Postpartum hair loss

One of my least favorite postpartum (PP) symptoms is the dreaded hair loss. I am 4 months PP and have been losing my hair for about a month. The body is amazing how it can stay right on time like that. Once my baby hit 3 months old, my hair suddenly started coming out in chunks in the shower. It’s stuck all over my clothes, my pillow, my baby, anywhere. I took an overnight trip with my husband this past weekend. I felt so sorry for the cleaning staff because my hair was EVERYWHERE.

When I had my first baby, no one cued me into what my body would experience. I had no idea what was happening when each postpartum symptom began. This is part of why I wanted to become a birth doula. Pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum can be much less “traumatic” (for lack of a better word) once you’re educated on what you will experience and why. I hate to refer to any part of having a child as traumatic, but I did have trauma that I did not process until 5 years after my first child was born. I did not plan to get pregnant then, so everything was rough for a while, even though so much more joy and love came out of it than trauma.

I began to question this time around. Why do women lose so much hair after giving birth? Will it ever stop? It does end, of course. But it certainly feels infinite in the moment. Here is my research so you and I can have some answers.

PP hair loss is due to hormones! I should’ve known. Every crazy experience is due to this influx and efflux of hormones. In the third trimester, our estrogen levels increase. This prevents typical hair shedding. We usually have thick, beautiful hair during this time. After birth, estrogen levels drop. This causes a lot of our hair to suddenly enter a resting phase, which lasts about 3 months, and then our hair begins to shed. Normally, we would lose up to 100 strands of hair per day. During PP hair loss, we lose more than 100 strands per day. The shedding should last less than six months. Your hair should regain its fullness before your child turns one year old. The hair will grow back. If you continue to lose hair after six months PP, it’s recommended to see your medical provider.

Can we treat PP hair loss? There are no treatments, but we can take measures to prevent further damage or shedding:

• You can try volumizing shampoo and conditioner. You might have to search for a product that will work best for your hair type.

• Be gentle. Wash and comb your hair gently. Use low heat settings on dryers and irons. Avoid hairstyles that add tension to your hair such as tight ponytails and braids.

• Try a different hairstyle. Shorter hair may look fuller and will be convenient for your little one.

Without looking into this back in 2019, I did end up cutting my long hair (it was down to my waist) shorter up to just under my shoulders. I also got bangs. I haven’t changed my hairstyle since then and I really like it. My hair did look a lot better after that haircut. All that truly matters is how you feel! Do whatever you need to do to help yourself feel better! I would also recommend letting your hairstylist know you are postpartum if they don’t already.

Source

Cleveland Clinic (2022, June 13). Postpartum Hair Loss. Retrieved January 17, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23297-postpartum-hair-loss