The Cause of Hair Loss After Giving Birth
Hair grows in three stages: the anagen or growing stage, the catagen or transition stage, and the telogen or resting stage. Pregnancy hormones lock all the roots of the hair into the anagen stage. At a result, hair grows faster during pregnancy, and may appear thicker, particularly on women with short hair.
When pregnancy is over and hormones return to normal, a greater proportion of hairs than normal will enter the short catagen phase and then the telogen phase (hence the technical name for post-partum shed, telogen effluvium). Hairs in the telogen phase usually remain on the head for about 100 days before shedding out. Because of this, post-partum hair loss often begins at around 3 to 4 months after the birth of the baby, and can continue for a few months or up to a year. Post-partum hair loss usually returns the hair to pre-pregnancy thickness, despite the feeling of balding many women experience, having gotten used to their thicker pregnancy hair.
Hair loss is also a common reaction to stress, usually occurring three months after a traumatic incident. A particularly upsetting or difficult birth may result in a more severe post-partum shed.
Minimizing and Recovering From Post-Partum Shed
Because post-partum hair loss is governed by hormones, it cannot be completely prevented. However, vitamins and diet can help control the shed, as well as encouraging new hair to grow back quickly. These tips may help to minimize post-partum shed and ensure quick regrowth:
- Keep taking prenatal vitamins; many women take prenatals whether they are pregnant or not for the benefits to skin, hair and nails. Otherwise, the specific supplements Biotin (Vitamin H), Silica, Calcium and Zinc all help with hair growth and strength. Omegas, found in fish, avocados and nuts or in the dietary supplements Fish Oil and Flaxseed Oil, are also beneficial to hair growth.
- Scalp massage stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which encourages the hair follicles to grow hair. Scalp massage can be done with the fingers, or with a boar bristle brush—however, the latter should only be used on detangled hair, otherwise it will rip through tangles and cause more hair loss.
- The birthing experience should be as calm as possible. Being well-informed, giving birth in safe and comfortable surroundings, and having a good support system during and after birth will ideally minimize any emotional trauma.
- Avoid thick creams or hair masques which might clog pores. Use mild rather than harsh shampoos. The new growth may initially appear to be finer than older hairs; this is due to the fact that hairs naturally taper at the ends. Thus, the short regrowth may appear 'baby-fine'. Trimming the new hairs will show that they are, in fact, as thick as the original hairs.
- Take care of the new hair!
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