What Are The Signs Of Postpartum Hair Loss?

A lot of time and effort goes into the motherhood journey, and new mothers often feel overwhelmed with caring for their newborn. These duties leave little to no time for self-care, especially when certain aesthetic concerns become more pronounced in the postpartum stage, like postpartum hair loss.

What is postpartum hair loss?

The body continues going through changes even after childbirth, and this includes the scalp. In postpartum hair loss, the hair roots are prematurely pushed into the resting state, usually under the influence of severe or prolonged stress. This type of hair loss is also called “telogen effluvium”.

The hormonal fluctuation during pregnancy and childbirth is the primary cause of postnatal hair loss. This forces more hair strands to enter the resting stage, and eventually falling out a few weeks later.

Not to mention, new mothers may find themselves struggling with the challenges of breastfeeding or getting a good night’s rest. This can add to the stress that contributes to telogen effluvium.

The duration of hair shedding post-pregnancy varies from person to person, but on average this will range between 3 to 18 months. On the brighter side, this duration can be considerably shorter for most women.

What about the healthy hair growth during pregnancy?

It is true that most pregnant mothers enjoy lush, healthy, and dense hair during pregnancy. This is caused by the surge in hormones, more specifically estrogen, which accentuates some of the visual attributes characteristic to women.

As you progress through the different stages of pregnancy, the hormonal activity in your body remains at an all-time high. After the birth of your baby, however, these levels will rapidly drop, resulting in postnatal hair loss.

How is postpartum hair shedding different from the common hair loss?

Postnatal hair shedding is a temporary condition that will subside in a few months. It is normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day, but any more than that is called excessive hair shedding, and this can be incited by several major factors, such as:

• Weight loss
• Hormonal changes; or
• Medications

Hair loss, on the other hand, is usually caused by age, genes, or external factors like chemical substances that affect the scalp health. This compromises the hair growth process, and if left untreated, it can become irreversible.

What signs of postpartum hair loss should I look out for?

Often, the first thing new mothers notice is a sudden increase in shedding, sometimes in clumps. You may find more hairs than usual collecting in the shower drain or on your pillow.

Other signs that you should look out for is the condition of your scalp. Chemically-damaged scalps are more vulnerable to hair loss, as are scalps with underlying conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).

It may look like a scary amount of hair loss, but postnatal hair shedding can be managed through simple lifestyle modification.

• Keep caring for your hair! As this phase is only temporary, continue to tend to your hair as you normally would, without diverting too far from your usual haircare routine. (modafinil online pharmacy uk)
• Include essential vitamins and minerals in your diet! For mothers in their confinement period, this is a great opportunity to increase your iron and vitamin intake to encourage hair growth.
• Try a new hairstyle! A fresh hairstyle can create a visually aesthetic difference. Certain styles can diminish the visuals of hair loss, while others accentuate it.

When should I seek treatments for postpartum hair loss in Singapore?

Though postpartum hair loss is usually not a cause for concern, some mothers may need the extra help to stop the excessive shedding and regain the voluminous, lush hair they had pre-pregnancy.

When the amount of hair shedding accrues over time, between a period of 6 to 8 months, speak to a medical professional to diagnose the underlying cause(s) of the hair loss.

Motherhood can be challenging, and treating your hair loss concerns should be an easy and simple process for new mothers so that you can focus on what’s important: your family. Speak to our scalp care experts about your hair growth journey today.