The most common concern that most women fear after childbirth is
postpartum hair loss; it offers a territory of nervousness and irritation
during a period that is always full of changes. Understanding why this is so,
how it affects women, and what can be done to manage it is important for many
new mothers going through a transitional period in their lives. This article
shall therefore discuss the causes, timeline, management strategies, and some
frequently asked questions on postpartum hair loss.
Understanding the Phenomenon Postpartum Hair Loss:
Telogen effluvium or hair loss postpartum they also refer to
the condition as shedding hair. It is common in most women after delivery and
is due to the amount of estrogen in the body resulting in an anagen or growth
phase to be longer than normal, hence during pregnancy, the hair tends to be
healthier and thicker. Estrogen levels become depleted at the time of delivery
and hair follicles then start to fall into the telogen phase causing possible
hair loss.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growth cycle is very useful to know when discussing postpartum hair loss. It occurs in three stages of hair growth:
- Anagen Phase or Growth Phase: In this active growing phase,
hair is growing. It can grow for many years depending on the
influence by genetics and other factors.
- Transition Phase or Catagen Phase: It lasts for a few weeks
when the hair does not grow at all but prepares for falling.
- Shedding Phase or Telogen Phase: This lasts three months
where hairs fall
Typically, at any time, 10-15% of hairs occur in this stage.
At the same time, with the high levels of hormones, hairs
continue to enter the anagen stage; there appear to be more hairs than before,
which is why many women have thicker hair during pregnancy. Shortly after
delivery, however, most of these hairs enter the telogen stage nearly
simultaneously. This is often referred to as a cause of increased numbers of
hair falling once the infants are out.
Postpartum Hair Loss Causes
Hormonal Changes
The main cause of hair loss after delivery is the hormonal
fluctuation that occurs shortly after the baby is born. Just immediately after
delivery, the levels of estrogen drop suddenly. This brings on the loss of
retained hair during pregnancy. This change in hormone happens instantly and
can vary in impact for each woman.
Stress and Fatigue
This is the postpartum period, trying time when most
first-time mothers develop elevated levels of stress and fatigue. The
adaptation of a new routine, lack of adequate sleep, and general demands for
taking care of the newborn can cause loss of hair. In this case, the situation
gets worse when there is shedding due to stress.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Certain nutrients from the mother’s body are “burned up”
during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The process of hair thinning and shedding
start when vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc and biotin are deficient
in the body. A well-balanced diet is,
therefore, very fundamental to take care of the health of the mother and bring
hair growth at such times.
Medical Conditions
Underlying medical conditions like thyroid dysfunction or
anemia may, in some cases, speed up postpartum hair loss. If the hair keeps
falling more than six months after delivery, then it would be best to see a
healthcare provider to rule out any possibility of underlying problems.
Timeline of Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss generally follows a predictable pattern:
- It is one of the most common events associated with pregnancy:
the hair seems visibly thicker. Typically, it's not until two or three months
postpartum that shedding actually does increase.
- 3-6 Months Postpartum This is usually when women will
experience female hair loss from having a baby the most. Women might be
experiencing extreme shedding with hair coming out in clumps while washing or
styling.
- 6-12 months after delivery: Hair loss in most women will
start to slow and hair begins to grow. At the end of the first year, most women
regain their regular density of hair.
- 1 Year and Beyond: Although the vast majority of women
recover their hair lost during delivery by one year postpartum, some women can
continue on with ongoing loss or other hair disorders. If your hair does not
stop falling, see a doctor.
Management of Postpartum Hair Loss
- Nutritional Support: A good diet high in vitamins and minerals is essential to keep hair healthy throughout the postpartum. Crucial nutrients include:
- Protein: Hair growth sources, meats, eggs, beans, and nuts.
- Iron: Prevents anemia, good sources include spinach, lentils, fortified cereals, etc.
- Biotin: A B vitamin, an essential aid in preserving hair health; egg, nut, and whole grain sources.
- Zinc: It helps the hair repair and grow; seafood, meat, and legumes.
Gentle Hair Care
Now is the time for your hair care. Here are some gentle tips on hair care.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Try to reduce using blow dryers, curling
irons, and straighteners as much as you can.
- Mild Shampoos: These are mostly mild, and sulphate-free too,
which tends to strip your hair of its natural oil.
- Control Chemical Procedures: No bleaching, no dyeing, or any
chemical process is allowed at this fragile state.
- Stress Control: Engagement in stress control activities can be used to overcome the condition of hair loss. Some of them include;
- Mindfulness and Meditation: They are ways to control the
mind so that the levels of stress experienced are minimized.
- Physical Activity: Physical exercise is very crucial for
improvement of one's moods and welfare
- Support Groups: Friends, family members, or a group for
solace.
- See a Healthcare Provider: It should be reported to the
attention of a healthcare provider if it persists beyond the first year after
delivery or worsens. A doctor can eliminate all possible underlying medical
conditions and can prescribe the appropriate treatment available in the scope
of topical solutions or supplementations.
Conclusion
Loss of hair after postpartum is common to most women who
have recently delivered babies. This would possibly be able to help in
bettering the understanding of the causes and the time line of this condition,
relieving anxiety, and allowing the women to stage through this in their lives.
This can be done by highlighting nutrition, gentle hair care, stress
management, and the immediate medical advice that might come in handy when
needed to help many women get through this age-old ordeal and eventually regain
healthy hair. As always, postpartum hair loss often proves to be temporary, and
in good time, hair will restore itself to its pregnant state.
Please book an appointment with the Best Dermatologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.