7 Tips to Reduce Hair Fall Post-Delivery

 

 

A baby comes with all the wonders for the new parents. There are lovely moments in a new mother’s life like holding your baby in your arms, the feel of first feeding when the baby smiles for the first time, the list is overwhelming. After a lengthy and good hair during pregnancy, most new mothers experience heavy hair fall post-delivery

But with these pleasures, some post-pregnancy issues also arrive like painful nipples, stretch marks, or postpartum hair loss; which stay for a few months. After a lengthy and good hair during pregnancy, most new mothers experience heavy hair fall post-delivery.

Hair fall is

a hurting problem, there are home remedies to overcome hair fall and grow hair post-delivery which you can try to reduce hair fall after pregnancy.

It is important to understand the reason for hair fall post-pregnancy, as it can be more than the anxiety of handling your days of the loaded baby work plan.

What are the Causes of Hair Fall?

Women enjoy thicker, longer hair during their pregnancy, and when the pregnancy ends, in no time start stressing about their hair falling post-delivery.

Let us discuss the causes of hair fall post-pregnancy:

Hormonal changes

As per a recent study, a person loses 50-100 hair strands in a day. Normally, 90% of our hair is in the growing stage and the remaining 10% is in the resting stage. After the resting phase, the hair falls off and gets replaced by new strands of hair.

During pregnancy, the increased levels of estrogen send hair into a resting step. As the majority of the hair is in the resting phase, it gives a thicker hair. Hence the hair fall during pregnancy is much lower compared to the hair fall post-delivery.

After delivery, the estrogen levels come down to regular, and the hair cycle comes out of the resting phase, leading to heavy hair loss. Hair fall post-delivery is known as ‘Telogen Effluvium’ and usually stays for three to six months after delivery.

Nutritional deficiencies

Hair growth and hair structure are significantly impacted by calorie and protein, and micronutrient insufficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies can be due to dietary practices, and medical conditions.

Decreased protein intake

Proteins are the building blocks of hair strands. The deficiency of protein intake after delivery causes postpartum hair loss. Sufficient protein consumption provides the body with the required amino acids to grow hair fall post-delivery.

Thyroid issues

Severe, untreated, and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. This hair loss is diffused, affecting the entire scalp. The scalp appears uniformly light due to hair fall. Treating any thyroid issues is critical to treating hair loss post-delivery.

Birth control pills

Birth control pills have the hormone progestin. Progestin is a hormone that has an androgenic action that can cause hair fall. Having such pills to avoid new pregnancy, after a recent delivery can cause hair loss.

Stress

Stress is not good for the body!
Stress forces a large number of hair follicles into the resting phase. Affected hair may fall out while combing and bathing within a few months. Managing stress helps recover hair growth.

Hairstyling products

Regular use of hot styling devices, such as hair dryers, curling wands, and straighteners, can make hair dry, lead to breakage, and fall out.
Regular use of hair colors with bleach can also cause hair fall. Extreme use of chemicals leads to loss of hair elasticity.

Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep damages the body, it leads the body to unwanted stress. A lack of sleep inhibits the normal cellular functioning of the body, resulting in hair loss.
New mothers manage to get very limited sleep causing hair fall post-delivery.

A healthy and nutritious diet after pregnancy helps prevent hair loss and maintain good health. Drink plenty of juices and eat a balanced diet to reload all the lost minerals and nutrients during pregnancy and delivery from your body.

To overcome hair fall post-delivery ensure you must include food items like:

Fruits and berries

Fruits and berries are a rich source of vitamins and minerals helping your hair get its necessary nourishment resulting in healthy hair growth and thickness. They improve keratin production in the hair follicles, making hair strong, shiny, and voluminous.

Vegetables

Curry leaves: Curry leaves act as a perfect antidote for hair loss, as it contains keratin, required for hair follicle appearance resulting in hair growth and shiny hair.

Green leafy vegetables: These are the greatest nutrients that control hair loss.
Leafy Vegetables like Kale, Spinach, and Collards.

It contains vitamin A, iron, beta carotene, folate, iron, and vitamin C.
A cup of spinach contains approximately 6 milligrams of iron. Iron helps the red blood cells of the body to carry oxygen which helps with the growth and repair of the cells and hair follicles.

Nuts

Walnuts, Cashews, Pecans, Almonds, and Brazil nuts.

It provides the zinc required for healthy hair. Walnuts also contain alpha-linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids that act as natural hair conditioners.

Tips to reduce Hair fall Post-delivery

1. Maintain a healthy diet

We all understand that maintaining a healthy diet is an important factor for optimal health and well-being.
Particularly for postpartum women, a healthy diet can benefit your overall recovery and stop hair loss post-pregnancy.

Ensure that your diet contains the necessary proportion of vitamins and nutrients found in vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruit. Make a habit to drink more water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

2. Take nutritional supplements

If you are affected by hair loss, speak with your doctor about taking vitamin or mineral supplements to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
Most doctors recommend the following to overcome hair fall post-delivery:

• Vitamin B complex and/or biotin (B7)
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

These nutrients may already be present in your postpartum recovery plan, so be sure to consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

3. Reduce stress

Taking necessary steps to decrease your stress levels has the added advantage of helping to control hormone imbalances.
Practice various relaxation methods like mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises.
Prepare time for regular exercise, which can also help reduce stress.

4. Change your hairstyle

You may have heard that many new moms go after their baby is born. While many women turn to the mother for practical reasons, the shorter style may also help lessen the appearance of hair loss.
Limit vigorous brushing to avoid splitting the hair and try not to pull the hair forcefully into styles like ponytails, cornrow braids, or weaves.

5. Go natural

During postpartum hair loss, try tolerating your tresses only instead of coloring your hair or using harsh gels and sprays for styling.
You may choose natural oils, which are said to help strengthen hair growth and stop hair loss.
You can try to add a few drops of peppermint oil to your shampoo that can moisturize the hair and enhance its shine.

Consume flaxseed oils. This may help reform optimal levels of essential fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9, which promote healthy hair.
You can try to gently massage almond oil or castor oil into the scalp as this can promote hair growth.

6. Change your hair care routine

You may find that changing your hair care routine can help stop further hair loss.
Try using a postpartum hair loss shampoo with biotin and silica and a deep-moisture conditioner.

Hair is more delicate when wet so clean gently after you wash your hair or wait for it to dry. Set your hairdryer to a cool setting and avoid using hot rollers or straightening irons to prevent additional damage that can be caused by extreme heat.

7. Home Remedies to Reduce Hair Fall Post Delivery

Select good quality organic hair oil like coconut, almond, castor, or olive oil to massage your hair as a part of home remedies for hair fall post-delivery.

• Use lukewarm oil to massage the scalp at least once or twice a week.
• Follow this step by covering a wet hot towel on your head for five minutes. Thereafter wash your hair with chemical-free and natural shampoo.
• Hair care steps are followed regularly for at least three months and can get great results in treating hair fall after delivery.
• Using amla oil with coconut oil and applying it to the scalp to keep hair strong and shining is also the best home remedy for hair growth and thickness.
• Neem oil for massage gives an antibacterial effect and promotes hair growth.

As per a recent study, almost 85% of new mothers suffer from hair fall post-delivery. There is nothing abnormal about it.
Follow these simple tips to overcome hair fall. Eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and avoid all types of stress. Worrying about it might do more harm than good to the postpartum hair fall. Take a break from unhealthy eats and habits and give it some time, your hair will be back to its former glory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why hair fall is more after delivery?
Dermatologists refer to this condition as excessive hair shedding. This is caused due to the decrease in estrogen levels.

How can I stop my hair fall after breastfeeding?
There is no treatment for postpartum hair loss.
However, if it is a concern, a person can try additional hairstyles or volumizing hair products.

What helps hair loss after pregnancy?

• Try to have a healthy diet and lots of fruit
• Enough proteins and dry fruits.
• Keep your scalp and hair clean.
• Avoid pulling and tying hair.
• Vitamin supplements.

When should postpartum hair loss stop?
By six months postpartum, the hair loss should slow to pre-pregnancy amounts.

What lack of vitamin causes hair loss?
Lack of vitamin D in your body can lead to hair loss. Vitamin D plays in stimulating new and old hair follicles.

Does hair grow back postpartum?
The hair you shed after having a baby will grow back over time.

Can B12 stop hair loss?
Vitamin B12 supplementation may help with hair loss, the results are immediate. Your hair will still follow a normal growth cycle.

What is the best time to wash your hair?
If you want to wash your hair in the morning, make sure to give it enough time to dry naturally.

What can I use instead of shampoo?

• Egg.
• Coconut Milk with Olive Oil Mix.
• Water and Lemon Juice.
• Tea Tree Oil.
• Baking Soda.