It’s been stated that about 40-50% of women experience postpartum hair loss. If you end up being one of these women, there’s no need to fear! I’ve had this happen to me twice, so I have some great tips to share with you about how to manage postpartum hair loss.
A few months after my first daughter was born, I started noticing in the shower that my hair was falling out in handfuls. I would literally run my fingers through my hair and strands would fall out easily. After this kept happening for several days and then weeks, I became very concerned and considered purchasing a biotin supplement. I read, however, that it was a completely normal occurence and that I need not fear losing all of my hair. And eventually, my hair stopped falling out and everything returned to normal.
I didn’t experience this at all with either my second or third births. Three months after my fourth birth, however, my hair started falling out again. This time, I lost such a large amount of hair that I was pretty concerned.
It wasn’t like the first time I experienced postpartum hair loss; this was much more intense. It, in my opinion, was actually noticeable. I could also feel how thin my hair was becoming, and it was concerning.
So I purchased a biotin supplement, which did absolutely nothing. I looked up videos on YouTube about how to grow my hair back quickly, but realized hair still takes about 3 months to grow back. I also considered stopping nursing, if that would help.
I discovered that nursing has nothing to do with postpartum hair loss because it’s hormonal, not nutritional. I also learned that my hormones would regulate eventually and that I would have my full volume back by the time my baby was one. That seemed like a long time away, but I realized there was nothing I could do but commit this whole thing to the Lord and do what I could to minimize hair loss as much as possible. So I changed some things and started seeing some better results. Now, my hair loss is almost completely stopped, for which I’m so grateful!
Here are the 10 things I did and what you can do if you’re experiencing postpartum hair loss:
Cut your hair
I read somewhere that postpartum hair loss is most likely to occur with women who have long hair. I have very long hair, so it makes sense that this has happened to me twice!
I learned how to trim my own hair by watching YouTube videos (there are several!). Like I said, my hair is very long, so trimming a few inches is not really noticeable. It makes your hair appear fuller, and can help prevent tangling with dead ends. Plus, I prefer saving the $20+ it costs to get a haircut. You may prefer to go to a professional, but at least you have an option!
Keep taking your prenatals
As I said, I had originally thought that breastfeeding was the cause of my hair loss. After some research, however, I realized that it was hormonal and had nothing to do with nutrition. Still, I kept reading that it was a good idea to make sure you’re keeping up with your nutrition.
My favorite vitamins are Garden of Life’s RAW Prenatals. They are hands down the highest quality vitamins I’ve found on the market, and did wonders for my energy level during my last two pregnancies. I would also recommend making sure your intake of omegas is where it needs to be. For this, Garden of Life has a product called Oceans Mom that I highly recommend. At least you can be confident that you’re providing your hair with the nutrition it needs!
Use a wide toothed comb
A few weeks into my hair loss, I realized that the brush I was using was probably making the hair loss worse. I purchased a very wide-toothed comb to make sure it wasn’t pulling hair out unnecessarily. Also, I figured out that parting my hair into smaller sections when combing it was helpful as well.
Experiment with different hairstyles
I used to wear my hair in high buns on my head. However, after I started noticing that I was losing the hair on the sides of my head, I started side-parting it into a low braid/ponytail. I would also wear wide headbands, especially when I was coaching. Now, those side hairs are growing out (they’re a little more than an inch), and I’ll soon be able to wear my hair like I used to 🙂
Don’t wash your hair everyday
My hair would fall out when brushing it after showering. So instead of washing every day or every other day like I used to, I resigned to washing it twice a week.
Be kind to your hair
During this time, avoid putting your hair into hairstyles that will pull on your hair or leave your hair tangled. I recommend either leaving it down if you can, or putting it into a loose braid. Also, try not to use straighteners/curling irons and do further damage to your hair.
Eat a nourishing diet
You want to make sure you’re doing your part to provide your hair follicles with that they need during this time. Foods like onions, sweet potatoes, salmon, avocados, eggs, almonds, and flax seeds support hair regrowth, so put ’em in your diet!
Relax! You’re not gonna lose all your hair 🙂
Although it may feel like all your hair is gonna fall out, it won’t. The average person has about 100,000 hairs on their head. Because your hair is in the resting phase for longer than normal during postpartum, it’s estimated that you’ll lose about 10-15% of your hair. Guys, that’s 10,000-15,000 hairs!! That’s a lot of hair!! And when that much hair is falling out over weeks and months, it can feel like it’s all gonna be gone pretty soon.
Don’t be discouraged, though! It may take a few months, but it will start slowing down, and eventually normalize. Then you’ll have your hair back and you can encourage other women who are going through the same thing!
Cast all your cares
Studies show that stress can also cause hair loss. You don’t need to be stressing about anything during this time, even the fact that you’re losing your hair!
We need to get used to transferring all of our concerns to Christ. 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast all of our cares on Him because He cares for us. I believe that the fact that God cares for us is the foundation of why we can even trust Him in the first place. So no matter what stressful situations we face as moms or what we go through with our kids, we have been reconciled to the Father through Christ, and He desires to father us even as we function as mothers on this earth.
So cast all your cares upon Him…hair loss included 🙂
Contact your doctor if you’re concerned
Postpartum hair loss is treatable. If you’re really concerned about your hair loss, just call your doctor and discuss it with him 🙂
Was helpful? Comment below and let me know!
Related Posts:
The Holy Spirit: Every Mom’s Personal Helper
Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
9 Things You Need for a Smooth Postpartum Recovery
7 Things to do in Your Hospital Postpartum Room