Hair Loss Post Partum

Postpartum hair loss

One of the concerns of new mothers when it comes to beauty is related to hair loss after childbirth. The woman may notice that after the birth of her baby loses more hair than usual: more hair remains on the brush, on the pillow, on the clothes, in the shower.

Don't worry, it's absolutely normal. Most women lose hair in the months after giving birth. We explain why hair falls out in the postpartum period and how to take care of it to recover your mane.

Hormones and hair

During pregnancy, the whole body is revolutionized by the action of hormones, and hair is no exception. A woman's hair undergoes changes because the placental hormones cause an increase in sebaceous secretion from the scalp. Therefore, depending on the type of hair a woman has before becoming pregnant, the changes will affect her in one way or another. Some hair looks better than ever, while others become brittle, greasy or dull.

These hormones are also responsible for hair falling out less during pregnancy. The secretion of estrogens keeps almost all hair growing.

Once a woman gives birth, two or three months after childbirth, there is a massive fall of all that hair that has not been lost during pregnancy. If it is normal for 50 to 100 hairs to fall out per day, in this phase many more fall out.

After childbirth, the hormones rebalance and the hair that had been stopped in the growth phase during pregnancy begins to fall out quite suddenly and abruptly.

It is not true, therefore, that breastfeeding is responsible for hair loss after childbirth. It is one of the false myths that surround it and has nothing to do with breastfeeding. A woman who does not breastfeed also has her hair fall out the following months after having her baby.

What to do to strengthen it hair-postpartum

Postpartum hair loss is nothing to worry about. It is a normal and natural physiological process that a woman experiences after giving birth. However, there are some tips you can follow to take care of your hair at this stage.

Nutrition is very important, as the hair bulb is nourished by the vitamins and minerals it receives through the bloodstream. What you should do is eat a varied and healthy diet and not only to strengthen the hair, but for your health and the health of your baby.

Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, dairy products and cereals. Pay special attention to foods rich in vitamin B (oats, soya, brewer's yeast, chicken, fish, avocados), Omega 3 fatty acids present in blue fish, nuts and some vegetables, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, iodine and zinc (meat, lamb, wheat germ, pumpkin, peanuts, oysters, chickpeas, spinach, etc.).

In addition, in the phase of greater fall avoids aggressive hair treatments, excessive use of dryer and irons, and uses a mild shampoo with neutral PH.

There are also nutritional supplements to strengthen the hair and provide density and volume, as well as specific lotions and shampoos for hair loss, but if in doubt consult the doctor as some are not compatible with the period of pregnancy and lactation.

As you can see, hair loss in the postpartum period is a natural process that most women who have just become mothers go through. Even so, if you notice excessive hair loss, unpopulated parts of the scalp or that the hair loss lasts for a year or more, it would be advisable to see a specialist.