Thicker, fuller hair is one of the most welcome surprises of pregnancy. Many pregnant women say they have the best hair of their lives during pregnancy. Unfortunately, just like pregnancy, it is temporary.
It can be an unpleasant surprise when your hair starts thinning a few weeks after your baby is born. You may find loose hairs on your pillow and clothing, or hair might clog your shower drain. This increase in hair loss is perfectly normal. It happens because of changing hormone levels after pregnancy.
Learn more about postpartum hair loss (hair loss after giving birth) and what you can do about it.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
When you're pregnant, your body changes due to new hormone levels needed for the baby to develop. The new balance of hormones, notably increased estrogen, changes your hair growth cycle. Hair remains in a growing phase longer during your pregnancy instead of shifting to a resting stage. Since the hair doesn't come to the end of its growth cycle as quickly, you don't lose as many individual hairs each day. The result is fuller hair.
Hair growth cycles
Hair goes through several phases of growth.
- The first phase is the growing phase, also called the anagen phase, where hair is actively getting longer.
- The second phase is called the catagen phase, or transitional phase, where hair growth slows and hair follicles shrink.
- The third phase is the telogen phase, or resting phase, where the hair doesn't grow anymore. After the resting stage, the individual strands of hair eventually fall out. A new hair then starts to grow in its place.
Hair strands are usually in the anagen phase for two to four years. You can expect that 85%-90% of your hair is in this phase at any given time. Once your hair goes into the telogen phase, you can expect it to stay at one length for two to four months. After that, the hair falls out. During your normal hair growth cycle, 100 or so hair strands naturally fall out each day.
Hair loss after giving birth
Once you have had your baby, your hormone levels return to their prepregnancy levels. The drop in estrogen triggers your hair to go back to the cycle of growth, resting, and falling out. A significant portion of your hair will begin the resting phase right away. Several months later, after completing their resting phase, it all starts to fall out.
Postpartum hair loss is noticeable because a person typically loses much more than the 100 hair strands per day. The technical name for this type of hair loss is telogen effluvium, which means excessive shedding. The hormone fluctuations in postpartum women cause more strands of hair than usual to enter the resting stage and then fall out a few weeks later. You may find that you are losing as many as 300 hairs per day.
Is postpartum hair loss permanent?
The increased hair loss after having a baby is not a sign that you are losing your hair permanently. Your hair should return to its usual growth patterns over time. By the time your baby is 1 year old, you can probably expect your hair to be as full as it usually is at the roots. However, the new hairs growing in will be shorter than the other hairs on your head.
If your hair continues to get thinner or doesn't seem to be growing back, you can discuss it with your doctor. You may have another health issue causing hair loss, such as anemia or a thyroid condition.
What Are the Signs of Postpartum Hair Loss?
The main sign of postpartum hair loss is increased hair shedding after giving birth. Most people start to notice it about two to four months after delivery, though it can start earlier or later.
Common signs of postpartum hair loss include:
- More hair on your pillow, brush, or clothes
- Clumps of hair in the shower or sink
- A thinner ponytail or braid
- Hair that looks less full than it did during pregnancy
You may also notice thinning around your hairline or temples. This can make your hairline look patchy or uneven. Although the shedding can feel like a lot, most people don't lose enough hair to get bald spots.
How Is Postpartum Hair Loss Treated?
Postpartum hair loss usually doesn't need treatment. In most cases, your hair growth cycle returns to normal on its own. Hair shedding often slows down by the time your baby is 6-12 months old.
While you can't stop postpartum hair loss, here are some tips to support healthy hair growth:
- Use loose hairstyles that don't pull on your scalp.
- Choose gentle shampoos and conditioners made for thinning hair.
- Massage coconut or argan oil into your scalp.
- Eat nutrient-dense foods and stay hydrated.
- Ask your doctor if you should keep taking prenatal vitamins or a multivitamin.
- Avoid styling your hair with heat when possible.
If your hair continues to get thinner or doesn't seem to be growing back within six months, tell your doctor. In some cases, hair shedding may be linked to another health issue causing hair loss, such as anemia or a thyroid condition.
How Can I Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss?
You usually can't prevent postpartum hair loss. It's a normal part of the body's recovery after pregnancy.
There isn't a specific treatment to stop postpartum telogen effluvium. But doctors suggest eating a healthy, balanced diet with enough protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins. Good nutrition supports overall hair health and may help hair grow after the shedding phase ends.
As new hair comes in, you may notice shorter strands along your hairline or throughout your scalp. These "baby hairs" are simply new growth and are a normal part of the hair regrowth cycle after postpartum shedding.
While your hair is shedding and growing back, a few styling changes may help it look fuller. Lightweight conditioners can help avoid weighing hair down. Volumizing products may add body and make your hair appear thicker.
Some people also choose a different haircut or color during this time. A stylist may be able to suggest choices that work well while your hair regrows.
FAQs About Postpartum Hair Loss
How common is postpartum hair loss?
Postpartum hair loss is very common. Most pregnant people notice hair shedding in the first few months after giving birth. But the amount of hair thinning can vary from person to person.
How is postpartum hair loss diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose postpartum hair loss based on your symptoms and recent pregnancy. Most people don’t get special tests. But your doctor may order blood work if your hair thinning is severe or lasts longer than expected. They’ll want to rule out other causes.
How long does postpartum hair shedding last?
The shedding phase often starts within the first few months after delivery and may last 6-12 months. Your hair may return to its normal thickness after that. But there’s a chance your hair might stay a little thinner than it was before you were pregnant.
Do prenatals help postpartum hair loss?
Prenatal vitamins won't stop or prevent postpartum hair loss. But your doctor may suggest you take a multivitamin after pregnancy or during breastfeeding. These supplements can support overall nutrition and healthy hair growth. Ask your doctor which ones are safe for you.
Does breastfeeding make hair fall out?
No. Postpartum hair loss happens because hormone levels drop after pregnancy, whether you breastfeed or not. But breastfeeding can affect hormone levels and how your body uses nutrients, which might change how long shedding lasts.
