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Postpartum Hair Fall: Causes, Timeline & Treatment
If you’re a new mother, you've likely experienced postpartum hair fall along with other physical changes. Also called telogen effluvium, it causes temporary, but excessive hair fall, as estrogen levels plummet after childbirth. Postpartum hair fall duration lasts as long as the first year post-pregnancy.
If you’re wondering, when does postpartum hair fall start? We have listed below the journey.
Months 0-2 – Your hair looks healthy and strong, as your hormone levels still haven’t dropped.
Months 2-3 – You may feel a slight shift in your hair’s texture and observe some hair fall.
Months 4-6 – Postpartum hair fall peaks when the estrogen levels (that were riding high during your pregnancy) suddenly drop, causing the hair follicles to shift to the telogen phase and fall out in abundance.
Months 7-9 – Your hair shedding phase comes to an end, and you see baby hair forming near your hairline.
Months 9-12 – Your hair starts regrowing and recovers to its pre-pregnancy state.
With postpartum hair treatment options like Platelet-Rich-Plasma Therapy, Low-Light Laser Therapy, topical solutions like Minoxidil, and natural methods, you can restore your hair’s strength.
New mothers undergo an incredible transformation during and post-pregnancy. And as they begin to settle into this new life, there’s one more change that they don’t account for – postpartum hair fall. As a result, you’re finding an increasing number of hair strands on your pillowcase, in your hairbrush or shower drain a few months after childbirth.
What is postpartum hair fall?
Postpartum hair fall, also scientifically known as telogen effluvium, is a condition that affects new mothers. While the first few months post childbirth may seem normal, you might start experiencing increasing hair fall by the third month. This can feel overwhelming, and it can take a toll, not only on your body, but also on your identity and confidence levels.
If you’re wondering where this sudden hair fall is emerging from, don’t worry; you’re not alone! It has nothing to do with your lifestyle, but everything to do with your hormones.
How common is it?
While androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of hair fall, every new mother goes through postpartum hair fall a few months after their delivery. However, the amount of hair fall varies from one woman to another.
Understanding the hair growth cycle
The hair growth cycle is indeed an interesting one. Hair grows through small pores present on the skin of your scalp, called follicles. This doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, your hair is always in the process of growing and hair fall.
This cycle occurs in three phases:
- Anagen: This is the longest phase, during which your hair actively grows half an inch per month. At any given time, 85-90% of your hair is in this phase. It lasts about 2-8 years for the hair on your scalp.
- Catagen: This phase marks the end of the anagen phase. Although the catagen phase lasts only about 2 weeks, it causes hair to shrink and slows hair growth. Only 1-3% of your scalp hair is undergoing this transition between the growth and resting phase.
- Telogen: Telogen is the resting phase of your hair. Hair growth temporarily stops here, but your hair doesn’t fall off; it stays put. This stage lasts for about 2-3 months, and about 9% of your scalp is in this phase at any given time. Telogen is also the phase when new hair starts to form in the follicles, replacing those that have been released in the catagen phase.
- Exogen: A mere extension of the telogen stage, exogen is the shedding phase in the growth cycle. Practices like washing or brushing your hair can push out the old hair. It is considered normal to lose about 50-100 strands a day.
How pregnancy changes your hair cycle
The pregnancy glow is real, not just for your skin, but also for your hair. You must have felt your hair grow into long lush locks during pregnancy. Its sheer density and thickness are owed to your body, which turns into a hormone powerhouse. High levels of estrogen in the first and second trimesters make your hair look fuller.
Why does postpartum hair fall happen?
While seeing clumps of hair breaking every day and postpartum hair fall may seem distressing, you have nothing to worry about. This kind of hair fall is only temporary. There are many factors that can trigger postpartum hair fall.
Drop in estrogen levels
Estrogen levels are at the highest during pregnancy, which extends the hair’s growth phase. Post pregnancy, women experience a dramatic drop in the estrogen levels, which causes several hair follicles to enter the shedding phase all at once. This synchronised shedding is known as Telogen Effluvium. However, there is nothing to panic!
Your hair has grown beautifully in the 9 months that you were expecting. This sudden, immense hair shedding is an indication that your hair follicles are trying to get back to the natural shedding pattern that was delayed during pregnancy.
Consecutive pregnancies
Back-to-back pregnancies can lead to intense hair fall, because your hair cycles have undergone too many changes in a short time. The repeated hormonal fluctuations can weaken your hair roots overtime, making them more prone to breakage.
Stress and sleep deprivation
The entire process of pregnancy and childbirth is stressful. And it doesn’t stop there. Your stress levels are bound to skyrocket once your little one is born. The constant care, the late nights, and the toil it takes on your body - ‘baby blues’ are real.
While stress doesn’t directly have an impact on postpartum hair fall, high cortisol levels act as a catalyst in aggravating hairfall. Stress accompanied by sleep deprivation also tends to cause more hair breakage. Therefore, it is necessary to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep.
Breastfeeding
Lactating and breastfeeding women often experience hormonal changes which can cause hair fall. The prolactin hormone produced during breastfeeding contains low estrogen levels, which prolongs the telogen phase. Therefore, breastfeeding women experience postpartum hair fall for 12-15 months.
Signs and symptoms of postpartum hair fall
Now that we know what causes this postpartum hair fall, here are some early signs to watch out for -
- A visible reduction in hair density
- Finding a fistful of hair after combing or washing
- A wider part line in your hair
- Hair thinning at the crown
- Bald spots appearing on the scalp
Postpartum hair fall timeline
Women go through a rollercoaster of hair fall and regrowth. A month-wise breakdown can clarify when does postpartum hair fall start and stop after pregnancy.
Month 1:
In the initial few weeks, your body is still recovering from your entire pregnancy journey and labour. But your hair continues to look luscious, fuller, and thicker. Although your hormonal and estrogen levels have still not dropped, you can take this time to rest and recover.
Now that you know that women inevitably go through hair changes, you can make the most of your first month. Your scalp is sensitive during postpartum recovery. So, make gentle hair care a part of your daily routine. This includes the following:
- Use sulphate- and paraben-free shampoo.
- Massage your hair daily with lukewarm oil.
- Avoid heat styling or undergoing chemical treatments.
- Avoid tying your hair tightly. You can either make a bun or tie your hair into a loose braid.
The first month acts as calm before the storm that brings about noticeable changes in your hair’s density.
Months 2 and 3:
As time passes, you may observe a shift in your hair’s texture. It may feel less shiny, bouncy, or silky. This is an early marker of your hair gradually transitioning back to how it was before pregnancy.
Remember that you’re still in the early stages, and your hair care is in your control. This is the best time to build habits that would culminate into strong hair. Include nutritious, balanced, and healthy foods into your diet, drink adequate water, and practice yoga or meditation to manage stress.
Months 4-6:
Wondering ‘When does postpartum hair fall start’? Here comes the chaos – the months where you experience exponential postpartum hair fall. This is the most challenging phase for women because apart from taking care of your child, you also need to now take good care of your hair.
hair fall peaks during this time because your hormone levels drop rapidly. And all the hair that was in its anagen phase is suddenly pushed to the telogen phase, triggering postpartum hair fall.
This hormonal shift indicates that instead of losing your typical 50-100 strands a day, new mothers may experience hair fall at a quantum of 200-400 hair strands per day. As scary as it sounds, this is just your hair follicles’ way of catching up on months of delayed hair fall. Your body is finally re-adjusting to your standard hormone levels before pregnancy.
This is a natural cycle, so there’s very little you can do about controlling the amount of hair fall. But you can manage your hair in a way that doesn’t tug at the follicles. Wash your hair only once or twice a week to avoid unnecessary hair damage. Comb your wet hair with a wide-toothed brush or use your fingers to untangle your strands to prevent further breakage.
Months 7-9:
So, when does postpartum hair fall stop? By this time, you have bypassed the most daunting phase for your hair. During these months, the intense shedding phase begins to subside.
While you still continue to lose 50-100 strands of hair a day naturally, little by little, your hair regrowth becomes apparent. It starts with delicate baby hair growing along the hairline and crown. While at first glance, they may seem like fuzzy flyaway, they start being more visible near the forehead and temple.
Your hair texture may also feel a bit different. New hair may feel softer and appear lighter in colour; it gradually darkens as the hair matures. Take postpartum hair fall vitamins or multivitamins containing iron, biotin, and vitamin D to support healthy hair regrowth. Consume foods rich in protein, leafy-green vegetables, and healthy fats, like Omega-3 fatty acids, which build keratin, the foundation of strong hair.
Months 10-12:
You’re well into your hair regrowth phase. The reduced shedding must feel like a burden off your chest (or in this case, your hair). Your hair growth is more pronounced, it feels stronger, and less brittle, and hair thickness eventually returns.
Safe treatments for postpartum hair fall
While natural postpartum hair fall treatment methods and gentle hair care are always preferred, it takes time to see a difference in your hair regrowth cycle. But powered by advanced medical and clinical treatments, you can observe a visible difference in your hair growth.
- It is normal to be skeptical about medical treatments like Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine), but this topical solution is FDA-approved. It is available in liquid or foam solutions (2% and 5% concentration), and also as an over-the-counter prescription. Minoxidil helps increase blood flow to your scalp and follicles, thereby extending the hair’s anagen cycle.
- Postpartum hair fall remedy also includes leveraging low-level laser therapies (LLLT). It uses varying wavelengths of laser light to stimulate cellular activity in hair follicles and also reduces inflammation in the scalp.
- Plasma-Rich Platelet (PRP) Therapy uses a patient’s own concentrated plasma, which is injected into the scalp’s damaged tissues to boost healing and reduce pain.
Every new mother’s postpartum journey is unique, and hair regrowth is just one aspect of how remarkable a woman’s body is and what it is capable of. Traya can help a great deal with your hair’s natural recovery process. The Ultimate Hair Supplements Combo is a powerhouse of all natural ingredients. Think – Biotin, Ashwagandha, Guduchi, Bhringraj, Arjuna, Pumpkin Seed Extract, and Green Tea Extract. All these authentic ingredients rejuvenate hair follicles and target the root cause of hair damage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Will my hair grow back after postpartum hair fall?
Yes, your hair will grow back after you have experienced postpartum hair fall. Unlike androgenetic alopecia or lichen planopilaris, hair fall caused after pregnancy can be treated and regrown with medical, clinical, and natural treatment methods.
2. Can postpartum hair fall be prevented?
No, postpartum hair fall is inevitably a part of a woman’s pregnancy journey. Hormonal changes are bound to occur as the pregnancy progresses and a year after delivery. So, while you cannot control your rising or dropping estrogen levels, you can look after and maintain your hair quality. Consume nutritious food, manage your stress levels, stay active, get adequate sleep, and include gentle hair care practices to support healthy hair growth.
3. Does postpartum hair fall differ based on delivery?
Be it childbirth via vaginal delivery method or cesarean method, the hormonal changes remain the same, which triggers hair postpartum hair fall. The hair fall is related to pregnancy and not the birth process.
4. When should you see a doctor?
Consult a healthcare specialist if you experience persistent postpartum hair fall despite consistently caring and managing your hair. Here are a few more reasons to beware of -
- Your hair fall continues intensely beyond 6 months
- You observe bald patches on your hair scalp
- Your hair hasn’t started regrowing after 12 months
- You experience symptoms like fatigue or weight loss
- Underlying conditions, such as thyroid disorders, androgenetic alopecia, or nutritional deficiencies may also obstruct hair restoration
5. Can hair fall affect your baby?
No, postpartum hair fall is not linked to your baby’s health. You’re navigating your hair fall journey all by yourself.
However, long strands of hair that fall out may get wrapped with your baby’s toes, fingers, or other body parts. This rare occurrence is termed as a hair tourniquet and may cut off the blood supply and cause pain. If you notice this, unwind the hair or cut it off carefully.
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