Postpartum hair loss is very normal, but it’s pesky, nonetheless. Here are some products that can make you feel more in control.
Best conditioner: John Frieda Volume Lift Weightless Conditioner|Skip to review
Best supplement if you're not breastfeeding: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplement|Skip to review
Best supplement if you're breastfeeding: Nutrafol Postpartum Capsules|Skip to review
Best topical treatment: Women's Rogaine Unscented 5% Minoxidil Foam|Skip to review
Best hair mask: Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3|Skip to review
Many people experience thicker, shinier, and healthier hair overall during pregnancy. This is due to increased hormone levels that
“Although women aren’t necessarily growing many more strands of hair, they’re keeping more of them,” she said.
But that often changes around 3 to 6 months postpartum, when hormone levels decrease and those extra hairs the body was holding on to start shedding.
Those likely sleepless nights and stressful days spent calming a fussy newborn certainly don’t help your hair return to normal, either.
If you’re breastfeeding, postpartum hair loss may appear closer to the 6-month mark, notes Brendan Camp, MD, a Manhattan-based dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. This is because breastfeeding prolongs the drop in estrogen levels.
While you can’t prevent postpartum hair loss, there are a handful of products that can help set you up for regrowth. Here’s what dermatologists recommend to new parents.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $10
- $$ = $10 to $30
- $$$ = $31 to $50
- $$$$ = over $50
A note on safety
Oral supplements are tricky because they’re
not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated . Before taking any sort of supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to consult a lactation specialist or your OB-GYN.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests talking with your doctor if it’s been a year since giving birth and your hair hasn’t returned to its usual fullness.
Shedding can last for months, and it generally peaks 4 months after giving birth, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Most people will see an improvement within the first year of giving birth.
However, there is a distinct difference between postpartum hair loss (telogen effluvium) and shedding due to your estrogen level dropping.
Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that most commonly causes non-scarring alopecia. It results from a stressful event like surgery, a serious illness, or childbirth. It’s quite different than shedding caused by a drop in estrogen levels.
“Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, and a drop in estrogen levels can cause the hair to enter a resting phase and shed, which is typically less severe than postpartum hair loss and occurs on a regular cycle,” Vallecillos said.
While both can result in shedding and thinning of the hair, postpartum hair loss is typically more severe and can last for several months.
“Shedding due to a drop in estrogen levels as a consequence of the menstrual cycle, conversely, is self-limiting, much less severe, and resolves quickly when estrogen levels normalize,” Vallecillos said.
If you’re still experiencing hair loss or lack of improvement after a year, online services such as Hers can pair you with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms, determine if there is another underlying cause, and prescribe medications if necessary.
Topical minoxidil may be one option. While generally considered safe while breastfeeding, it’s important to tell the healthcare professional you are breastfeeding.
The other common medicated hair loss treatment is finasteride, which is not recommended for women.
Often, hair loss following pregnancy is not really hair loss. Rather, it’s excess shedding of the hair you grew during pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This excessive shedding usually starts within a few months after having a baby.
How long it lasts varies, but many people see their hair return to its normal fullness and volume before or by their baby’s first birthday.
Some cases of postpartum hair loss may be attributed to certain vitamin deficiencies, such as iron. But in most cases, postpartum hair loss is actually related to telogen effluvium, a condition where hair falls out rapidly in response to stress, said Marisa Garshick, MD, a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York.
“Telogen effluvium in the postpartum period is most likely due to the physical stress of delivery and the change in hormone levels,” she said.
“Generally, this type of hair loss is considered temporary and may occur 2 to 3 months after delivery, during which it can help to optimize any vitamin deficiencies, including iron, vitamin D, zinc, and B12 to strengthen and support overall hair growth.”
There’s no research to support that breastfeeding itself causes hair to fall out. However, there is research to support that hair loss is associated with the postpartum period in general.
“People are often breastfeeding during the postpartum phase, so it’s possible the hair loss that may seem to be related to breastfeeding may simply just be related to being in the postpartum stage,” Garshick said.
Postpartum hair loss may be related to changing hormone levels and delivery.
There’s little to no evidence that supports taking prenatal vitamins to prevent postpartum hair loss. However, that does not diminish the importance of taking prenatal vitamins.
When you’re pregnant, your body has drastically different needs for various vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. For example, the National Institutes of Health recommends taking folate because your body needs more folate during pregnancy. This vitamin is essential to fetal brain and spinal column development.
Some nutrient deficiencies are associated with a reduction in hair health. Notably, during pregnancy, it’s common to experience low iron levels.
New moms may also be low on protein, especially if they’re breastfeeding. Vallecillos explains this can directly affect hair health.
“Hair is made up of proteins, mainly keratin, which requires a variety of vitamins and minerals to support its growth and maintenance,” he said.
He recommends making sure you’re getting adequate amounts of iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin D for overall health.
If you’re unsure about what to eat or what supplements to take before, during, and after pregnancy, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Experiencing hair thinning or hair loss can be concerning, especially when you’re postpartum. It can feel like a really sour cherry plopped on top of the massive hill of changes your body has endured.
But products are available to help return some normalcy to your locks. And in most cases, hair loss is temporary.
