DEALING WITH POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS

It’s a situation that’s familiar for millions of new mums across the world - you start to settle in at home with your new baby, and after a few months, that thick, lustrous mane you enjoyed during pregnancy starts to disappear.

If you’re struggling with hair changes after having your baby, here’s everything you need to know about the changes your hair’s going through after giving birth - and how to care for it during your fourth trimester.

What is postpartum hair loss, and when does it start?

If you start losing or shedding hair after your pregnancy ends, it’s known as postpartum hair loss; the condition is also called postpartum alopecia.

It’s an extremely common issue for women who have just given birth, as the elevated oestrogen levels they enjoyed during pregnancy (think glowing skin, strengthened nails and, yes, terrific, thick hair) start to drop.

This sudden oestrogen drop causes more hairs to enter the ‘shedding phase’ simultaneously, as the body readdresses the hormone imbalance. The result is often noticeable fine or thin hair, usually starting around 2-4 months after you have your baby.

How long does postpartum hair loss last?

Postpartum hair loss tends to be temporary, and hair growth typically stabilises within 6-12 months.

What are the signs of postpartum hair loss?

There’s no set list of postpartum shedding symptoms, but you may notice two or more of the following 2-4 months after giving birth:

• Increased shedding: Noticeable hair loss during brushing, washing, or on your pillow in the morning
• Thinning hair: Your hair appears less voluminous, especially at the crown or hairline. You may also have mild hairline recession, particularly at the temples
• Hair clumps: Clumps of hair may come out during showering or styling
• No bald spots: Postpartum hair thinning and hair loss is normally characterised by diffuse thinning, rather than patchy hair loss and bald spots

Can I prevent postpartum hair loss during pregnancy?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent postpartum hair loss after you’ve given birth - whether it affects you or not is all down to how your hormones behave after having your baby.

If you’re following a balanced diet and staying healthy during your pregnancy and for the first 3-6 months after giving birth, this will help your body recharge and heal, and will give you the best possible foundation for hair regrowth.

How long will my hair take to get back to normal?

It can typically take 6 to 12 months for your hair to return to its normal growth cycle after you experience postpartum hair loss.

For most women:

• Shedding peaks around 3-4 months postpartum
• Regrowth starts by around 6 months postpartum, and new hair growth becomes noticeable
• By 12 months postpartum, recovery is normally complete, and hair usually regains its normal density and thickness

However, this timeline can vary depending on individual factors like hormone levels, your overall health, stress, and nutrition. Some women may take slightly longer to see any progress.

Postpartum haircare tips

Even if you follow a balanced diet and manage to get plenty of sleep when you’re not looking after your newborn, you may find that you’re still affected by postpartum hair loss.

Fear not - here’s a selection of ways to help your hair bounce back.

• Wash your hair gently, and avoid drying it roughly - use an old t-shirt or a microfiber towel to absorb any moisture
• Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week and keep up with regular trims to remove any split ends or broken hairs
• When you’re styling your hair, avoid tugging or yanking on any stubborn knots - gently detangle your hair using a detangling spray and a wide-toothed comb
• Avoid ‘tight’ hairstyles that can put pressure on your roots, such as braids or severe buns, ponytails or updos
• Don’t put any harsh chemicals on your hair, and talk to your stylist before bleaching or dyeing your hair

Thickening haircare products for postpartum mums

As well as treating your hair gently during its regrowth phase, there are plenty of products you can use to boost your strands as your hair recovers.

Our Volume Lift range is designed to infuse fine hair with plenty of volume for weightless styles. It’s infused with Air Silk Technology to boost volume, and leaves your hair with natural volume and bouncy movement.

If you’re struggling with thin hair, let our PROfiller+ range effortlessly give your hair an instant plumping boost. This award-winning range can be used on coloured, wavy or curly hair, and all PROfiller+ products products are designed to be used together to thicken hair overall by 200%*

When using PROfiller+ Shampoo, Conditioner & Spray vs. basic shampoo