Postpartum Hair Loss: What Causes it and How Can I Prevent It?

Pregnancy is a Pandora’s box, and post partum hair loss in women is one of them. Forget about acne, skin deformation, and weight gain and other issues, hair loss is a huge challenge to many women.

What causes hair loss after giving birth?

During pregnancy, your body undergoes so many changes, especially hormones. Most notably, the estrogen levels shoot high, altering the hair growth cycle. To help you understand the changes that result in postpartum hair loss, let’s look at the hair cycle.

Phases of hair growth

There are three phases of hair growth: anagel, catagen, and telogen.

1.      Anagen phase

The anagel phase is marked by fast/active hair growth. In most cases, this phase lasts between two and six years Your hair will always be 80-90% of the time in this phase.

2.      Catagen phase

 In this phase, your hair follicles will be shrinking. You might notice the rate of hair growth going down, and in some cases, hitting a plateau.

3.      Telogen phase

 The telogen phase is also known as the resting stage, whereby the hair falls.

Now that you have basic knowledge of the hair growth cycle, let’s discuss the triggers of hair loss.

After delivery, the estrogen levels drop instantly, making your hair go to the telogen/resting phase.

After this phase, you start to notice a significant hair loss. It is estimated that after this phase, you lose an estimated 100 hair strands every day. This is not a small amount of hair loss, hence the name telogen effluvium, meaning, excess shedding of hair.

How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?

Postpartum hair loss is a temporary condition that ends after a few months. In most cases, the hair loss starts at three months after delivery and ends at 12 months, before growing again.

However, you should not push yourself too far as this period can vary from one woman to another.

Is Postpartum Hair Loss Common?

Postpartum hair loss is a very common occurrence in women, and most of them have reported to have experienced it. If you are undergoing this phase, hold on, it will end.

Which women are at a higher risk of postpartum hair loss?

Postpartum hair loss can affect any woman. However, if you are in this category, you are at a higher risk of shedding excess hair after birth:

• Battling menopause.
• Battling the effects of chemotherapy or side effects of other medication.
• Making hairstyles that strain the hair such as tight braids or ponytails.

What are the myths and misconceptions about postpartum hair loss?

Given the limited information and knowledge on postpartum hair loss in women, there are so many myths around the topic. These are the most common myths surrounding postpartum hair loss and growth.

• Only intellectual women get postpartum hair loss.
• Wearing wigs and other clothing covering the hair makes it shed off.
• Stress and depression make women lose hair permanently.
• Excess dandruff causes hair loss in women.
• Shaving your hair makes it grow two times thicker and stronger.
• Shampooing your hair daily for several weeks makes it fall off.
• Applying dye or perming the hair makes it fall off.

How Does A Healthcare Officer Diagnose Postpartum Hair Loss?

A healthcare provider can diagnose postpartum hair loss through the following:

Scalp biopsy- Removing a small piece of your scalp skin for tests.

Trichospy- Examining the scalp under a microscope.

Blood tests- To check the hormone levels (sex hormones and thyroid) and essential minerals and vitamins (vitamin B, vitamin D, iron, and zinc).

Pulling the hair to see how many strands come off.

Can a healthcare officer ask me any questions about postpartum hair loss?

Yes. A health practitioner will ask you the following questions to help them diagnose postpartum hair loss:

Personal Observations:

• Does anything seem to reduce the hair loss?
• Have you noticed any improvement or worsening in your hair’s health?
• Does any product, diet, or lifestyle worsen the hair’s health?
• How long have you been losing the hair?
• Are you losing hair in other areas such as the legs, eyebrows, and armpits?

Habits:

• Which hairstyles do you expose your hair to?
• What hair products have you been using?
• Which foods do you eat, and are they rich in essential nutrients?
• Were you diagnosed with trichotillomania (the habit of pulling hair)?

Familial and Medical History:

• What foods does your diet comprise?
• Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with hair loss?
• What is currently stressing you?
• Have you ever suffered from hair loss before?
• Are you currently under medication or supplements?

How is Hair Loss Treated?

The treatment of postpartum hair loss and hair loss in general depends on the primary causes.

• If the hair loss was caused by styling the hair with tight ponytails or perming, avoid them.
• Hair transplant surgery.
• If you shed hair due to nutritional deficiencies, change your diet or take supplements.
• In case you lost your hair due to hormonal changes after birth, it will grow on its own.
• Injection of protein-rich plasma (PRP).
• HairMax Lasercomb® low light laser for FPHL and Theradome LH80 PRO® helmet.
• Estrogens
• Minoxidil (under the recommendation of a healthcare officer after diagnosis).
• Steroids.
• Microneedling the scalp
• Spironolactone and other anti-androgens.

Do Hair Treatments Have Side Effects?

Some hair loss treatments have side effects. These include:

Shock loss (hair falling off the transplanted area), infections, and folliculitis in the case of surgery.

Abnormal hair growth in other areas other than the scalp in the case of Minoxidil. You might get the hair growing on your cheeks or even forehead.

Irritation, itching, redness, and dryness of the scalp in the case of Minoxidil.

Tips to Help You When Battling Postpartum Hair Loss

• Cut your hair short and add layers to make it appear full.
• Colour/dye your hair to make it appear fuller and thicker.
• Massage your head when washing the head to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. This would trigger hair follicle development.

Bottom Line

Postpartum hair loss and hair loss, in general, can break and lower your esteem to the dungeons. The relieving thing about hair loss is that it occurs to many other people, due to several reasons. If you are battling this nasty condition, use the tips above to manage. Above all, walk with your head high. You’re beautiful, and this, too, shall pass!