Can You Experience Hair Loss during Pregnancy?
Generally, you'll shed a few hairs and notice that your hair is thicker and much fuller towards the second or third trimester.
This is due to the increase in your estrogen levels, allowing your hair to stay in its growing [anagen] phase much longer than usual.
Plus, everyone’s hair follicles don’t have the same level of sensitivity. That's why it's difficult to estimate if you'll have the same reactions as someone else would.
And pregnancies differ from each other too, your hair might look awesome for your first pregnancy and look different in your next one.
But no matter the hair issues you struggle with as a result of your pregnancy, it won't last all through.
Hair Loss During Pregnancy
So, What Causes Post-partum Hair Loss?
You're more likely to notice postpartum hair loss within a 6-month window after childbirth if you're affected.
Your pregnancy hormones help to keep your hairs in place when you’re pregnant -- leaving your hair fuller and thicker.
The average person loses about 100 hairs a day, but it doesn’t happen all at once. But at the end of your pregnancy, your estrogen levels go back to their normal state and the hairs that were locked in place will shed all at once.
Keep This in Mind about Your Postpartum-induced Hair
Relax, you're not going bald. Your hair is just returning to its normal state.
If you're breastfeeding, some of your extra hair will still stay on your scalp until you start to supplement your baby’s foods with formulas or solids.
But whether you’re nursing your baby or not, you should stay calm.
Because by the time your baby is ready to blow out the candles on that first birthday cake, your hair loss period will be over.
What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?
The Best Ways to Take Care of Your Post-Partum Hair.
- Maintain a nutritious diet and a regular intake of your prenatal vitamins to keep your hair healthy during pregnancy.
- Be extra gentle to your hair during pregnancy to prevent excess hair loss after childbirth.
- Shampoo only when necessary with a healthy conditioner and a wide-toothed comb to reduce tangling.
- Use soft scrunches instead of rubber bands for your hair and avoid pulling your hair into tight ponytails.
- Skip blow-dryers and curling irons [if you can] and avoid any chemical-based treatments [highlights, perms, etc.] until the shedding stops.
- Talk to your trichologist or scalp specialist to get better, tailored information based on your health history.
Know a new mom who needs to read this too? Reduce their postpartum hair loss fears by sharing this post with them!
