Many new moms notice their hair loss three months around postpartum. Sometimes it is quite dramatic. The studies of 436 women in the year after their babies born found that their hair loss increased after the first month, with a peak at 6 months.
Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne report that twenty percent women in this study experienced hair loss subsequent to the birth of a child. Other research has indicated that this shedding usually begins about 2-3 months postpartum and continues for an average of 2-3 months but can continue for a year or longer.

Then, what make this type of hair loss?

The commonest cause of this hair loss known as telogeneffluviun. This is condition where a large number of hair follicles suddenly go into the resting phase of the hair cycle and that make hair shed in large amounts.

photo credit: _boris

For your information, this is how the hair growth cycle works (sorry, it’s a little bit technically):

All hair has two-growth phase, termed anagen, and telogen or a resting phase. Anagen lasts approximately 3 years on the scalp, while telogen lasts roughly 3 months although it can be variable between individuals. During telogen phase, the resting hair remains in the follicle until it is pushed out by growth of a new anagen hair.

– From Telogen Effluvium by Elizabeth CW Hughes, MD

This kind of hair loss can sometimes be severe and quite alarming for the patient, but the good news is that it subsides on its own after a few months and the hair cycle returns to normal. No treatment in this situation can stop the process and plenty of reassurance is usually enough.

Other possibility might be alopecia areata. This is relatively common disorder where the patient suddenly noticing a round or oval bald area. There may be one or several bald patches and the condition is caused by antibodies which against its own hair follicles for some unknown reason.

However, again, the most usual situation is that this form of hair loss stops by itself with the hair re-growing after an interval of time. Usually this is within 2-3 months. If you have any bald patches, my advice would be to see your doctor for further advice, but if it slight hair loss I would sit tight for a few weeks to see what happens.

So, what can you do while you wait for your hair to return to its normal growth cycle?

• Get a good haircut. Some moms choose this time to get a shorter haircut or one that requires less care.
• Experiment with different hairstyles.
• A good quality shampoo and conditioner may help.
• Try different styling products, such as mousses or texturizers that “bulk up” the appearance of your hair.
• Avoid using a brush or comb that pulls or stresses the hair.
• A multivitamin/mineral supplement may be helpful. Make sure you’re getting enough protein.

Postpartum hair loss is a normal change that is unrelated to breastfeeding. Most women will return to their usual hair growth cycle between 6 and 12 months after birth. See your doctor if you feel your hair loss is greater than the norm, or if things are not back to normal by the time.

Tags: postpartum hair loss, female hair loss, hair loss pregnancy

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