Many new moms are often concerned when they start losing more hair than usual in the first few months after having giving birth. Not to worry, this is a completely normal occurrence and there’s no need to panic. In fact, most mom’s hair will grow back to it’s pre-pregnancy thickness before their baby’s first birthday.
Here’s what’s happening. Hair loss that occurs after pregnancy is know as postpartum hair loss. It’s a type of telogen effluvium which is caused by hairs entering the resting phase. And, in doing so, increases the shedding stage of the hair cycle. In most cases, postpartum hair loss will only continue for up to 12 months after giving birth. However, some studies have also suggested that the shedding may last up to 24 months.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
There are many possible causes of postpartum hair loss. And a woman’s hair can be affected by one or more of these simultaneously. But, none of these are cause for major concern. Besides, there are many hair loss treatments and hair restoration options available for temporary hair loss.
Here are a few know causes of postpartum hair loss.
Epidural/C-section
Both an epidural and C-section require the use of a regional anesthetic. With any anesthesia, there is a risk that the woman’s hair cycle could temporarily be disturbed. Additionally, there is an increased loss of blood during a C-section surgery. This may lead to a lower iron level that may result in some hair loss.
Weight Loss
oftentimes, women will attempt to shed their excess pregnancy weight too quickly after giving birth. Sometimes the new mother will follow a crash diet to help speed up her weight loss. Losing more than 15 pounds over a 4 week period can cause metabolic changes which may lead to postpartum hair loss.
Stress
Lack of sleep is common with new moms. And this combined with the stress of looking after a newborn can negatively affect her hair cycle. Stress hormones and stress proteins can cause the growth phase of the hair cycle to shorten temporarily. This can lead to postpartum hair loss a few months later.
Iron Deficiency
Pregnancy is a common time for women to become iron deficient as the developing fetus needs iron. And the pregnant mother is producing more red blood cells. Most women take a prenatal supplement, but stop after they give birth. This can lead to an iron deficiency, which may cause an increase in hair loss. It’s important for a new mother to have her iron, complete blood count, and ferritin checked within a few weeks of having her baby.
How To Deal With Postpartum Hair Loss
Many causes of postpartum hair loss are a natural part of pregnancy and with time, your hair should return to normal. However, to gain faster improvement, women can begin exercising as soon as possible. Taking relaxation time and choose good nutritional diets are also helpful. Moreover, if you’re iron deficient, you really should take an iron supplement for a few months. Make sure to first have any supplementation approved by your physician, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Occasionally, even after regrowth, a woman’s hair may never fully recover. In these instances, we offer a range of long-term hair replacement solutions specifically for women. For more information, call us at (619) 820-0290 or click here to schedule a free confidential consultation.
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