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You may have found this post because you’ve had your baby and now suddenly you’re seeing a massive amount of hair coming out in your hair brush or you’re grabbing clumps of it while washing your hair in the shower.
“Oh my god, NO! Are you KIDDING me?? This can’t be happening!” were my first thoughts, since no one warned me.
Postpartum hair loss is a weird, annoying (and sad honestly) thing that happens after having a baby that many of us go through.
First of all, let me just tell you, you’re stunning and most likely no one else is noticing this hair loss besides you. I know sometimes we think everyone around us is just as invested in the little changes that happen with our body or appearance but the reality is that most of the time no one really notices. That doesn’t mean those changes aren’t frustrating and annoying to deal with!
And it’s worth it to talk about why this happens and acknowledge that this is just a phase. You aren’t going bald, I promise.
Thank God, right?
It’s just a phase. You can breathe a sigh of relief!
Why It Happens
Hair growth happens in cycles- the growing phase, resting phase and shedding phase. When you’re pregnant, your hair stays in it’s growth phase for much longer because of all the changes with your hormones- particularly the rise in your estrogen levels. This is why pregnant women are often known for having that luscious, thick, healthy looking hair that we all envy.
After you’ve had your baby, your estrogen drops back to its pre-pregnancy levels and your hair moves into the shedding phase and this is when you start seeing your hair all over the house. This peaks around four months postpartum.
Ultimately, the drop in estrogen is to blame for all this and unfortunately it’s also to blame for some issues you may or may not have with some… intimate stuff. Oof, that’s a topic for another day.
As I said before, this shedding is just a phase and it won’t last forever. And you don’t technically need to do anything to help your hair because it’ll be back in the growth phase again soon, as it gets back into its pre-pregnancy rhythm again. Your hair will be back to normal in time, as those wispy pieces on your temples grow back and fill in with the rest of your locks.
But if you’re anything like me, you want to know what YOU can do to help give your hair and body all the support they need to return to normal as fast as possible!
What You Can Do
Continue to take your prenatal vitamins
In case you hadn’t been told by your doctor, it is advised to continue your prenatal vitamins for as long as you breastfeed your baby. If you aren’t breastfeeding/pumping, it’s still a good idea to take a multivitamin to make sure your body is getting all of the nutrition it needs.
Supplements
Your prenatal or multi should have you covered with your nutrients but here are some key mentionables that are big players in your hair care. Some vitamins and minerals can assist with hair and cell growth, hair strength, help to build proteins for your hair and more. Like I said, most of these nutrients are included in a good prenatal vitamin or multivitamin so definitely make sure you stay consistent with that! Just check to see what’s included in yours on the nutrition label because supplementing with extra is useless (you’ll just pee it out). It’s also important to keep taking your prenatal vitamin if you are breastfeeding so your best bet is to keep it in your routine.
- B Complex (especially Biotin)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Zinc
Be gentle with your hair
Us women can be very rough with our hair with our everyday actions and it takes conscious mindful effort to be gentle with our hair. Try to slow down and be more careful when brushing, washing and styling. Avoid putting your hair up into a ponytail or bun too tightly. And after your shower, I highly highly recommend using a WetBrush. It really helps to minimize tugging and breakage especially with damp hair.
Scalp massage
Now you have an excuse to ask your partner to help you out here! But there are also awesome scalp massagers that feel so good and you can use it whenever you want. The idea behind it is that it stimulates blood flow to your scalp to promote hair growth. Make sure you read the instructions for use on yours so that you use it correctly.
Silk Pillowcase / Silk Scrunchie
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t wake up in the exact same position that you fell asleep in. You might shift positions or rotate side to side in your sleep and these movements are all opportunities for your hair to get tugged in different directions, whether you’re aware of it or not. A great way to minimize damage done while you sleep is to use a silk pillowcase and if you like to wear your hair up in a scrunchie while you snooze, opt for a silk one as well.
These tips are great ways to give a little love to your hair during this time and help it get back to normal! And don’t stress about it, you’re doing amazing!