There are so many beautiful moments throughout the pregnancy journey, including how gorgeous your hair is—thanks in large part to hormones. But following birth as those hormones start to shift again, mothers begin to undergo postpartum hair loss which can be confusing and shocking.
And no, losing your strands post-childbirth is not due to the stress of the momentous endeavor you're undertaking as a new parent. Here, a 101 class on everything you need to know about postpartum hair loss and how you can treat it.
WHY POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS HAPPENS + THE ROLE HORMONES PLAY
The most significant factors in postpartum hair loss and beautiful pregnancy hair are hormones. After giving birth, the high levels of estrogen you had during pregnancy drop, which leads to many strands falling out at once. The aforementioned estrogen staved off hair loss during pregnancy, so the overall deficit after delivery seems drastic, but is usually only equal to the amount that would've been lost over the ten-month course of pregnancy.
This shedding can start happening the day after giving birth, spanning as far out as a year later, with month four usually being the peak. If you are still dealing with excessive hair loss after the first year, we recommend a visit and consultation with a dermatologist.
HOW TO GET FULLER-LOOKING HAIR THROUGHOUT YOUR HAIR LOSS PERIOD
Postpartum hair loss is nothing to worry about: it's common that most new parents' hair thins after giving birth. There is no particular treatment that can reduce the amount of strands you will lose or prevent the shedding altogether. But we can help you get fuller-looking hair until this temporary moment is over. Here, some of our go-to tips.
ADD VOLUMIZING PRODUCTS TO YOUR ROUTINE.
Thinning hair can often appear flat and dull because it lacks the body and density that gives it that luscious volume. We created the Full Blown Volume collection for this very reason and its magic is real: it delivers double the volume with none of the weight. Add it to your routine and have a big hair day, every day.
OPT FOR AIR-DRYING OVER HEAT STYLING.
Texture gives your strands an automatic lift, unlike the sleek hairstyles that come by way of hot tools that also need heat protectants applied first. We've created the perfect air-dry cream in our Baby Blonde collection to enhance your waves and add shine. And you don't need to be a blonde to use it.
CHOOSE FINGER DETANGLING OVER BRUSHING.
When your hair is shedding, brushing can exacerbate the issue. So, opt for detangling your hair with your fingers instead of the friction and pull that comes from a brush. You'll still get the separation your hair needs without the harsh treatment. If your texture is bit curlier or coiled, try detangling in the shower after applying conditioner or nightly before you put your hair in its overnight style.
