Hair grows on our bodies in different cycles, which may last between 2 and 7 years. The active or growing phase of your hair strand is called anagen and defines how long it grows. As time passes, the hair follicle goes through catagen, a transitional phase that persists for 10 to 20 days. The hair strand enters the telogen phase, the resting phase that may last around 100 days. And in the final exogen stage, the hair sheds, and the cycle begins again.
Due to hormonal fluctuations, women can experience hair loss after pregnancy. Pregnant women usually have high progesterone levels and low estrogen levels, making your hair enter into its resting phase very early. After giving birth, the body produces new hair by shedding the currently resting hairs.
Hormonal fluctuations are common during and after pregnancy, and postpartum hair loss is a common symptom. Medically, postpartum hair loss is termed telogen effluvium. Sometimes it is also called postpartum alopecia, which affects 40-50% of women months after giving birth.
Typically, it may be observed between 3 to 6 months after birth, and most women return to their regular hair growth patterns. However, after pregnancy, some women may also suffer from other problems like acne, brown spots, stretch marks, puffy eyes, and dark circles, whereas others retain their pregnancy glow which lasts the whole time.
Does postpartum hair loss last forever?
Once you understand why and when postpartum hair loss occurs, the question becomes, “does it last forever?”.
There’s no need to panic if you experience postpartum hair loss; it is a temporary condition. Postpartum hair loss is common for many women, and it may be observed for a few months. Usually, after six months of delivery, the normal hair growth patterns return, but in the case of some women, postpartum hair loss may last up to a year. Consult a hair loss expert doctor if you have severe postpartum hair loss or if it lasts longer than a year.
What are the best ways to prevent postpartum hair loss?
You lose hair after childbirth due to normal hormonal changes, so it can’t be prevented right away. However, if you follow some precautionary measures, you can reduce postpartum hair loss and improve your hair health and growth.
Maintain a healthy diet
Our health and wellbeing largely depend on having a healthy diet regularly. In particular, a healthy diet for women after giving birth helps in their overall recovery and prevents the progression of postpartum hair loss.
Ensure a balanced diet of vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants found predominantly in green veggies, whole grains, and fresh fruits for healthy hair growth. In addition, stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water.
Take nutritional supplements
Once you notice hair loss after pregnancy, your doctor may recommend taking vitamins or mineral supplements to boost hair growth and minimize hair loss.
The important nutritional recommendations are as follows:
- Vitamin B complex or biotin (B7)
- Iron
- Vitamin C & E
- Zinc
Your postpartum recovery plan may already include these nutrients, so you should consult your doctor if you wish to take supplements.
Reduce stress
Stress management can also help to regulate hormonal imbalances.
Try various relaxation methods, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises. Maintain a regular program of mild to moderate exercise, which is also beneficial to reducing stress levels. Take as much rest as possible during the early postpartum months. Let your family members take care of your baby sometimes, and the housework relieves your stress.
Avoid chemical treatments
It is advisable not to colour, straighten, or perm your hair because doing so can damage your hair. Moreover, these are special treatments that require much maintenance, so they should be avoided temporarily.
If you can follow the measures mentioned above and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent postpartum hair loss in the weeks and months after delivery. Consult our hair transplant experts at the best hair transplant clinic in Islamabad & Peshawar.