Postpartum hair loss is the sudden shedding and l
oss of hair around three months after giving birth. So you’ve had a successful childbirth. But now you’ve noticed clumps of your hair falling out! You begin to wonder if this is the affect of the stress of the pregnancy, or giving birth, or now of taking care of your baby. Or are you just going bald?!
Yes, your hair loss is definitely caused by the trauma of giving birth and changes caused by your pregnancy. However, this type of hair loss is treatment and is unlikely to be permanent when you take the right steps.
Many women who are Postpartum end up with some type of hair loss. Postpartum hair loss normally occurs 8 weeks after giving birth and will continue on going as much as 6-9 months afterward. On top of that, women who are in their 30’s and have actual genetic hair loss in the family, can oftentimes have permanent issues with postpartum hair loss unless treated.
Why Postpartum Hair Loss Occurs
- Dramatic changes in hormone level, especially estrogen, is the biggest reason for your pregnancy hair changes and postpartum hair loss.
- Second to this is nutritional deficiency associated with the mother’s increased nutritional demands in this postpartum stage of life.
Estrogen and Your Hair
Hair grows in three different stages:
- The Anagen phase or the Growing stage which lasts for several years
- The Catagen phase or the Resting phase which lasts for 2 weeks
- The Telogen phase or Shedding stage which lasts for a 6-8 weeks
Studies shows that the estrogen hormone not only protects against hair loss, but also stimulates thicker hair growth. Estrogen can actually lengthen the growth phase so more hair is growing any given time.
During pregnancy, your estrogen levels are going to be 50 – 100x greater than normal.
This higher concentration give women hair that is thicker, healthier and more plentiful than usual.
Low Estrogen Levels and Postpartum Hair Loss
Then what happens after childbirth, especially if you’re breastfeeding, is that your estrogen levels drop from 50 – 100x normal level to low, lower than normal, because when breastfeeding, the hormone Prolactin, is produced mainly to help women produce milk after childbirth and suppresses your estrogen level. The reduced level of estrogen hormone tends to cause hair loss.
When the estrogen hormone levels drop, the hair follicles fall under the influence of the male sex hormone or the testosterone, or primarily its derivative DHT. This then causes the shortening of the growth phase of hair and subsequently noticeable hair loss. This is also known Androgenetic Alopecia or female-pattern hair loss.
Additionally, the dramatic drop in estrogen can also trigger a traumatic hair loss response known as Telogen Effluvium. Telogen Effluvium is stress shed that normally lasts up to 6-9 months from the onset of drastic shedding. Telogen Effluvium will usually naturally grow back on its own unless there is female pattern hair loss present. In that case, you must treat the female hair loss to hair growing back normally again.
Nutrition and Your Hair
The nutritional requirements of mothers change dramatically going from pregnancy to now postpartum. Especially when you’re breastfeeding, the demands on your body are now extraordinary.
Nutritional deficiency and Post Pregnancy Hair Loss
Insufficient caloric intake as well as deficiency in these nutritional components can lead to hair loss:
- Vitamin D – Low serum levels of Vitamin D are associated with female hair loss. You can get Vitamin D from the sun, but you can also receive it from fortified food sources.
- Iron – Low serum ferritin levels have been linked to increased rates of hair loss. Iron is an important nutrient in restoring hair growth and preventing shedding.
- Biotin – As an essential B vitamin (B7), biotin acts as a cofactor in the body for a variety of metabolic reactions including the formation of various proteins and amino acids.
- Minerals – Copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc are just some of the minerals that help to maintain hair health and aid in the ability of our hair to function properly.
So as you can see, a well-balanced diet postpartum is crucial for overall health and well being, but becomes particularly important for hair health.
Dealing with Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss is often traumatic and stressful. But there are things that you can do about it.
Yes, you can reverse hair loss after having a baby and cause your hair to regrow rather quickly when you have treated all the causes of the loss.
Here’s how:
- Consume a Complete Hair Vitamin – FoliGrowth Ultimate
Your nutritional requirements have changed dramatically from pregnancy to now, postpartum. Again, if you’re breastfeeding, your demands on your body is extraordinary.
Low vitamin nutrient bio availability is often an exacerbating factor to post-partum hair loss. It is important to take an complete multivitamin specifically for the hair, skin and immune system that can provide the nutrients necessary to get hair growing properly again.
The FoliGrowth Ultimate Hair Vitamin is a Post Partum Hair Vitamin by Advanced Trichology is a perfect vitamin not only to begin to protect your hair, but also as a complete multivitamin. It contains optimal levels of Vitamin D, Iron, B vitamins, and other detoxifying agents necessary for hair growth and health. This coupled with the Nutraviv creates the optimal environment for regrowth.
- Use a Natural Topical DHT Blocker – Nutraviv Scalp Serum
Because there is a drop of estrogen to lower than normal levels with postpartum women it is important to find a way to block DHT on the scalp to help prevent hair loss. DHT, a derivative of testosterone, shrinks hair follicles making hairs susceptible shrinking and falling out.
Postpartum breest feeding mothers can’t take any medication internally to DHT so the solution is a topical application on the scalp that can protecti the hair follicles from DHT and is safe for postpartum mothers.
The Nutraviv Hair Growth Serum is an herbal scalp serum which is topically applied directly to the area of hair loss. This produces optimal results in a short period of time along the frontal and temples area that are converting higher levels of DHT.
Topical Nutraviv scalp serum has numerous herbs which when applied to the scalp that act like as topical DHT blockers. Because it a topical application, it’s perfectly safe for breastfeeding mothers. Just take note to always wash your hands after applying the formula and before contact with the baby. Effects normally will occur within 6-8 weeks of daily use.
You don’t have to use it forever, but it is ideal for the first 6 months to one year after giving birth to get your hair back on track.
Conclusion
Postpartum hair loss is very common and is caused by a drop in estrogen levels and nutritional deficiency that naturally occurs postpartum.
There are solutions that are effective and safe. Learn more about the FoliGrowth Vitamin and Topical Nutraviv Scalp Serum in Postpartum Hair Loss Treatment Kit.
Or both products are available on Amazon.
For more solutions for postpartum hair loss or a free phone consultation with hair loss expert William Gaunitz WTS, go to Evolution Hair Loss Institute.
