Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a transition of a woman from a wife to a mother. There are numerous physical and mental changes that a woman may experience after pregnancy due to the many hormonal alterations occurring in the body during that period. Though, not all the listed changes necessarily occur in every woman, the changes may vary depending on her body type and the care taken during and after pregnancy. Hair loss after pregnancy is one such physical after-effect that commonly occurs in around 75% women after child-birth.

Reasons for Hair Loss in Women after Pregnancy
Normally, every woman loses around 30-100 hair everyday, either when you brush or wash your hair. A pregnant woman loses very less hair compared to a normal woman due to the hormonal changes occurring in her body during pregnancy.

In a normal woman, around 10% to 15% of the scalp hair are in the resting phase at every point of time. This phase is medically known as the telogen phase, which is the last phase of hair cycle growth. The hair in this phase fall off while brushing or washing. The rest of the hair are in the growing phase and transitional phase. Growing phase, also known as the anagen phase, is the phase in which the hair are growing; this is the first phase of hair growth cycle. Around 80%-90% scalp hair are in this phase at any point of time. Transitional phase, medically known as the catagen phase, is a phase when the hair is transiting from the growing phase to the resting phase; around 2%-3% scalp hair are in this phase at any point of time.

During pregnancy, the increased levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen in the body prevent hair from falling. The hair that are in the resting phase transit to a protected phase due to the hormones. Scalp hair becomes thicker during pregnancy, in fact, it may become more thick than your usual hair. However, once the baby is delivered, the body metabolism starts stabilizing and the hormone levels return to normal. Therefore, the hair which was till now in the protected phase go back to the resting phase and start falling off. Usually, this stage of increased hair fall will remain from one month to six months after child-birth. Though the hair loss may be severe, it does not cause visible baldness. New hair will start to grow and the normal hair growth cycle will resume within a year. Also, post-pregnancy stress and nutrition loss due to breastfeeding can be alternative reasons for hair loss in women.

How to Stop Hair Loss after Pregnancy?
Hair loss after pregnancy is very normal and moreover, it is a temporary process. Below are a few hair loss solutions to prevent losing your hair after pregnancy.

• Since hair are more prone to breakage after pregnancy, it is very important that you handle them with extra care while brushing and washing.
• Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair, especially when they are wet.
• Avoid using any harmful chemicals on hair, use a hair fall prevention shampoo and conditioner. Herbal products will be more suitable.
• Try not to tie up hair too tightly that can easily cause them to break or fall off. If tying a ponytail or braiding hair, take care to tie them loosely.
• Eat a nutritious diet; consuming a high protein diet and incorporating foods rich in iron will prove beneficial for hair. Before that consult with the doctor about what to include in the diet, as you do not want any unnecessary problems while you are still breastfeeding your baby.
• Avoid using heating appliances like dryers or hair irons on hair.
• Light oil massages will be beneficial for hair.
• Last but not the least, try a new shorter hair style if the hair loss is grave.

Read more on:

• Hair loss prevention.
• Natural hair loss remedies.

Some women experience hair loss during pregnancy. Hair loss during pregnancy can be due to the birth control pills that are consumed until just before pregnancy. If she discontinues the medicine right before pregnancy, the hair loss that is seen thereafter, is mistakenly associated with pregnancy. If you are experiencing normal or increased hair fall during pregnancy and, birth control pills are not the reason for it, it is suggested that you should talk to the doctor regarding the problem. Hair loss after pregnancy is not a serious issue and can be handled easily with efficient care. However, if excessive hair loss after pregnancy is observed for a long duration, it is better to consult with the doctor.