How to treat post-partum hair loss
Many women don’t realise that post-partum hair loss is very common, so when it happens, they don’t automatically associate it with their recent pregnancy. Post-partum hair loss affects up to 50 per cent of new mothers and can be worrying if the cause isn’t understood. You may initially notice more hair in your hairbrush when washing your hair, or even in the look and feel of your hair’s volume. As distressing as it can be, hair loss is normal, and there are things that you can do to minimise the effects.
What causes post-partum hair loss?
During pregnancy, there are lots of hormonal shifts happening within the body, and one thing those hormonal shifts do is promote hair growth. During pregnancy, raised oestrogen levels keep hair in its anagen (growth) phase for longer than usual. This means that hair can feel and look thicker throughout pregnancy. However, these hormone levels quickly return to normal after birth, causing hairs to switch from their growth to shedding phase, resulting in more significant amounts of shedding than we’re typically used to. Breastfeeding can also contribute to this.
Post-partum hair loss doesn’t affect every new mother, and it usually becomes apparent around three months after delivery, although it can start sooner. Severity varies from woman to woman and can range from finding a few extra stands on your hairbrush to larger clumps when touching or styling your hair.
Is it permanent?
Most cases of post-partum hair loss will resolve themselves within six to twelve months and typically won’t result in permanent hair loss. The shedding should stop on its own, and all hairs lost will grow back. This is due to the body normalising the hormone levels and replenishing stored iron following any blood loss. If hair loss continues with no signs of slowing or if you would like to support your hair health during this time, it’s worth exploring other underlying causes and treatment options to help speed up recovery.
What are the treatment options?
Lifestyle
To help encourage new hair growth, maintain a diet rich in protein and iron. The hair requires 25 per cent of our daily protein intake, so make sure you include plenty of protein sources like chicken, eggs, lentils, quinoa, and fish in your diet. Iron stores can be depleted in birth which contributes to hair loss, so iron-rich foods such as red meat and green vegetables can be helpful and are easily absorbed by the gut. Sleep and stress management are essential too, but often, they’re not a priority when caring for a newborn. Try to take naps as often as possible – take advantage of the times that your baby is sleeping. Mindfulness apps are a great way of dealing with stress and are easy to benefit from as they can be listened to while breastfeeding or in the shower.
Supplementation
Supplements can be beneficial as they provide the body with additional nutrients to produce hair cells. Viviscal Professional feeds follicles from the inside out and supplies your hair with all of the crucial nutrients that it needs to promote hair growth, health, density and strength. It contains biotin to encourage smooth, healthy hair and apple extract to promote a soft, glossy finish.
Scalp care
The scalp is generally considered the gateway to healthy hair growth, and pros note that it’s all the more imperative to look after it when experiencing postnatal hair loss. The Keravive by HydraFacial uses patented vortex technology to unclog hair follicles, boost circulation and remove dead skin and congestion while nourishing and hydrating the scalp.
The treatment infuses a proprietary blend of skin proteins and growth factors to encourage the growth of thicker, healthier and stronger looking hair. It works well as an individual treatment but can also be combined with other hair restoration treatments such as PRP to enhance results.
If you’re struggling with hair loss and would like to learn more about the treatment options, click here to book a consultation with an expert practitioner.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
