Postpartum Hair Loss: How To Deal With Post-Pregnancy Hair Loss

Pregnancy brings with it a whole set of physical and mental issues and some of the problems do not cease even after the baby has been successfully delivered. Hair loss is one such problem; many women have to deal with post-pregnancy Hair Loss.  

Hair loss decreases at the time of pregnancy because of the increased levels of estrogen and higher blood volume and circulation. However, after pregnancy, the hormone levels drop and this leads to a rise in hair fall. The hormones force the hairs that are in the growing phase to enter the resting phase suddenly. You lose a lot more than the 100 hairs that you are supposed to lose. The total amount of hair loss might not be as much as you might have lost across the nine months of pregnancy but since the hair fall is happening all at once, it appears to be more than usual. 

The period of postpartum hair loss might extend to a year after pregnancy and is at its maximum 4 months after pregnancy.  But postpartum hair fall after 1 year is not common and if you are experiencing the same you might be suffering from other hair problems. So, there is no real cause for concern if you are losing hair rapidly during this time. 

Postpartum Hair Loss Remedy

It is not necessary to take radical steps to deal with post-pregnancy hair loss issues; however, if you are concerned you could take certain steps to ensure that you are quickly on the road to recovery. 

• Use Heat Tools Sparingly: Air drying your hair is recommended. Do not use dryers or hair curlers as they may make your hair look thinner.

• Brushing: Do not brush your hair more than once a day and brush softly.

• Diet: Include a lot of fresh foods like fruits and vegetables in your diet. Eggs and protein-rich foods are vital for hair health. Also, remember to include dark leafy greens which have good iron content apart from carrots which have beta-carotene and omega-3-rich foods. Remember to include fruits and berries in your diet as they help in augmenting hair thickness and growth. They also help in increasing keratin production to add shine and volume to your hair.

• Flax Seed Oil: This is a natural treatment for hair loss and is easily available. It is enrich vitamin E content which is good for prevention of  flaking & breakage of hair and also enhances new hair growth. You need to use flax seed oil as a preconditioning rinse after you are done with shampooing. Apply it thoroughly to your scalp and hair and after 15 minutes you can rinse it out and proceed with your normal conditioning routine. This will help in faster postpartum hair loss regrowth.

• Supplements: Do get in touch with your doctor and include vitamins and other supplements. This is important as even though vitamins might not be directly related to hair loss, they have an impact on the overall health of the individual. This is even more necessary for breastfeeding mothers.

• Volumizing Shampoos: Volumizing shampoos add lustre to your hair as opposed to conditioners which might make your hair appear thin and limp. 

Postpartum Hair Loss Home Remedies

There are a number of simple home remedies that are very effective in preventing hair fall in females post-pregnancy. These include some very beneficial ayurvedic home remedies. The ayurvedic treatment success depends on the balance of the vata, pitta, and kapha doshas. Since the pitta dosha is connected to the metabolism of the body, hair fall is also related to this dosha. This balance of the doshas can be achieved with a combination of diet, lifestyle, and hair loss treatments. Let’s find out about a few beneficial home remedies for hair fall. 

• Scalp massage: Using hair oils that contain jatamansi, amla, aloe vera, bhringraj, or shikakai for a massage will help increase blood circulation and assist in hair growth. Roast a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds. Soak the seeds in coconut oil for 2 hours. Strain the seeds before you apply it and warm the oil. Apply it thoroughly to your hair and scalp and wash it off with a mild shampoo after an hour.

• Protein Treatment At Home: Since eggs have rich protein content, it is a potent remedy to strengthen hair in combination with other ingredients. Add 10 drops of rosemary oil and 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel to an egg white. Mix this well and apply this all over the hair and scalp. Cover your head with a shower cap so that your scalp can soak in all the goodness of the blend. Wash off your hair after half an hour. Use this remedy twice a week to control post-pregnancy hair loss effectively. Add curd to your diet as this will help increase calcium content in your body which will help in improved hair growth.

• Aloe Vera Treatment: Vitamin and enzyme-rich aloe vera is very effective in preparing a hair mask that will arrest hair fall and enhance hair regrowth. Mix 5 drops of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of curd with 3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. Make a smooth paste and apply it to your hair and scalp.  Wash it off after half an hour with cool water and shampoo.

• Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is a fantastic option to keep your hair nourished and well-conditioned. This helps prevent hair fall and augment hair growth. Dip a ball of coconut oil in coconut oil and apply it to your hair roots. Wash your hair with water after half an hour.

• Bhringraj: This is considered to be a very potent remedy for hair fall. You can grind a handful of bhringraj leaves to a paste, mix it with milk and add it to your scalp and hair.

• Sleep: Good sleep is one of the most important remedies to facilitate postpartum hair growth. The growth hormone comes from the pituitary gland and your body can reap its actual benefits when you sleep. This helps in hair growth and also enhances the beauty of your skin, During this time the effect of the harmful free radicals on the body is also minimized.

• Stress: You have to learn how to manage stress through a combination of wellness activities such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises among other things. These activities will help relax your body and will help you deal with stress effectively. For new mothers, the act of taking a walk after a sleepless night of baby care or breastfeeding might appear cumbersome but these crucial self-care activities will go a long way in helping you combat stress and activate hair growth. 

You can help supplement all the above with a healthy, nutritious diet with the following fruits for enhanced keratin production in the hair follicles. 

• Apple has rich vitamin A and is loaded with antioxidants.

• Kiwi is a wonderful source of vitamins C, E, and K and also has good potassium content. This helps prevent hair and also premature greying and dandruff. It facilitates better blood circulation in the scalp.

• Avocados are a superfood filled with vitamins A, B, C & E apart from linoleic acid, iron, biotin, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. It helps in conditioning the hair and also helps in hair growth.

• Oranges are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants and prevent dandruff, scalp infections, and hair fall.

• Papayas deliver much-needed moisture to your hair. It has very potent anti-fungal properties and helps prevent hair thinning.

• Grapes have chemical compounds and antioxidants which reduce cell damage. It helps in curbing dihydrotestosterone production which leads to hair loss.

• Gooseberries help in augmenting the growth of the hair follicles with their rich vitamin C and antioxidant content. 

Include vegetables such as 

• Kale, collards, and spinach as they assist in preventing hair loss. These green, leafy vegetables assist in iron, beta carotene, folate, and vitamins A and C. Iron helps the red blood cells carry oxygen which aids in the growth and repair of the hair follicles.

• Garlic assists in hair regrowth

• Pumpkins have vitamins A and E, irons, and beta-carotene which help repair damaged cells and augment hair growth.

• Tomatoes help in removing toxins from the scalp and their good antioxidant content has effective cell-repairing effects on the body. 

Include nuts such as almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, and brazil nuts as they contain zinc which enhances the health of hair. It also has alpha-linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids which have natural hair-conditioning properties. 

Fatty fish, shrimp, and oysters are a great source of proteins, B vitamins, vitamin D 3, selenium, and omega fatty acids which help in enhanced hair growth. You can also include fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and red herrings for better hair growth. Shrimps also have good zinc, vitamins D & B, and iron to facilitate rapid hair growth. 

Postpartum Hair Loss Shampoo

Postpartum hair loss shampoos are also very effective in controlling hair loss. But it is extremely important to select the right shampoo which is safe for the mother as well as the baby. 

Sulfate-free shampoos: Always use sulfate-free shampoos to wash your hair as despite being very helpful in cleansing hair they are also harsh and strip the hair of its natural oils and make them brittle.

Artificial dyes and fragrances: There are also a number of dyes and fragrances in shampoos that are alcohol-based and could have a harmful effect on your hair. 

Paraben-free shampoos: Parabens also dry your hair, cause irritation and lead to loss of hair color. Do try to avoid them at all times to offer your hair the best opportunities for enhanced growth. 

Takeaway

Postpartum hair loss is quite common and you need not be unduly concerned if the hair loss extends from 6 months to a year after pregnancy. But if you experience postpartum hair loss after 1 year, you might require medical attention. If you are yet concerned you can approach us at Traya, but before that do remember to take the Traya hair test as that will help us lead you to a quicker resolution of your hair issues.

FAQs

Q1 - How Can I Stop My Hair From Falling Out After Pregnancy?

Ans - To prevent hair loss after pregnancy you should develop an appropriate exercise regime. You also need to cultivate a nutrition-rich diet to help your body recover faster. Take the doctor’s advice for vitamin and mineral supplements.

Q2 - Can Breastfeeding Cause Hair Loss?

Ans - Breastfeeding does not cause hair loss. This is very common during the post-pregnancy and breastfeeding period and happens due to changing hormone levels.