How to cope with hair loss after having a baby

Why does your hair change during and after pregnancy?

The average person loses up to 100 hairs a day, but not all at once, so it’s not usually very noticeable. When you’re pregnant, however, your body has higher levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which prevent those hairs from falling out. Some studies suggest the hormone prolactin also leads to less hair loss and more growth, making your hair look and feel thicker¹.

After pregnancy, when your body no longer has to support your baby, your hormone levels drop and the hair sheds. However, you’re not actually losing more hair than normal. It’s just that your hair is falling out in larger clumps than it ordinarily would, so it can seem more obvious.

Dr Leila Asfour, a dermatologist at the British Association of Dermatologists, says women may notice an increase in hair shedding and thinning in general over the whole scalp, called telogen effluvium.

"This is due to changes to the hair cycle, which causes the hair to fall out faster than it normally would,” she explains. “It tends to occur around three or four months after having their baby."

Over time, the hair cycle tends to return to normal, although this can take several months."The majority of women do not require any treatment for hair loss after a pregnancy as the hair cycle will eventually go back to normal without any treatments," says Asfour.

Postpartum hair treatments for hair loss

Unfortunately, there are no treatments to prevent or slow down the hair shedding process. However, there are treatments you can try to make your hair appear thicker and healthier.

Use volumising haircare products

Volumising shampoos and conditioners can make your hair look and feel thicker by adding body to it. These products won’t stop your hair from shedding or make it grow faster, but they may improve the look of your hair.

Eat well

Food shopping and cooking may be the last activities on your mind when you’re looking after a newborn. However, eating a diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, fibre, and healthy proteins will make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need, which will keep you and your hair healthy.

Eating well doesn’t have to be too complicated or time-consuming. Avocados and eggs are a good source of protein and healthy fats, which boost your skin and hair health². If you’re short on time, smashed avocado and poached or scrambled eggs on wholegrain toast is a quick, filling meal.

The nutrients zinc and selenium are also important for healthy hair. You can find zinc in fortified cereals, wholegrain bread, nuts, red meat and chicken. Selenium is found in pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, shellfish and eggs. Vegetarians can get selenium from spinach, green peas, beans and potatoes. A jacket potato with beans and some veg on the side is another easy, quick meal.

Take vitamins or supplements

Although no specific vitamins have been shown to affect hair loss, they can help support your overall health. "Other things to consider during and after pregnancy which can impact hair growth include women's thyroid function, iron levels, vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin B12 - also known as folate," says Asfour.

"Boosting these can support the overall hair health. After having their baby, women can become iron deficient, so it is important to check these levels during and after pregnancy."

Use the right contraceptive

Women often start contraception after pregnancy, but Asfour says it’s worth being aware that certain contraceptives can make hair shedding worse³.

"We would recommend a contraceptive with a low androgen index if possible, avoiding the progesterone-only ones if appropriate," she says.

Patient picks for Pregnancy complications

Pregnancy

When you should and shouldn't worry during your pregnancy

Often seen as a time of bump-patting, nursery-decorating and eager anticipation, pregnancy can also be fraught with worries. Most women, particularly during their first pregnancy, experience unexpected symptoms, and may find it hard to know when to seek help.

by Gillian Harvey

Pregnancy

High blood pressure in pregnancy

Some women already have high blood pressure (hypertension) before they become pregnant and they may be on treatment for this. You can also develop high blood pressure whilst you are pregnant, which returns to normal after your baby is born. This is called gestational hypertension. There is a separate, less common condition called pre-eclampsia which can develop during pregnancy. This involves high blood pressure as well as other symptoms. This condition can become serious and needs extra care.

by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP

When should you speak to your doctor about hair loss?

"If hair loss persists for more than six to eight months after giving birth, then this could indicate a hair disorder and medical treatments might be necessary," says Asfour. "We would recommend speaking to your GP or arranging to see a dermatologist with an interest in hair disorders."

It’s also important to make sure there isn’t an additional cause for your hair loss, such as an infection or stress⁴.

Further reading

1. Muacevic et al: Effects of Hormones and Endocrine Disorders on Hair Growth.

2. Guo et al: Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use.

3. Graves et al: Alopecia due to high androgen index contraceptives.

4. American Academy of Dermatology Association: Hair loss.