One of the perks of being pregnant is that you get to have thick, shiny locks. Unfortunately, this is not something you get to keep forever. After childbirth, you are going to shed the excess hair; this is what is known as post-partum hair loss, also called post-partum alopecia. Around 40 to 50 per cent of women who have given birth experience post-partum hair loss.
Why Does Post-Partum Hair Loss Happen?
During pregnancy, hormonal and other physiological changes like increase in oestrogen, blood volume and circulation within your body happen. These changes keep your hair in the growth phase longer than usual. Hence, a decrease in hair loss takes place during pregnancy. Instead of shedding an average of 100 hairs per day, you may lose half of that or even less.
When you give birth, your oestrogen level and physiological processes normalise as well as your locks’ growth cycle. This is when you start losing hair. As shedding has not occurred for quite a while, you lose clumps of hair during this time. However, this doesn’t mean that the volume of hair you are going to lose is equivalent to what you were supposed to for the past nine months.
Despite most women being informed about post-partum hair loss, many still get alarmed upon seeing the amount of hair they are losing. While it may seem that you are shedding too much of your locks, the reality is that it only looks excessive because it’s taking place all at once.
Typically, hair loss begins days after you give birth. Moreover, it can be at its worst after four months. While post-partum hair loss is inevitable, it is temporary. It gets resolved on its own after six months. In some cases, it takes a year before it goes away.
If you continue losing clumps of hair beyond the one year mark, it’s best that you consult a dermatologist. Sometimes, the excessive hair loss may be a sign of other conditions such as postpartum thyroiditis. Seeing a dermatologist is essential to get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
How To Treat Post-Partum Hair Loss?
As mentioned earlier, post-partum hair loss is normal. Treatment is not necessary since the problem corrects itself after several months. However, there are things you can do so as not to exacerbate the situation. For example, brushing your locks too hard or sporting tight hairstyles may cause more hair to fall. Meanwhile, repeatedly using styling tools such as curling irons make the hair dry and brittle. So, avoid using them as much as possible during this sensitive period.
You can also observe practices to keep your hair healthy. You can eat foods which can improve the health of your hair such as fish rich in omega 3 and magnesium, dark and leafy vegetables, eggs, etc. You may also take supplements like biotin, known to help keep the hair healthy. However, be sure to consult your doctor first before taking them.
You can also take steps to make your hair look thick like using a volumising shampoo. It is also best to avoid conditioning shampoos as this can make your locks look thinner. Lastly, consider having a shorter hairstyle since it can make your hair fuller.
To learn more about how to deal with post-partum hair loss, call us at (0)1 6793618 and talk to our specialists.
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Photo by phil41dean 
