pregnancy

When does hair loss after pregnancy start?

Many people experience increased hair shedding a few months after giving birth.

The exact timing varies from person to person.

How long does postpartum hair loss last?

For many people, the condition is temporary and gradually subsides.

However, it may take several months for hair shedding to return to normal, and even longer before the hair looks and feels as it did before.

Is hair loss after pregnancy permanent?

For many people, postpartum hair loss is temporary.

If the hair loss persists or seems unusual, it should be assessed by a doctor.

Can I stop hair loss with Hair Vitamins?

Hair Vitamins should not be regarded as a treatment for hormonally-induced hair loss following pregnancy.

Biotin and zinc help to maintain normal hair, but this is not the same as stopping postpartum hair loss.

Can biotin make hair grow faster after pregnancy?

The approved health claim is:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

This is not a claim regarding faster hair growth.

What products can I use after pregnancy?

You can use standard cosmetic hair care products for, for example, cleansing, conditioning, moisturising, detangling and styling.

These should not be marketed as a treatment for postpartum hair loss.

Can I take dietary supplements whilst breastfeeding?

If you are breastfeeding, you should follow official recommendations on dietary supplements and speak to your doctor or another relevant healthcare professional if you have any doubts about a specific product.

Does scalp massage help with hair loss after pregnancy?

Scalp massage can be a pleasant part of your routine, but should not be regarded as a proven treatment for postpartum hair loss.

Myths and facts about hair loss after pregnancy

Myth: Breastfeeding causes hair loss

Hair loss after pregnancy is primarily linked to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth.

Myth: A specific shampoo can stop hair loss

Cosmetic shampoos can cleanse and condition the hair and scalp, but should not be described as a treatment for hormonal postpartum hair loss.

Myth: Hair vitamins can stop postpartum hair loss

Dietary supplements should not be marketed as a treatment for hormonal hair loss.

Biotin and zinc help to maintain normal hair.

Myth: Hair loss after pregnancy is caused by poor hair care

Postpartum hair loss is not necessarily linked to how you have cared for your hair.

Gentle hair care can, however, help to limit further mechanical stress on the hair shafts themselves.

Myth: More vitamins lead to faster hair growth

More is not necessarily better.

Always follow the recommended dose for dietary supplements and avoid increasing your intake in an attempt to make your hair grow faster.

Brief summary

Hair loss after pregnancy is common and, for many people, temporary.

It is typically linked to changes in the hair’s natural growth cycle following pregnancy and childbirth.

You cannot necessarily stop this process with shampoo, serums, dietary supplements or scalp massage.

Instead, you can focus on treating your hair gently whilst your body and your hair’s cycle gradually return to normal.

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, the relevant approved claims regarding hair include:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

Selenium helps maintain normal hair.

This is distinct from treating or stopping hair loss following pregnancy.