Postpartum hair loss is a temporary and normal change in new mothers. During pregnancy, you have noticed your hair getting thicker and shiny. But few months after child birth, you may see excessive hair shedding on your comb or your pillow. But don’t panic! Because this is the natural phenomenon that occurs to women after child birth. Let me show you why.
If you’re dealing with this problem and get yourself uncertain of how and why to cope, we have all you need to know so you can comfort yourself. Also, we have the best ways to combat the issue so you can enjoy voluminous hair when your hair growth is restored.
Why does postpartum hair loss happen?
Hormones are the main cause of your postpartum hair loss due to your estrogen level drops. During pregnancy, your elevated levels of estrogen reduce the usual hair loss rate and your hair falls out in small quantities consistently. The impact is compounded by your expanded circulation and blood volume, which makes your hair fall out less than before.

After childbirth, your hormone levels drop and your hair compensates for some recent loss by falling out in a lot greater bunches than it regularly does. The absolute volume of your hair fall isn’t more than you would have lost in the nine months of your pregnancy. It seems like it for the reason that it’s occurring all at once.
You can’t really prevent your postpartum hair loss. It is due to hormone change after child birth. Some women loss their hair more than the other and some woman can gain back their voluminous hair earlier than other women.
When does postpartum hair loss begin?
Postpartum hair loss usually occurs two to four months after childbirth and continues for ten to twelve months. In most cases, this is normal and your hair growth will restore itself normally within half a year. In case you’re breastfeeding, the additional hair may hang onto your scalp until you begin to supplement with solids or formula.
If it seems like your hair falls out in huge chunks, don’t stress as this is only your body’s method of recalibrating and your hair growth should return to normal in due time.
Useful tips for dealing with postpartum hair loss
We have found some useful tips that will surely help you to reduce your postpartum hair loss and makes your hair strong and healthy.
Massage your scalp and hair regularly
A good scalp massage can reduce hair loss. Studies has shown that scalp massage increase hair volume and promote blood circulation which will lead to hair regrowth.
Choose good quality natural hair oil like castor, coconut, olive oil, or almond oil to massage your hair for postpartum hair loss treatment. Utilize lukewarm hair oil to massage your scalp at least two to three times a week. Follow it up by wrapping your head with a hot wet towel for five minutes and wash your hair with shampoo, thereafter. If you follow this hair care routine regularly for three months so you can get incredible outcomes.

Some people use good essential oil such as rosemary, lavender, cedarwood, thyme etc and these natural and essential oil stimulate hair follicles, increase oxygen and deliver nutrients to the hair follicles. Massage with these oil promote hair regrowth. Essential oil shall mix with water before you apply to your scalp.
Eat healthy food
Your diet or eating routine also plays a significant role in determining your hair growth. You need to ensure your hair is getting all the important nutrients by following a healthy diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Dairy products, vegetables, and fruits are major sources of these nutrients.
A balanced healthy diet ensure our body has sufficient nutrients for our body functionality including supplying good nutrients to our scalp and better blood circulation for healthy and shinny hair.
Eggs is one of the great source of protein and biotin. Biotin has proven for hair loss treatment and eggs have higher biotin content compared to other foods besides organ meat like beef liver. See the list of biotin source of food in this link.
Take vitamins
Taking multivitamin is a good choice to supplement whatever is lacking in your daily diet. It is also useful to keep taking those vitamins especially if you are fully breastfeeding. Taking those vitamins before and after childbirth is suggested particularly the one that contains biotin which helps in hair loss treatment. But always consult your doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Use natural hair masks
We suggest you to add the egg to your diet as well as applying on your hair. To make the egg white mask, add two tsp of olive oil with two egg whites and mix them well. Apply this mask from the roots to the tips of your hair. Leave it for about thirty minutes before washing it off with a shampoo. You can use this mask three to four times a month for healthy hair development and deep conditioning.
The hair mask of coconut milk is also helpful for hair growth. Dip the cotton in coconut milk and apply it to the roots of your hair. Leave it for around fifteen minutes and wash it with shampoo. It keeps your hair well-nourished and deeply conditioned. You can use this mask two times in half a month.
Select the volumizing shampoo
Select a shampoo that can protect your hair while cleaning your hair and scalp effectively. Read the ingredients written on its label to ensure that they are natural or not. See that it should not have Silicones, Parabens, SLEs, and SLS, or any other harmful chemicals. You should use anti-hair fall shampoo which has Coconut-based, Low-lathering cleansers to clean your hair that will help you reduce the harm caused by pollution and harsh chemicals.

Change your hair style
We know as a new mother, you’re always lack of sleep and your busy nursing schedule even taking five minutes break to do your hair style can be difficult. To take care of that, we’ve rounded up some easy and quick hairstyles to make you look better.
A donut bun is a donut-shaped hair accessory that allows you to roll your hair up into a voluminous and full bun with less effort. The ponytail is also a quick hairstyle that may seem basic but there are different ways to elevate a ponytail that requires minimal styling.

And you know what, short hair style can make your hair look thicker too. Do not comb your hair too frequently as it may pull and stretch your hair, causing more hair fall.
Conclusion
Postpartum hair loss is absolutely normal and you do not fear that you will become bald one day as your hair will eventually grow back after 1 year. Try out the remedies and share with us your experience / outcome. Is there any significant hair growth?
If you still experience heavy hair fall after 1 year, it may be due to some other factors which are not due to change in hormone as a result of postpartum. To feel secure, always consult health professional or doctor and seek for early treatment.
Happy reading!
Related post “What is postnatal care“, “Cesarean section recovery“