Connection Between Hair Loss and Postpartum
Ross Dalangin

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Summary/Intro

Normally, women would not even notice it but they lose around 100 hairs a day. Right after delivery, a lot of new mothers are surprised to find they are shedding hair more than they usually do. Most new mothers would find that more hair fall when they shower. Postpartum hair loss normally happens and will go back to regular growth when their child reaches the age of one.

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Normally, women would not even notice it but they lose around 100 hairs a day. Right after delivery, a lot of new mothers are surprised to find they are shedding hair more than they usually do. Most new mothers would find that more hair fall when they shower. Postpartum hair loss normally happens and will go back to regular growth when their child reaches the age of one. 

The span of our hair could be divided into three phases; the Anagen Phase where the cells of the hair bulb divide and produce a strand of hair, the Catagen Phase where the hair stops to grow and the Telogen Phase where the hair rests until it falls off the scalp. 

During pregnancy, there is an imbalance in the mother’s hormones. Estrogen is increased thus increasing the number of scalp hair the Anagen Phase, prolonging the growing period of hair. Estrogen keeps your hair from falling off.  Hair does not develop out of its growing stage. The number of scalp hair entering the Catagen and Telogen Phases decreases. There would be lesser hair in the resting period and even lesser number of hair falling. This results to fuller and thicker hair on pregnant women. 

But like all good things, it must come to an end. After giving birth, the mother’s estrogen level would make a significant drop. When the estrogen level goes back to normal, the extra hair goes off as well. This is a medical condition known as telogen effluvium. As a result, more hair follicles go into the resting stage. After the resting period, hair will then fall out. With more hair going into the resting period, more hair will fall. Hair loss occurs because a lot of hair follicles in the scalp shed all at the same time. 

This phenomenon is typical to mothers in postpartum period. But not every new moms experience hair loss. But among those who experience after delivery hair loss, majority of them have long hair. 

There is no need to panic. You will not go bald. It will take a while for hair growth to normalize. Usually it takes around six months to a year for hair loss to stop. When the hair follicles revert to the Anagen phase once again, hair growth will once again start. Telogen effluvium is a condition that is self-corrective and no medical treatments are required. It is only temporary and after a few months your hair would grow normally and be thicker again. Just remember that hair lost during the postpartum period is not permanent and you will regain it after your hormones go back to normal. 

During the postpartum period you can keep your hair healthy by eating the right food. New mothers should also take prenatal vitamin supplement. Be gentler with your hair during this period. Shampoo only when necessary and use the conditioner that is right for your type of hair. Use only wide-toothed combs so as to prevent tangles from happening. And do not pull hair into tight hairdos.

 

 

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