While there are millions of things to be excited about now your little one has arrived, hair loss is NOT one of them. Post pregnancy hair loss is an incredibly common, though fervently unwanted, occurrence. We’ve put together our top tips for combatting post-delivery hair loss and getting new mum feeling like herself again.
Are you a soon to be mum? Check out our blog Pregnancy Hair Care: Will Pregnancy Change My Hair? for a list of what you can expect and our best hair care tips during pregnancy.
Is it Normal to Have Hair Loss After Pregnancy?
You’ll be relieved to know post pregnancy hair loss is completely and utterly normal! Remember those oestrogen surges when you were expecting? Once your little one is born, your hormones rapidly return to normal. Hair that was previously in the growth phase – come back thick, glossy pregnancy locks! – moves rapidly to the telogen (shedding) phase, causing substantial hair loss for over 50% of new mums! Science ramble over. When will this post pregnancy hair loss stop and how can you fix it?
When Does Hair Loss Stop After Having a Baby?
If you experience post delivery hair loss, you’ll notice it pretty soon after giving birth. Not ideal when you’ve just battled through 9 months of labour! This specific hair loss tends to last for around 3-6 months, which can seem like forever when you’re caring for a newborn. Fear not ladies! We can tell you how to fix post pregnancy hair loss and get back to glowing new mum in no time.
How to Reduce Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Skip Hair Styling
Applying heat to your hair can tend to make it look thinner, especially if you have fine hair to begin with. Blow dryers, hair straighteners and curling irons are a big NO for new mum. At least for the first few months, try and hold off on the hair styling and focus on snuggling your little one instead.
Vigorous hair brushing is also known to pull out clumps of hair and damage the delicate strands you already have. This can exacerbate post pregnancy hair loss and have you panicking to find clumps of hair in your hairbrush! Try low maintenance hair styles such as a bob, or if you prefer to keep your hair long try simple braids, ponytails, and buns. Your hair will thank you and skipping the styling will give you hours of time back to enjoy new parenthood!
Food to Prevent Hair Loss After Pregnancy
The best way to healthy hair is through a healthy diet. If you’re not getting the vitamins and nutrients you need, your hair will suffer. Keep your diet balanced by including a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats. Not only will your hair benefit, but you’ll also feel much more energetic and happier (which is really the most important thing after pregnancy!)
Foods (or supplements) that are recommended for hair health include eggs (protein and biotin), spinach (folate, iron, and vitamins A and C), fatty fish like salmon (omega-3 fatty acids) and sweet potatoes (beta-carotene). If you already eat healthily and you’re looking for post delivery hair loss supplementation, try Iron, Zinc and Vitamins B7, C and D.
Postpartum Hair Loss Shampoo
Depending on the type of shampoo you use, your hair may be weighed down and appear limp and lifeless (conditioning shampoos stay away!) When dealing with post pregnancy hair loss this is hardly ideal! Try a volumising shampoo to restore some bounce and thickness to your hair to detract from any hair loss. Although this might not directly fix the source of the problem, it will be sure to boost your confidence through thicker locks!
Change Your Post Pregnancy Hairstyle
As mentioned before, certain hairstyles have the ability to hide potential post pregnancy hair loss and make new parent life much easier. Many new mums opt to cut off their tresses, resulting in the ‘mum haircut’ stereotype. Though this may sound drastic, short hair is incredibly practical and easy to care for, especially now that all your time is taken up by your newborn.
Enter the Bob! Bobs may seem a little daunting at first, but with the right stylist and execution they can grab the attention of a room with virtually no effort on your part. There’s a reason Bobs are timeless! Keeping with effortless 2021 trends; try the boyfriend bob. "Think of it as a square outlined, shorter, blockier bob," enlightens Adam Reed, Hair stylist to beauty editors and A-list celebrities alike "It’s so flattering, wearable and totally changeable depending on your personal style."
Another thick hair hack is right on this page… Investing in a set of high-quality clip in hair extensions can give you a guaranteed boost in volume and length, without damaging your delicate post pregnancy hair.
Reduce Post Pregnancy Stress
Stress has been shown time and time again to have a substantial effect on our whole body, including our hair! Stress related hair loss is a real thing, and the added effect of post pregnancy stress can have a detrimental effect to your precious locks.
While a stress-free motherhood might be hard for some of us to imagine, there are tonnes of ways we can boost our mood and reduce the pressures of new parenthood. Try relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, in 2021 it’s never been easier with apps like Calm. Ensure you get out the house for moderate exercise each day. If its nice weather, take your little one to the park. Getting your body moving (and being outside) has proven time and time again to boost your mood and calm your soul.
While post pregnancy stress is completely normal, be sure to keep a close eye on your mood. Post-partem depression is extremely common in new mums. If something doesn’t feel right, be sure to reach out to friends or family and get professional help when needed.
Be Patient, It Will Pass!
While post pregnancy hair loss is extremely distressing for women worldwide, it is not permanent! Hang in there. Your hormones are an internal whirlwind right now, and they will return to normal. Try not to stress about temporary hair loss and enjoy the ride of parenthood. We’re sure you’ll be glowing regardless!
Did this ‘Post Pregnancy Hair Care: How to Fix Hair Loss After Pregnancy?' article help you? What's going to be your go-to post pregnancy hair style? Let us know!
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