Even though pregnancy changes your body significantly, it seems that it is quite generous to your face and hair. It gives you that “pregnancy glow” and you will notice that your hair does not fall off at all.
Just when you get used to your new lush hair – bam! You start losing it! Your gorgeous mane is taken away. There is hair everywhere and you are starting to think that you will go bald.
You can’t believe what is happening – you haven’t got rid of baby weight, your breasts are changing due to breastfeeding, you have dark circles around your eyes because you haven’t had enough sleep and now this! One more thing a new mom has to deal with is losing hair.
Don’t worry – this is very common and normal. Here are the reasons why that happens and some tips to overcome that gloomy period of post partum hair loss.
When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?
It usually doesn’t start immediately after you give birth. It takes some time for hormones to return to their usual state and that’s when you will start noticing more and more hairs on your brush. Approximately 3 months after giving birth you will start losing hair.
The medical term for postpartum hair loss is telogen effluvium. It affects most of the new mums, but those with thin sparse hair can be worried about their looks and lose their self-esteem.
Why Does It Happen?
Hormones are to blame for everything that happens to your appearance. Your hair normally falls off every day, but you most likely don’t notice it so much, since it doesn’t happen at once.
Then, during pregnancy, hormones promote hair grow and stop it from falling off. After giving birth, your estrogen level is back to normal and you start to shed extensively.
Don’t be alarmed – you are not going bald and the shedding will stop after your body completely recovers from pregnancy. Remember, nothing happens overnight and you will experience various side effects before you recover.
Cover image source: Pexels
When Does It Stop?
Remember that postpartum hair loss is only temporarily. It lasts around 6 months. Some women stop shedding after 4 months, while others need to deal with hair loss for almost a year after they’ve had a baby.
Can I Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss?
Not really. Almost all new moms struggle with it and you probably won’t be the exception. Some shed extensively, while others don’t.
However, some things can help you reduce it:
#1 Healthy diet and regular protein and iron intake during and after pregnancy will help you.
#2 During pregnancy, your baby takes all the ingredients it needs to grow, leaving your body vitamin deficient. You need to intensify vitamin intake whether through your diet or some pills, or you might suffer later. Take supplements during and after your pregnancy.
#3 Cut your hair – if your hair is too long, it is better to cut it in order to make it healthier and somewhat reduce hair loss.
#4 Use natural hair products, rich in fish oil.
#5 Avoid using hairdryers and curling and flat irons – they will just do more damage to your hair.
#6 If your hair loss is severe and it affects your self-esteem, consider scalp micropigmentation. It is popular among balding men and women, and it is a great solution for women who deal with alopecia, but it’s only possible if you’re not breastfeeding.
What About Postpartum Eyebrow Loss?
Yes, postpartum eyebrow loss is a thing.
Just like your hair, eyebrow growth is affected by hormones. A couple of months after you’ve had a baby, you might notice your eyebrows are thin and sparse. To be honest, this is not something new moms usually complain about, because it’s usually not that noticeable. However, some women can experience serious postpartum eyebrow loss.
Luckily, this problem easy to solve thanks to makeup. There is an even better solution – eyebrow tattoos which will save you the trouble of applying makeup every day.
Microblading and its variations (such as microshading, ombre brows, powder brows, etc.) are a great option for moms who have lost eyebrow hairs. Just bear in mind they’re not safe if you’re breastfeeding.
If you don’t want any of this, try solving your problem by taking some vitamins. You can also pay a visit to a dermatologist who might prescribe some products for stimulating hair growth.
What About Potpartum Lash Loss, Is That a Thing?
It certainly is.
It is one more surprising changes that pregnancy makes to your body. You might notice that your lashes become poor in quality and quantity after you give birth.
This problem is not hard to solve, since you’ll still have some lashes left. Find a good mascara and eyeliner to camouflage the issue. Also, consider semi-permanent makeup as a solution. Lash extensions and lash lift are popular treatments that will give you a makeup look.
Babies require a lot of your time and attention, and sometimes you don’t even have time to apply mascara. With semi-permanent makeup, you will look good the moment you wake up.
Honest Advice – Have Patience
Be patient – postpartum hair loss will stop and you won’t go bald!
Try to reduce it in order not to lose confidence by using more or less permanent solutions. Your body and hair will go back to normal, just give them some time to recover.
Cover image source: Freepik
