After giving birth, these hormone levels drop rapidly, so “the stress of childbirth, nutritional deficiencies, and even postpartum depression can cause rapid hair loss and resultant hair thinning,” he says. explains.
When does postpartum hair loss start?
While every pregnancy is different, experts say postpartum hair loss typically begins two to three months after giving birth, often peaking around the fifth month, and stopping by the sixth month. . Dr. Marisa Gershick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, reminds us that everyone is unique, and hair loss can last longer in some people. “When you see a dermatologist, he or she will evaluate whether other factors may be contributing,” she says, adding, “Other medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease, hormonal factors. “Blood tests can also be done to assess.” It may be a contributing factor to hair loss. ”
What does postpartum hair loss feel like?
As with pregnancy, the degree of postpartum hair loss varies from person to person. Dr. Elaine F. Kuhn, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology, says it’s common for people who have just given birth to notice a receding hairline, especially around the temples, but there’s no uniformity. It states that things do not exist. There’s a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to knowing if, when, and how your hair will respond to a sudden drop in estrogen.
Dr. Garshick adds that the condition of your hair may also begin to change after giving birth. These changes include increased dryness and oiliness, and even changes in texture. But here’s the good news. All the experts we consulted for this article assured that most women return to normal thickness by their child’s first birthday.
How do I know if hair loss will occur after giving birth?
There’s no surefire way to know if you’ll lose an excessive amount of hair after giving birth, but experts say there are several factors that can increase your risk. “A family history of post-pregnancy hair loss, a difficult pregnancy, twins (or multiple births), or other medical conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, or autoimmune diseases all reduce the patient’s risk. “It can increase postpartum hair loss,” says Dr. Kuhn.
Although you will have many appointments and tests during your pregnancy, your gynecologist does not attempt to monitor or predict hair loss. “We do not instruct laboratories to predict whether a patient will experience hair loss, so it is best to see a board-certified dermatologist for a professional evaluation. ” says Dr. Chen.
How to treat postpartum hair loss?
Unfortunately, there are no specific products to treat postpartum hair loss, but experts agree that there are several ways patients can proactively address this problem. Their suggestions are:
Pay attention to your scalp
Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist, and obstetrician-gynecologist at New York’s fertility center RMA, says it’s important to cleanse your scalp regularly. Dr. Garshick agrees, explaining that if you don’t, “dirt can build up on your scalp and cause seborrheic dermatitis, causing redness and inflammation.”
