Sleepless nights, a crying baby, and new motherhood are all stressful enough, so it doesn’t seem fair that hair loss should be added to the mix. The ‘post-pregnancy shed’ might be a rude awakening, but there is some good news. It’s quite normal, fairly frequent, and your hair will regrow.
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Post-partum hair loss affects a large percentage of women – 50%, according to one study – and while stress is a factor, shifting hormone levels have an even higher impact. “Raised oestrogen levels during pregnancy keep hairs in their anagen (growth) phase for longer than usual.
As a result, hair might feel and appear thicker during pregnancy. After delivery, however, levels quickly return to normal, prompting hairs to flip from their growth to the shedding phase (known as telogen) and resulting in more hair shedding than we’re used to. Breastfeeding can also contribute to this since it raises levels of the hormone prolactin, which has been linked to hair loss.
The severity of the condition varies from woman to woman, and it can range from a few additional strands on your comb to finding balls of the material in the shower. If you’re going through a hard patch, invest your time and money in creating a favourable environment for healthy hair regrowth, volumizing products, and hair thickening cuts.
How To Deal With Postpartum Hair
GET YOUR SCALP UP AND RUNNING
Healthy hair is a result of a healthy scalp, especially after pregnancy. A variety of experts recommend following a hair care routine inspired by your face, which includes weekly exfoliation, cleansing, moisturizing, and, in some cases, toning – which can be especially beneficial if you have a dry and itchy scalp.
Exfoliators range from beady scrubs to more sophisticatedly formulated chemical exfoliators containing AHAs and BHAs (see my top scalp exfoliator picks here), and serve as an effective way to slough off dead skin cells and remove product build-up to make room for new hairs, just like they do on the skin. A daily scalp massage with just your fingertips might also assist to improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth.
PROTEIN AND IRON-RICH FOODS SHOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR DIET
At any age, a well-balanced diet is essential for providing the hair with the fuel it requires to flourish. It is, nevertheless, very crucial after childbirth. Your hair will be last on your body’s list of priorities to nurture as it rebalances, and it will often require extra inside assistance. Consuming nutrient-dense meals that are high in protein and iron. Eggs, fish, lean meats, chicken, quinoa, lentils, almonds, and chickpeas are all high in protein. Red meat, spinach, almonds, walnuts, and beets are all high in iron.
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF WASHING YOUR HAIR
After a pregnancy, the sight of an increased strand count in the shower can make you want to put off cleaning it. However, you don’t need to be concerned about not washing your hair as much because you’re afraid of accelerating hair loss. Whether you wash your hair once a week or once a day, you will lose the same amount of hair; this has no effect on hair fall.
When it comes to washing it, how often should you do it? Aim for two to three times a week if your hair is a little sensitive after giving birth. Don’t over-wash or over-condition your hair, and don’t use too much product – this can dry it out, making it more prone to breakage and making it appear even thinner. Apply mild pressure on the scalp and hair to assist relieve stress. Hair regrowth will be healthier if your scalp is kept clean.
DRESS IN SOFTER STYLES
Waiting for your ‘baby bangs’ to mature can cause a slew of issues, and figuring out how to cope with them in the meantime can be difficult. However, choosing less tension-inducing haircuts is the key to styling them out. Prevent tight, pulled-back styles like ponytails and topknots to avoid attracting too much attention to them or exacerbating the problem.
CHOOSE A BLUNT CUT
When it comes to the rest of your haircut, go for a somewhat shorter and heavier style to make your hair look fuller and thicker. Internal layers softened blunt edges bobs, whereas longer layers retained their blunt. These styles are generally a lot more manageable once the baby is born, as we all know how difficult it is to find time to even shower and style our hair! Blunter cuts are also a fantastic method to add weight to lengthier styles.
BRUSH WITH A GENTLER
After pregnancy, hair can become brittle, and that dreaded snap while running your brushes through it is one sound you don’t want to hear if you’re worried about shedding. Avoid overbrushing and invest in a high-quality brush to avoid snagging.
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