Postpartum Hair Loss & Regrowth Strategies for Moms

If you are a new mom dealing with postpartum hair loss and you’re looking for solutions — this article is for you.

Many new mothers experience the shock of postpartum hair loss around three months after giving birth. Sometimes hair can fall out in clumps, and while not uncommon, it can be totally terrifying and unexpected.

If you’re dealing with postpartum hair loss, know that your hair will grow back. Below are some ways you can support your hair regrowth.

Why does postpartum hair loss occur?

While pregnant, your hormones are surging. While being “hormonal” can have some not-so-fun side effects, new healthy hair growth is sometimes a positive side effect of high estrogen and progesterone.

After you give birth, your hormones go through a period of restabilization. Estrogen and progesterone levels take a dip back to your regular baseline.

When this happens, hair follicles that were in a “growth” phase, can go into a “resting” phase — which is soon followed by the “shedding” phase. So the hair that was pushed into a resting phase because of dipping estrogen levels can begin to shed all at once.

Instead of shedding the normal 100 hairs a day, a postpartum mother might suddenly begin shedding 300-400 hairs a day.

So, in truth, this is not “hair loss,” but rather excessive hair shedding.  This hair shedding can range from mild to severe with some moms only noticing a thinner ponytail, while others deal with large areas of hair sparseness.

3 ways to combat postpartum hair loss and boost hair regrowth

This period of hair shedding occurs because your hair cycle was thrown off track, but the follicles remain in good health and capable of regrowth.

So, never fear, the hair can reappear.

Your overall health, lifestyle, and diet can determine how long it takes for the hair to come back.

Here are a few ways you can support hair regrowth after giving birth:

#1 Eat a diet rich in Omega-3s

Studies have shown that incorporating fish-derived omega 3 fatty acids can aid hair growth. You can also get healthy omegas from plant sources like ground flaxseeds or flaxseed oil. Studies reflect that omega fatty acids may nourish hair and hair follicles and can encourage “resting” hair into the growth phase. Beyond incorporating omega fatty acids, regularly eating an all-around nutritious diet may positively impact your hair regrowth.

#2 Try to keep stress levels under control

Taking care of a newborn is hugely demanding, so trying to keep stress levels under control might feel totally impossible. But know that stress hormones can contribute to further disruption of the hair cycle. Chronic stress might make it more difficult to regrow hair.

Make sure you’re taking time for yourself to decompress. Try breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and blowing off steam through exercise.

#3 Try topical hair growth treatments

If your hair loss is severe or is taking a while to come back, you can always try tried and true hair loss treatments. Minoxidil is thought to promote hair loss by increasing blood flow to the hair follicle. This might kick hair follicles into high gear, replenishing them with oxygenated blood flow.

Minoxidil is a safe hair growth treatment for women and is effective by encouraging resting hair into the growing phase.

Note: Be sure to check with your doctor before starting hair growth treatments, especially if you are breastfeeding.

These strategies require time and patience.

Often, postpartum hair loss is at its worst four months after giving birth.   It can often take a year to completely resolve. Rarely, women experience a persistent postpartum hair sparseness issue.

Tags: hair growth, minoxidil, postpartum hair loss