Postpartum Hair Loss: What to Expect After Pregnancy

Postpartum hair loss alarms many new mothers. A few months after the birth, hair starts to come out in handfuls, often just when sleep is short and everything else feels new. It helps to know that this is a normal, temporary shedding, and that the hair returns.

Why it happens

During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen keep more hairs than usual in the growing phase. Fewer hairs are shed, and many women notice thicker hair. After the birth, estrogen falls back to its usual level. The hairs that were "held" in the growing phase move into the resting phase together and then fall out a few months later.

Dermatologists describe this as excessive shedding, not true hair loss, because the follicles are healthy and new hairs replace the old ones.

A typical timeline

The timing varies from person to person, and it can differ from one pregnancy to the next.

What it looks like

• More hair in the shower drain, on the pillow and in the brush.
• Thinning that is spread over the whole head, sometimes most visible at the temples.
• Later, short "baby hairs" along the hairline as regrowth comes through.

Caring for your hair meanwhile

1. Be gentle. Use a wide-tooth comb and detangle from the ends.
2. Skip tight styles. Tight ponytails and buns pull on hair that is already loose. Use soft scrunchies or clips.
3. Choose light products. A volumizing shampoo and a light conditioner on the ends make hair look fuller. Heavy conditioners and "intensive" formulas can weigh fine hair down.
4. Limit heat and chemical treatments for a while.
5. Consider a new cut. Shorter styles or soft layers can hide regrowth and are quicker to manage.
6. Keep long hairs away from the baby. A loose hair can wrap tightly around a baby's finger or toe. Check tiny fingers and toes if your baby is crying without an obvious reason.

Eating well

Growing hair needs protein, iron and other nutrients, and pregnancy and breastfeeding increase your needs. Eat regular, varied meals and continue any supplements your doctor or midwife has recommended. Do not start high-dose hair supplements without advice, especially while breastfeeding. See Nutrition and Hair Health: Nutrients Your Hair Needs.

Does breastfeeding cause it?

Breastfeeding does not cause postpartum shedding. The shedding follows the change in hormones after birth, whether or not you breastfeed.

When to see a doctor

Postpartum shedding should ease by itself. See a doctor if:

• Your hair has not returned to its usual fullness about a year after the birth.
• You notice bald patches, or a scalp that is red, scaly or sore.
• You also feel very tired, cold, low, or have a racing heart or weight changes.

Thyroid problems and iron deficiency are both common after pregnancy and can cause hair loss. A blood test can check for them. Some women also find that hereditary thinning becomes noticeable at this time. Hair Thinning: Causes and When to Get Help explains other causes.

Looking after yourself

It is normal to feel upset about losing hair at a time when your body has already changed a great deal. The shedding is not a sign that you are doing anything wrong. Rest when you can, accept help and talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor if you are worried.

Stress and Hair Loss: Understanding Telogen Effluvium explains the general process, known as telogen effluvium, and Hair Growth Cycle: How Hair Grows and Sheds describes the hair growth cycle. To check whether hairs are shedding or breaking, see Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences.

Related on ArniSun

• Stress and Hair Loss: Understanding Telogen Effluvium
• Hair Growth Cycle: How Hair Grows and Sheds
• Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences
• Nutrition and Hair Health: Nutrients Your Hair Needs
• Hair Thinning: Causes and When to Get Help

Sources and further reading

• American Academy of Dermatology: Hair loss in new moms: Dermatologist tips
• DermNet: Telogen effluvium
• NHS: Hair loss