Going Through Postpartum Hair Loss? Here’s How to Deal According to 2 Derms
Becoming a mom comes with so many surprises—some magical (because hey, the fact that you literally made that cute little baby inside you makes you pretty badass), and some not so magical, like suddenly seeing clumps of hair starting to collect in your hair brush and shower drain that weren’t there before. Thanks to a change in hormone levels, your hair was probably thicker, healthier looking, and living its best life during pregnancy. But afterwards, these hormonal fluctuations can lead to excessive shedding that you weren’t experiencing before. As if you aren’t already stressed out enough!
The good news? You’re definitely not alone and you won’t be experiencing said hair shedding forever. It turns out that almost half of new moms experience postpartum hair loss (also called telogen effluvium) in the months after giving birth and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, this is all considered normal hair loss that isn’t a forever issue. We asked two top dermatologists about postpartum hair loss, what to look out for, and how to treat it so that you can start to reclaim your gorgeous hair by your baby’s first birthday.
Meet the Expert
Deanne Mraz, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and president and founder of DMRResearch, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, is an NYC- and New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
It’s all about hormones. “Postpartum hair loss often occurs as a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, which is characterized by increased shedding that may be related to hormonal changes or as a result of the physical stress on the body associated with delivery,” says dermatologist Deanne Mraz, MD, FAAD. During pregnancy, rising hormone levels actually prolong the growth phase of your hair, which is why you experience less shedding and your pregnancy hair feels thicker and grows longer. “Pregnancy hormones (mainly estrogen) alter the hair growth cycle, keeping more than normal hair follicles in the ‘growing phase’ (aka anagen phase) and ‘resting phase’ (aka telogen phase). In the final trimester as those estrogen levels peak, it’s likely you won’t see much shedding at all,” Dr. Mraz tells us.
What Are the Signs of Postpartum Hair Loss?
Being a new mother can be a joyful, yet overwhelming experience and in the postpartum period, it's pretty common to find it hard to balance your own body’s needs with caring for your new baby. Just remember, in the months postpartum, any noticeable hair loss or thinning hair is completely normal. Here’s what to look out for so you can be prepared. For starters, timing is everything. “Telogen effluvium is a noticeable increase in hair shedding in women about two to four months after childbirth and can last up to six months (and is the biggest clue),” according to Dr. Mraz. “A few months after delivery, as these levels even back out, women may see increased shedding as all the ‘extra’ hair follicles that were paused in the ‘resting’ phase are triggered into the ‘shedding phase’ or the telogen phase,” Dr. Mraz adds. You’ll also see some more obvious changes like, increased shedding, thinning around the hairline, and more hair in brushes or shower drains.
What Are Some Ways to Treat Postpartum Hair Loss?
The good news is that while there are lots of options when it comes to postpartum hair loss treatment, postpartum hair loss is temporary. In the meantime, prioritize a healthy, balanced diet, and make sure you’re getting adequate amounts of vitamins and nutrients that can help with excessive hair shedding, like vitamin D. As far as hair care, “It’s best to avoid heavy processing,” says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD. “Use gentle hair products, maintain a healthy diet, and consider treatments for fine hair, such as hair thickening and strengthening shampoos, ketoconazole shampoo, oral supplements, such as NUTRAFOL (which offers a specific postpartum option), or platelet rich plasma injections. In some cases, topical treatments like minoxidil (if approved by your healthcare provider) may be considered too.”
In addition, it’s best to avoid hairstyles that can damage your strands. As much as we love those slicked-back tight ponytails (and our heat styling tools), now might be the time to put down the curling iron. Instead, swap overly hydrating shampoos for volumizing shampoos and conditioners made specifically for fine hair as to not weigh your strands down, keep taking your prenatal vitamins (the biotin and other essential vitamins can help fight fall out), and pull your hair back into protective styles, like loose braids, while you sleep. We’re also longtime fans of a silk pillowcase, to help minimize hair breakage.
How Long Does It Take for Hair to Grow Back From Postpartum Hair Loss?
Our experts agree that you should expect the shedding to stop six to 12 months after giving birth and you should slowly start to see regrowth of new hair around this time. Just be sure to pay attention to the length of time that your hair is taking to stop shedding. “If this hair loss continues beyond the one year mark after you’ve delivered or is accompanied by other symptoms, then you should see your doctor to rule out any medical conditions that might also be at play, such as a thyroid condition or anemia,” says Dr. Mraz.
Final Thoughts on Postpartum Hair Loss
While dealing with hair shedding in the postpartum period can be super frustrating, rest assured that your pre-pregnancy hair will come back in time. In the meantime, don’t be too hard on yourself! Try to do your best to care for yourself too and most importantly, just remember that your beautiful baby has the best mom ever!