A good friend of mine recently posted this as her Facebook status: “What is the deal with postpartum hair loss?! The side-effects of pregnancy just never end…” Since I recently had a baby, I was much interested in all the numerous comments from mommies and mommies-to-be. While one of the perks of pregnancy is actually having a fuller head of hair than normal, the downside is that shortly after your bundle of joy arrives that full head of hair is shed. Scary stuff!
We reached out to Dr. Michael Lorin Reed, a board certified dermatologist and women’s hair loss expert (and Lock & Mane’s medical consultant) for more information on this topic. Here’s what Dr. Reed had to say:
L&M: Can you tell us what post-partum hair loss is and what causes it?
Dr. Reed: Post-partum hair loss occurs as a result of a sudden change in female hormones (estrogen) that occur soon after childbirth. Due to hormonal shifts during pregnancy, hairs that would normally be shed actually continue to grow. In the post- partum phase, they play catch-up, meaning that these hairs go into the resting (“telogen”) phase which lasts typically 3-4 months after birth. At that time, new growth (“anagen”) begins and those resting hairs are pushed out. Most women experience some amount of shedding at this point called “post-partum telogen effluvium” and an unfortunate few experience more serious and noticeable hair loss.
L&M: How long does it take for a woman’s hair to recover and be as full as it was pre-pregnancy?
Dr. Reed: Most women will regain their pre-pregnancy hair thickness within 6 months to a year. For women with very noticeable hair thinning resulting from this condition, it takes closer to a year for complete recovery, even though the shedding period only lasts 1-2 months. This is because the hairs not only have to grow back but also achieve a noticeable length.
L&M: Okay, so what can the average woman do to combat the effects of this post-pregnancy hair shedding?
Dr. Reed: I urge my patients to avoid gaining too much extra weight during pregnancy, as sudden weight loss in the post-partum period could potentially exacerbate shedding. Additionally, any sort of crash diet to lose the baby weight should also be avoided. Maintaining a sensible diet is important generally in maintaing hair health. Women who maintain optimal nutrition and exercise regimens prior to childbirth are less likely to have very noticeable post-partum shedding.
L&M: How about medication to help ameliorate the shedding?
Dr. Reed: Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has been shown to shorten the time period for recovery, although some hair loss specialists recommend you wait until you are no longer breastfeeding to begin this type of treatment.
L&M: How about non-medical treatment generally?
Dr. Reed: Volumizing shampoos generally are a big help, and I also recommend tourmaline-type hair dryers, which often help enhance the appearance of volume by causing hairs to separate. The ionized air produced by these types of dryers helps the hair separate and thereby creates the appearance of greater volume. This is purely cosmetic, but the results are significant in making the hair appear thicker during this shedding period.
