Following childbirth, many women experience a significant increase in hair loss known as postpartum shedding. It may be noticeable in your hairbrush and hands when touching your hair, or even in the overall feel and look of your hair’s volume. Distressing as it can be, know that it is normal – and there are things you can do to minimise the effects, as two top trichologists explain below.
Causes of postnatal hair loss
On average we all shed between 50 to 100 hairs a day – we just don’t really notice. In pregnancy this number is less due to rising oestrogen levels. As trichologist Anabel Kingsley tells Bazaar, “this keeps hairs in the anagen (growth) phase of the hair growth cycle for longer than usual” – hence why hair often feels thicker and fuller when you’re expecting. “However, once the baby is born, or breastfeeding is stopped, oestrogen levels drop and return to normal,” causing about 50 per cent of us to experience postpartum hair loss around six to 12 weeks later. Here, hairs that were kept in the growth phase move all at once into the telogen (shedding) phase, creating substantial hair fall.
Trichologist Eva Proudman adds that it’s not only fluctuations in hormones at play, but multiple factors. Postnatal hair shedding, she reveals, can also be caused by “a loss of blood during the birth, a lack of sleep, increased anxiety and diet”. While it doesn’t matter what type of delivery you have, “you do find different types of pain and physical discomfort from the different births [caesarean section or vaginal], blood loss and fatigue can also really vary – and these two factors will affect postpartum shedding,” she explains. “A very traumatic birth with a greater blood loss may impact underlying blood stores, that in turn exacerbate hair loss and may be a factor in a slow or non-recovery of the excessive hair shedding.”
Kingsley too says that certain factors can cause hair loss after pregnancy to continue for longer. The most common of these are an improper diet, nutritional deficiencies and stress – “all of which are more likely with the responsibility of looking after a baby”. Thanks Mother Nature.
But both hair loss experts explain that the loss is usually temporary – distressing as it is either way. “The shedding should stop on its own and all hairs lost will grow back,” confirms Kingsley. “This is due to the body normalising the hormone levels and replenishing stored iron following any blood loss,” says Proudman.
If hair loss continues with no sign of slowing then Proudman says to seek advice from a trichologist, “who will explore other underlying causes that may need to be resolved to ensure recovery from this”.
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Treatments for postnatal hair loss
1) Lifestyle
To encourage new growth, try to eat a diet rich in protein and iron. “The hair requires 25 per cent of our daily protein intake, so make sure you are following a good diet with plenty of protein included,” notes Proudman. As iron stores can be depleted during birth, “iron-rich foods such as red meat and green vegetables eaten together are the most easily absorbed form of iron that you can include in your diet”.
And don’t neglect the carbs. “If you leave longer than four hours between meals, snack on a complex carbohydrate,” says Kingsley. “Energy to form hair cells drops after this amount of time.”
When it comes to sleep – the most necessary yet elusive of needs for new mothers – “napping when baby is asleep should be taken advantage of if you can,” advises Proudman, “as the hair is the second fastest dividing cell in the body and needs adequate sleep”. One can try.
2) Supplements
While your diet should be carefully considered postnatally, the jury is still out on whether supplementing it with over-the-counter vitamins is always beneficial.
Kingley feels that “supplements can also be extremely helpful as they provide the body with additional nutrients to produce hair cells”. You could try the Philip Kingsley Tricho Complex, however she would advise that anyone check with their GP first. Other supplements designed to boost hair health in new mothers (and considered safe for those breastfeeding) include the Vitabiotics New Mum and Hairburst Healthy Hair for New Mums.
However, Proudman points out that a good diet should provide all of the nutrients required for our general and hair health, although everyone has a different dietary intake and gut function. “If someone does not eat enough protein, for example, the body will use it for vital functions, leaving the hair to use underlying vitamin and mineral stores. These stores can become depleted and may need supplementation to reach normal levels again.” But she feels that supplements should only be taken if they are genuinely required, and that “taking them as a precaution is really not necessary”. So, if you have a condition that prevents you from absorbing nutrients well, have blood tests taken first to establish a baseline and supplemention advised on this basis.
3) Scalp care
The scalp is generally considered the gateway to healthy hair growth, and both pros note that it’s all the more imperative to look after it when experiencing postnatal hair loss.
“Looking after our scalp is as important as our skincare regime,” states Proudman. “It needs daily cleansing with shampoo to ensure that skin cells, sebum, dust and the detritus of the day is removed, keeping it clean and well-balanced. When you look at a scalp under microscopy it is amazing what you see; if we could all do this we would wash our hair more frequently.” Hair washing may well be a luxury for new mothers, but her advice is to try and prioritise it. Try the Kerastase Genesis range – haircare specifically formulated to have an ‘anti-fall’ effect.
In addition, Proudman suggests a once-weekly scalp scrub, “to help to ensure that the scalp is kept really clear and to also stimulate the micro-circulation that then encourages hair growth”. When choosing your scalp scrub, look for exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid. “This will really help to dissolve any plugs of sebum or skin cells that are sitting in the hair follicles. It can also reduce any bacterial growth that can occur due to scratching and will give a much healthier scalp environment for healthy hair growth.” She recommends the Malin + Goetz Detox Scalp Mask.
You could also consider a weekly application of a leave-on stimulating treatment to help optimise the scalp environment and support the growth of new hairs. Try The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment, or another option shoppable below.
Meanwhile, if the loss leaves your hair looking significantly thinner or patchy, a root concealer is a good temporary solution to replace some lost density. Try a product originally designed for those experiencing hair loss like Mane’s Hair Thickening Spray, applied along the hair line and parting, while your hair regrows.
Prevention in pregnancy?
If you are currently pregnant, or planning future pregnancies, you can start supporting your hair health now to maximise its condition postnatally.
“Follow a really good diet during your pregnancy and ensure a good supply of protein and iron-rich foods,” says Proudman. “Prepare in advance if you can by batch cooking nutritional meals that you can eat when you have had the baby, this will ensure good nutrition post-birth and will help to keep your stress levels down.”
She also suggests “regular shampooing to keep the hair and scalp clean, conditioner to keep the hair smooth and shiny, and a scalp detox once a week to keep a healthy scalp giving you the best hair-growth environment possible”. Don’t underestimate the rejuvenating power of a good haircut, too – before or after a baby it can boost the condition of your locks–and your confidence–no end.
Ultimately, expect some changes throughout your journey into motherhood (which may be good and bad) and try to take them in your stride. But, Proudman adds, “if things don’t feel or look right then book an appointment that will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and take away any fear that you may be losing your hair”.
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