Are you experiencing hair loss after giving birth to a newborn? If so, you aren’t alone. Many women experience this phenomenon in the months following their pregnancy.
The postpartum period is a very important time for you and your newborn to bond and adjust. Defined as the six weeks after giving birth, this period is when the mother’s body returns to a non-pregnant state.
The biggest difference between your body during pregnancy, and your body during the postpartum period is your blood volume and hormone levels. It is normal to lose small amounts of hair every day, but during pregnancy, your levels of estrogen rise and disrupt the usual amount of hair loss. Your blood volume also rises and contributes to preventing normal daily hair loss. This is why many women’s hair seems thicker while they are pregnant.
After you give birth, your blood volume decreases and your hormone levels drop. This drop causes your hair to fall out in much bigger clumps than you are accustomed to. Although the total volume of hair loss is likely not any more than you would have lost over the past nine months, it can be scary to experience because the hair loss happens all at once.
How Much Postpartum Hair Loss is Typical?
Typical postpartum hair loss is about five times more accelerated than normal hair loss. Postpartum hair loss begins any day after you give birth to your newborn, and typically culminates around the four-month mark. Typically, we lose about 80 hairs throughout the day. New mothers often shed up to 400 hairs per day. This means you may notice more hairs staying on your pillow or clogging up the shower drain.
Though the timeline for postpartum hair loss varies from person to person, it is common for women to notice hair loss two to four months after giving birth. Hair loss normally returns to normal amounts about six months following pregnancy. If the shedding has not slowed by then, it may be time to speak to a doctor, as other health issues may be at play. Some people experience a condition called postpartum thyroiditis, of which excessive hair loss can be a symptom.
Millions of women struggle with postpartum hair loss. Though there is no cure for postpartum hair loss, there are several ways you can treat it. You can make small changes such as not styling your hair with high heat or better eating habits. If your hair loss is troubling you, there is a treatment to consider that is ideal for women facing a thinning head of hair.
Scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic process that involves injecting small amounts of pigment into the skin, creating the natural appearance of a fuller head of hair. Most of our clients complete their treatment within 2 to 3 sessions.
Let the scalp micropigmentation experts at Hairline Ink help you resolve your hair loss issues and get back to what really matters: your growing family! We offer Scalp Micropigmentation in over 50 US cities. Call or text us today at 833-HAIR-INK (833-424-7465) to schedule an appointment, learn about our pricing, or get a free quote!
