{"id":4660,"date":"2023-05-21T18:56:01","date_gmt":"2023-05-21T18:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/?p=4660"},"modified":"2023-11-24T18:55:34","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T18:55:34","slug":"self-care-postpartum-hair-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsmooh.com\/self-care-postpartum-hair-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Postpartum Hair Loss: Causes & How to Find Relief"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s clear this up right away: Hair loss after birth is very normal. More than normal actually\u2013it\u2019s almost always expected. But even though most moms go through it, there’s still no doubt that postpartum hair loss can cause a lot of negative or unwanted emotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re preparing for the postpartum stage or currently deep in, understanding the causes, timeline, and treatment options for postpartum hair loss is the key to getting through it fast.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of Postpartum Hair Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In normal pre-pregnancy hair, there are three stages of hair growth, according to the National Library of Medicine<\/a>. They are anagen, catagen and telogen. Learning about each stage is necessary to understand what causes postpartum hair loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anagen<\/strong> is known as the growth stage of your hair and is the longest phase in the cycle. During this time, new hair fibers are formed from cells at the base of the follicle, which then slowly grow outwards as the hair we see. The anagen stage usually lasts for several years and can be extended depending on various factors such as genetics, health issues, and lifestyle habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catagen<\/strong> is the second stage of the hair growth cycle. This period lasts for about two to three weeks and is also known as the transition phase. The hair follicle will detach from its root and slowly shrink in size and stop growing. During catagen, cells below the surface of the scalp are resting and not actively growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Telogen<\/strong> is the final stage of your hair cycle. It\u2019s considered the resting phase, or shedding phase, in which existing hairs are dormant and begin to shed. During telogen, hair follicles completely rest and do not produce any new hairs. As a result, no new hairs will grow during this period until it\u2019s complete and the anagen phase begins again. The length of telogen varies from person to person but typically lasts three to four months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, when you are expecting, an overflow of pregnancy hormones triggers your hair to get stuck in the anagen<\/a> stage, or growth period. After birth, estrogen levels drop and hair transitions into shedding again jumping back into the telogen phase with an excess amount of hair waiting to be shed. This is why you will notice large clumps of hair falling out or thin spots on your scalp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does postpartum hair loss happen to all moms? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

40 to 50 percent of moms experience some sort of postpartum hair loss, according to the American Pregnancy Association<\/a>. It can depend on a lot of factors including age, genetics, nutrition, and hormones. Some moms will notice it more than others, some might not even notice it at all. Just know that either way, it\u2019s all normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal shifts cause hair loss to typically begin 2 to 6 months postpartum. \u201cThough it sometimes occurs sooner or later than this,\u201d states Dr. Leah Ansell, MD, FAAD<\/a>, a leading Board-Certified Dermatologist at Treiber Dermatology Associates based in Rye, New York. There is no strict countdown to when postpartum hair loss will start – everyone is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Postpartum Hair Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not sure if you\u2019re experiencing normal hair shedding or if it\u2019s postpartum hair loss? If you gave birth a few months ago, you might be in that golden time frame. Here are some signs moms notice when going through their postpartum period hair loss stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n