During pregnancy, you may notice a thick and lustrous mane. However, soon after you deliver, it may begin to shed excessively. This is quite normal and a result of the hormonal changes that have taken place in your body.
While it is natural to panic if your hair starts feeling extra thin, in most cases, postnatal hair loss will spontaneously normalise.
As Dr Sejal Shah, MD tells Parents, "In some people, it's three months, and in some, it's six months. However, occasionally it can also last a year."
Postnatal Hair Loss Due To Changes In Your Hormones
Postnatal hair loss is also referred to as postpartum alopecia and is relatively common. It affects between 40-50 per cent of women in the months following childbirth.
Postnatal hair loss is not to be blamed on anything but hormones, or rather estrogen, that may be playing hooky inside your body and causes the hair to fall out!
Dr Joanne Stone, head of The Mount Sinai Medical Center's maternal-fetal-medicine unit, explains, “This temporary hair loss doesn’t mean you’re deficient in nutrition or vitamins. It’s simply hormonal."
Hormones are the biggest reason for your pregnancy hair changes and postpartum hair loss.
While you were pregnant, the high levels of estrogen prevented your usual rate of hair fall. The increased blood volume and circulation further prevented your hair to fall out less than normal.
Soon after your baby comes and your hormone levels drop, your hair starts to make up for the lost time by falling out in much larger quantities.
However, remember that the total volume of your hair loss isn’t more than you would have lost over the past nine months, it just seems like it because it’s happening all at once.
5 Postnatal Hair Loss Care Regimen To Try
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to prevent or slow postpartum hair loss. However, if you are concerned about your hair loss, there are some treatments you can try to make your hair appear fuller and healthier.
Avoid styling
You can keep your hair loosely tied. Try to avoid pigtails, braids and other tight-tying hair styles. In the meantime, you can try hair thickeners or mousse that make the hair look fuller.
It is also a good time to embrace your curls if your hair’s naturally curly or wavy. If you have straight hair, try adding texture with rollers or through heatless curlers.
Look after your diet and add supplements
Make sure your diet comprises of the right nutrients. Try to include a variety of vegetables, fruits and healthy proteins.
Opt for dark leafy greens, this will ensure that you are getting a good dose of iron and vitamin C in your diet. You should also include eggs (vitamin D), fish (for magnesium), and sweet potatoes (for beta carotene.)
However, if your diet is not well-balanced, the doctor may suggest you take some supplements.
Keep the right length
You will get ample time to extend the length of your hair, but this is not the time to do so. If you are experiencing postnatal hair loss, try to keep your hair at a manageable length.
You can try changing the way you part your hair. This is surely an effective way to hide postpartum hair loss.
Can try a volumising shampoo
Even though there is no evidence on it, but conditioning shampoos can weigh your hair down and make it look thinner. So, volumisers are a great way to add volume to your hair and help you maintain a lustrous look.
Mama's Choice Haircare Series
When it comes to postnatal hair loss experienced in Singapore, you can find a much-needed boost to help restore your luscious locks with Mama’s Choice Hair Care Series. It comes with the Treatment Shampoo, Treatment Conditioner, and Strengthening Hair Serum.
Each product has been specially formulated to help reduce hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and strengthen hair with its blend of natural ingredients.
This hair care series harnesses the power of natural kiwi extracts, candlenut, and aloe vera to help combat postnatal hair loss.
Even better, it's free of toxins, parabens, sulfates, and other harmful ingredients. Not to mention, it’s lab-tested right here in Singapore!
ALSO READ: Best Hair Loss Shampoos in Singapore for Pregnancy
Is My Hair Fall Normal?
The way to deal with postnatal hair loss would be to maintain a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and stop fretting over your hair fall.
Fussing and worrying over this temporary potential baldness will just increase your postpartum stress and perhaps lead to further hair loss.
In most cases, postnatal hair loss isn't much to worry about. But if you continue to witness clumps in your hairbrush even after your baby has hit their first birthday, you may want to consult with your dermatologist.
ALSO READ:
Vitamins And Supplements In Pregnancy
Postpartum Hair Loss: What Causes It And 5 Ways To Deal With It
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