With women, the joys of motherhood are closely followed by post-delivery issues that bring in more and more problems with each passing day. One of the significant problems that women face is postpartum hair loss which they have to deal with. This is quite distressing for the ladies and before jumping to quick-fix remedies it would be advisable to find out the root cause of the problem. The reasons could extend beyond stress or extended baby-caring schedules.
Why Is Hair Loss Common After Pregnancy?
Hair loss is common during pregnancy as hormonal changes that happen due to childbirth affect every woman whether at greater or lesser levels. The hormonal changes contribute to increased hair growth during pregnancy and also at the same time lead to excess loss of hair after pregnancy. This hair loss seems even more severe because of the exaggerated hair growth during pregnancy. During this time, the growing or anagen hair suddenly enters the resting or telogen phase. This is however a temporary phenomenon and the hair fall normally continues for 6 months after delivery with hair regaining its full cycle of growth by the time the child turns 1.
Benefits Of Using Natural Home Remedies To Address Hair Loss
The use of natural remedies to control hair loss is always suggested as the chemicals present in other hair products could also lead to harmful side effects that could adversely affect your hair adversely. Not only do natural remedies help restrict hair fall, they also help improve hair strength and quality.
Let us talk about some effective home remedies for hair fall after pregnancy:
- Hair Mask: This is one of the simplest and easiest ways of improving the strength of your hair. Eggs have good protein content that assists in faster hair growth and prevents split ends. It also has zinc, sulfur, and phosphorus that will help add to the improving quality of your hair. Add a teaspoon each of olive oil and honey to an egg. Apply this thoroughly to your hair from the roots to the tips. Wash it off after half an hour with a mild shampoo.
- Curry Leaves: Curry leaves are potent antioxidants with good vitamin A, B, C, and E content. They are very good for hair growth and curb premature greying of hair. You can crush a handful of curry leaves and apply the paste to your hair and wash it off after half an hour. This is one of the most effective Indian home remedies for hair fall after delivery.
- Amla And Lime Juice Hair Pack: Amla is an excellent remedy for hair fall as it strengthens hair roots. It has rich vitamin C content that helps enhance the quality of your hair in many ways and also prevents premature greying of hair. The phytonutrients in amla improve blood circulation in the scalp to provide essential nutrients to the hair and augment its growth. Mix a few drops of lime juice with a teaspoon of amla juice to make a thick paste. Apply this to your scalp and along the length of your hair. Wash it off after half an hour with lukewarm water.
- Coconut Oil Massage: You can use coconut oil or any essential oil of your preference to give your hair a nice nourishing massage. This is helpful in triggering hair growth as it facilitates blood flow and improves scalp health. In the case of coconut oil, it has lauric acid that is capable of penetrating conveniently inside the hair shaft and curbing the loss of hair proteins. A massage will help the growth and thickness of the dermal papilla cells which are located at the bottom of the hair follicles. These cells play a crucial role in the hair regrowth and shedding cycle.
- Fenugreek For Hair: This is an excellent remedy to repair damaged follicles and help in healthy hair growth. Fenugreek has ample protein content to nourish the hair and prevent dandruff issues. They help immensely in adding bounce and shine to your hair. Soak a couple of teaspoons of fenugreek seeds overnight in water. Make a paste of it the following morning and apply it to your scalp hair. Wash it off after half an hour with cold water.
Tips To Prevent Hair Fall After Pregnancy
Experts call for a comprehensive change in lifestyle to prevent hair fall as well as to grow stronger strands after pregnancy. While acquiring the right treatment for hair loss is necessary, one should also focus on following a good diet and certain good hair habits to achieve optimum hair health.
Nutrition: Proper nutrition is one of the most essential steps for preventing hair loss. Vitamins A, B, C, and D with protein, zinc selenium, and iron all provide the necessities for new cell growth.
Fish such as salmon and green leafy vegetables and vegetables like broccoli and carrot are rich in vitamin A which helps in the production of sebum and propels hair growth.
B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins and the deficiencies of these vitamins are known to lead to hair loss. They help in stimulating keratin production and carry fresh oxygen and important nutrients to augment hair cell growth. Lean meats, fish like tuna & salmon, vegetables like broccoli & spinach, eggs, milk, yogurt, and fruits such as bananas and papayas are all good sources of B-vitamins.
Amla, oranges, and lemons are good sources of vitamin C and help combat the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. It helps produce collagen which is important for your hair structure.
The production of vitamin D happens naturally when you are in direct contact with sunlight. Reduced levels of vitamin D could hamper hair growth. Fish such as tuna & mackerel, dairy products, and eggs are good sources of vitamin D.
Vitamin E enhances capillary circulation in the scalp and helps in the growth of hair. Vitamin E capsules are a good option as you can use them on your hair thrice a week with coconut or olive oil.
Iron is extremely essential for the growth of hair as when the body does not have enough iron it cannot produce the required hemoglobin for the repair of the hair cells. Red meat, oysters, clams, spinach eggs, and lentils have very good iron content.
Whenever people experience a reduced rate of hair growth and hair loss, insufficient zinc intake might be the reason. The body cannot store zinc and this is the reason why zinc levels have to be replenished on a regular basis. Seafood, red meat, and poultry are great sources of zinc. Nuts, beans, and dairy products also have good zinc content.
Apart from a good diet one needs to take greater care while styling your hair. There are things that you can do and things that could be avoided:
Styling: Restrict the use of heat-styling tools such as dry irons or curlers as they reduce your hair volume and make your strands look thinner. Brush gently and preferably do it once a day.
Shampoos: Use volumizing shampoos to give your hair a fuller look as conditioning shampoos could make your hair look limp.
Reduce Stress: Though this is easier said than done, it could make a big difference in regulating your hormones and leading you toward faster hair repair. Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises are some of the ways in which you can reduce stress.
Haircut: New moms can also take advantage of hair cut which would make the hair loss appear less than it actually is. Also, avoid putting additional stress on your hair, do not opt for tight ponytails and braids.
Use Natural Hair Products: Curb the use of chemical products on your hair. Do not use harsh gels or strong dyes as they weaken your hair. Use natural oils to enhance hair shine and prevent hair fall. Adding peppermint oil to shampoo is a good option as it helps improve hair shine.
Takeaway
Postpartum hair loss is a difficult time for all women but if well managed you could reduce your hair loss to a minimum. The right diet and proper stress control measures could offset the hormonal imbalance issues that pregnancy brings with it. But before that, it would help to find out more about your hair issues in detail. Do take the Traya hair test to get a correct diagnosis of your hair. You can then schedule an appointment with our experts to make your journey towards stronger hair easier.
FAQs
Q1 - What Is The Best Hair Oil For Hair fall After Delivery?
Ans - Coconut oil is widely recognized as the best postpartum oil for hair loss. This is because it has great moisturizing properties thus enabling it to hydrate dry hair after pregnancy.
Q2 - What Is The Reason For Hair Fall After Delivery?
Ans - Postpartum hair loss happens due to changes in the estrogen hormone levels during and after pregnancy. The estrogen levels increase during the last trimester of pregnancy and this results in greater hair loss.
Q3 - How To Treat Postpartum Hair Loss Naturally?
Ans - Caffeine is one of the most effective ways to treat hair loss naturally. It augments hair follicle growth and adds to its thickness. Coconut oil and flaxseed oil also have natural nutrients that boost hair growth.
