How To Restore Hair After Childbirth: Doctor's Advice

After having a baby, a woman feels happy and relieved after nine months of carrying a baby, but begins to feel discomfort about changes in her body - especially because her hair is no longer as shiny and thick as it used to be. What actually happens to hair during, before and after pregnancy? And what can you do about it? We answer these and other questions together with the dermatovenerologist, candidate of medical sciences Jamil Gyulaliev.

A bit of anatomy

The life of a human hair follicle is cyclical: for example, phases of massive hair growth alternate with phases of involution and rest. They last approximately 2-5 years, 2-3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Typically, hair growth is not synchronous. On the scalp, only 10% of the follicles are in the resting phase, which is why we have a lot of hair on our heads at any time of the day or year.

What happens during pregnancy?

No one will be surprised by the phrase about hormonal imbalance during pregnancy. At this time, the female body undergoes colossal changes: there is an approximately ninefold increase in the level of progesterone, estradiol, estriol, oxytocin, prolactin also increase. Moreover, the blood volume in the body of the expectant mother increases by 50%.

Usually our hair falls out in small amounts every day. During pregnancy, daily hair loss is reduced. The fact is that elevated hormone levels slow down the normal cycle of hair growth and loss, thereby increasing its duration. This effect is further enhanced by the fact that an increase in blood volume and the intensity of blood circulation contributes to better nutrition of the hair.

What happens after giving birth?

It is widely believed among women that stress during childbirth triggers hair loss (see also: Less Stress: 6 Quick and Unusual Ways to Relax). But everything is much simpler. After childbirth, hormone levels also drop dramatically. Already by 2-4 days, the level of progesterone and estrogen in the woman's body returns to normal. Prolactin levels drop to the average within seven days if lactation does not occur. Some studies show an increase in the period of hair growth in lactating women, and this is another plus in the piggy bank of feeding.

After the hormones return to the previous figures, the hair makes up for lost time, falling out much more intensively, reaching up to 400 hairs a day (with the usual 80-100). Since they fall out at the same time, a woman may feel that she is losing a huge amount of hair.

Remember, postpartum hair loss usually begins about three months after the baby is born. The time period between childbirth and the onset of shedding corresponds to the duration of the resting phase mentioned earlier. But if childbirth occurs in the fall, postpartum hair loss can coincide with seasonal hair loss and lead to more noticeable hair thinning.

How can you help while waiting to return to your normal hair growth cycle?

There are no specific therapeutic measures for postpartum hair loss. But there are some tips you can follow to make your hair look fuller and healthier.

Food

Having a baby and feeding it is a stressful time both morally and physically, so it is very important to avoid stress and develop a balanced diet with your healthcare provider. Malnutrition is considered one of the main contributors to hair loss. In the postpartum period, you need a balance of carbohydrates and proteins, normal blood sugar, iron, ferritin, zinc and vitamin D.

By the way, about vitamins

Until now, the role of one or another vitamin in affecting hair loss has not been proven, but they all have a beneficial effect on their beauty and strength. However, remember that vitamins should not be used as a substitute for a nutritious diet. Their intake is justified if we are talking about nutritional supplements and a balanced diet. You should also pay attention to the fact that large doses of vitamin A, on the contrary, provoke hair loss.

About leaving

Experts advise to limit experiments with hairstyle as much as possible, refrain from excessive drying and styling. Excessive and rough combing should also be avoided: once a day is sufficient. A doctor may prescribe external vasodilators to stimulate hair growth (see also: Top 10 Hair Loss Products).

PS:

Most women return to their normal hair growth cycle from six months to a year after giving birth. But if you feel that your hair loss is excessively higher than the postpartum loss rate, or if a year has passed by this time and your hair has not returned to its normal cycle, you should see your doctor. Excessive hair loss can be caused by common and easily treatable postpartum conditions such as hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) or iron deficiency anemia.