A temporary form of hair loss that occurs in 40 to 50 percent of mothers, telogen effluvium – or postpartum hair loss – takes place one to five months after giving birth. During pregnancy, changes in hormones lead to changes in your hair cycle, which in turn leads to an excess number of hairs falling out as your body returns to its normal state following the birth of a child.
Why Does Postpartum Hair Loss Occur?
A cycle that is made up of four parts, the hair growth cycle is constantly occurring, with each individual hair at a different point within it. This allows us to maintain a full head of hair at all times, which is why changes or disruptions of the cycle can cause excessive hair loss.
Instead of following the constant cycle of growth and loss, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy cause up to 6- percent of a woman’s hair follicles to stay in the resting phase. After birth, hormones return to their normal level, leading hair to continue on to the shedding phase and resulting in an excess amount of hair loss.
What Can You Do?
Although postpartum hair loss is only temporary, it can be a stressful experience for a new mom. Luckily, your hair should return to its normal growth cycle in a few months, and there are plenty of tricks you can try to keep your hair as healthy as possible in the meantime.
We recommend using a wide tooth comb to gently comb out your hair when wet, and to avoid using styling tools like hair straighteners and blow dryers unless they are on the lowest setting. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables filled with antioxidants, as well as Vitamin B and Vitamin C supplements can also help to encourage hair growth.
If you experience continued hair loss after pregnancy, there are a wide variety of hair replacement systems available to help you look and feel your best. For more information and to set up an appointment at Stylistics, call 602-234-3381.
