Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Hair Loss
For a large majority of women, postpartum hormones cause excessive hair shedding, or telogen effluvium. This is considered normal, but can feel startling and increase stress for new moms getting reacclimated to their body after childbirth while also tending to the demands of a newborn. Here, to help ease your concerns, Dr. Sharline Aboutanos answers some of the most common questions about postpartum hair loss, and discusses medically proven solutions to help with hair recovery.
Why does hair shed?
Your hair grows from individual follicles in what seems like an unbroken process—but hair production is actually a cyclical pattern of growth and loss, which is disguised by the overall volume of strands present on your scalp. The cycle of hair growth consists of 3 phases that repeat throughout your lifetime:
Anagen phase—the active hair growth phase which can last between 2 and 6 years (85%-90% of your hair is in this phase of the cycle at any given time).
Catagen phase—the transitional phase where your hair follicles shrink.
Telogen phase—a resting phase, which lasts about 3 months.
Exogen phase—hair is shed as new hair begins to grow below it, repeating the cycle.
On average, people tend to shed about 100 hairs per day.
What causes postpartum hair loss?
Increased estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy cause a delay in the telogen and exogen phases—meaning the normal amount of hair to be shed is reduced, increasing apparent hair fullness. After giving birth, hormone levels drop and the hair growth cycle synchronizes to the telogen phase, resulting in an excessive amount of hair shedding—this is because all the hair that would have been shed periodically in the months prior is released in a much shorter time frame.
When will postpartum hair loss begin?
On average, postpartum hair loss begins at around 9 weeks—about 30%-40% of your hair follicles will have synchronized to the telogen phase during this time—but can vary between 8-16 weeks after delivery.
Although it may appear concerning, the total volume of postpartum hair loss is unlikely to be more than the accumulation of hair that would have normally been shed over several months.
How long will postpartum hair loss last?
The length of time that each woman experiences increased postpartum hair loss differs but typically ranges from 6-24 weeks. That said, some women may experience excessive hair shedding for much longer, though it rarely persists past 15 months. You will need to be patient with your hair recovery journey as it will take several months for your hair to return to its normal thickness once the telogen/exogen phases are complete.
Are there at-home solutions for postpartum hair loss?
There is no quick fix for treating postpartum hair loss—but there are some simple steps you can take at home to promote healthy hair growth as you go through this process.
Focus on nutrition
Maintaining a balanced diet, rich in nutrients and protein, will not only promote healthy hair growth, it will help you recover from childbirth. A healthy, postpartum diet may include:
Lean meats and fish
Beans
Eggs
Leafy vegetables
Low-fat dairy products
Almonds/walnuts
Incorporating vitamin and mineral supplements will also promote healthy hair growth and may limit hair shedding that can be exacerbated by certain deficiencies. These supplements include:
Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E
Iron
Zinc
Additionally, this study from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that incorporating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplements resulted in a reduction in hair loss in 89.9% of participants and an improvement in hair diameter and density.
Avoid using excessive heat or tight hairstyles
Heat and chemical processes weaken the hair and may cause breakage, resulting in additional hair loss. Although postpartum hair loss affects the entire scalp, thinning is usually accentuated along the hairline. Tight hairstyles put tension on the hair roots and may cause more hair to fall out that would otherwise be shed in a normal hair growth cycle or even damage hair follicles over time, making thinning along your hairline more evident.
When should I see a doctor about hair loss postpartum?
Most women feel their hair has returned to its normal fullness at around 1 year postpartum, with many regaining normal fullness even earlier. If you experience hair loss for more than 6 months, talk to your doctor about your concerns. In these cases, your physician should also consider testing to rule out any underlying causes for your prolonged hair loss, such as thyroid disease, as well as help identify possible nutritional deficiencies.
What medical treatments are best for postpartum hair loss?
There are a few proven non-surgical medical treatments to help you regain hair fullness; these may even increase your overall hair growth.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
PRP injections use platelets extracted from your own blood to deliver growth factors and proteins to your hair follicles and thereby nourish them and promote renewal. According to a study by the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, PRP injections stimulated hair regeneration and the formation of new hair follicles; RealSelf shows that 90% of patients who receive PRP injections for hair loss felt it was “worth it.”
Patients who receive Richmond PRP injections notice a reduction in shedding and see visible results in about 4 months (remember, the hair growth cycle is a lengthy process). For those looking to dramatically improve postpartum hair loss, multiple sessions can be spaced 4-6 weeks apart to maximize PRP injection benefits. While a full series of treatments does require some commitment, you are more likely to be pleased with the results after multiple treatments.
Nutrafol supplements
Nutrafol contains a Synergen Complex (a blend of vitamins, nutrients, proteins, antioxidants, and botanicals) that is formulated to reduce hair loss and increase hair growth. Regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement (it is not classified as a drug), Nutrafol is considered a “nutraceutical” and relies on natural ingredients to address the root causes of hair loss and breakage. Though there is no known method of preventing postpartum hair loss, Nutrafol supplements can help reduce its impact by treating additional factors that contribute to hair loss and thus encourage a faster hair recovery. Some of the key ingredients that make Nutrafol an effective postpartum hair loss treatment option include:
Saw palmetto—a botanical extract that blocks DHT androgen hormones that can shrink hair follicles.
Ashwagandha—an adaptogen that helps regulate a stress hormone called cortisol to prevent damage to hair follicles; ashwagandha may also reduce anxiety and stress.
Biotin—a micronutrient, also known as Vitamin B-7, that is essential for cell growth and the production of keratin.
Keratin—a protein that supports healthy hair and nails.
Nutrafol supplements should be purchased directly from a licensed medical doctor to avoid counterfeit products as well as ensure the supplement is right for you and part of a holistic treatment plan.
About Richmond female plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos offers proven, personalized aesthetic treatment options to support her patients’ well-being and confidence. She has been practicing in Richmond, VA for over a decade and offers non-surgical treatments such as PRP injections, Botox, dermal fillers, and RF microneedling. She also offers transformative plastic and reconstructive surgery options, including breast augmentation and mommy makeover. To learn more about your treatment options or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Aboutanos, call 804.355.3410 or contact us online.