Dealing with post-partum hair loss

THE pregnancy glow is a real thing — women look plumper, their skin firms up and glows, and their hair gets thicker and more luxurious. But after pregnancy many women lose this glow, and some even experience a condition called post-partum hair loss.

This is defined as a condition which causes new moms to see noticeable hair loss a few months after having a baby. This is normal, and dermatologists refer to the condition as excessive hair shedding. The excessive shedding is caused by falling oestrogen levels.

The American Pregnancy Association (APA) says the most common period of hair loss occurs approximately three months after delivery. The rise in hormones during pregnancy keeps you from losing your hair, but after delivery, the hormones return to normal levels, which allows the hair to fall out and return to the normal cycle. The normal hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy may fall out all at once.

“Up to 60 per cent of your hair that is in the growth state may enter into the telogen resting state. The hair loss usually peaks three to four months after delivery as your hair follicles rejuvenate themselves,” the APA said. “Hair loss returns to normal within six to twelve months.”

The APA explained that approximately 90 per cent of your hair is growing at any one time, while the other 10 per cent enter a resting phase. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place. Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy. Hair loss during pregnancy is not uncommon as it affects somewhere between 40 to 50 per cent of women, but, like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.

Does pregnancy cause abnormal hair loss?

Hair loss that is connected to pregnancy usually occurs after delivery. During pregnancy an increased amount of hair go into the resting phase, which is part of the normal hair loss cycle.

This condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, and it should begin to diminish within three to four months after delivery. If you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

What to do

There are a number of things that you can do to have healthier hair and/or reduce hair loss during pregnancy and after delivery. Here are some suggestions from the APA:

•Consult with your health-care provider to ensure a proper balance of hormones.

•Avoid pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids, and tight hair rollers which can pull and stress your hair.

•Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth.

•Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica.

•Hair is fragile when it is wet, so be gentle; avoid fine tooth combs.

•If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, use the cool setting.

•Supplement your diet with the following nutrients:

– Vitamin B complex

– Biotin (Possibly safe; orally and appropriately)

– Vitamin C

-Vitamin E (Likely safe if the amount does not exceed the recommended daily allotment; possibly safe if it does)

– Zinc (most likely safe when used orally and appropriately; likely unsafe when used orally in high doses).