Surviving: Post Partum Hair Loss
It was a classic story: I had long beautiful luscious hair during pregnancy and even longer beautiful hair during the first two months postpartum. I was tricked into feeling good about how I looked. I was shedding some weight with the help of breast feeding and my kid hadn’t started pulling at my hair yet, so when it was clean, it looked pretty good. And then, around 3 months PP, all hell broke loose. From what I heard after frantically reaching out to all my friends, my story is not unique BUT what I’m here to share is a few tips I found (and used religiously) to help combat the inevitable and feel a little more in control during a time where control is hard to gain.
First I’d like to share a little science. Normally, 80-90% of our hair is in the growth (or anagen) phase at any time. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can stimulate an increase in the percentage of hairs in that phase (hence the beautiful long locks). Because of this, fewer than normal hairs are in the resting or shedding (telogen) phase. After baby is born and that wonderful hormonal shift occurs, a then larger than normal number of hairs re-enter the shedding phase, which correlates with average length of the resting phase (3 months). This results in what appears to be extreme hair loss in many women (especially those with long hair, yay me.) Due to this “hair loss” really following the normal scientific path of hair growth and shedding, the dreaded postpartum hair loss SHOULD balance out and return to normal around 6-8 months post partum, when the average growth stage begins again. [info found on kellymom.com and various other google searches]
So like any red blooded American millennial, I scoured the internet (and posted on my insta stories) for home remedies for postpartum hair loss. I was desperate and I was willing to do just about anything to stop this madness. To my demise, so many mamas responded on Instagram that they had experienced exactly the same thing, and nothing worked. I was crushed, but not giving up the good fight. Here I was, three months PP, finally feeling as close to “pretty” as someone who just birthed a baby can feel and then WHAM! All my hair was falling out? What? My confidence took a hit. As much as I hate to admit that, I was feeling the lowest I had felt. My hair was coming out in clumps, in the shower, when I brushed it, when I ran my fingers through it.. and I needed to regain some control. Here are the tips I found, followed and really felt like it helped:
- Got a hair cut – this helped my confidence immediately. Would 10/10 recommend. Especially if you love your stylist – Myriah, you da real MVP. (she’s at Blue Lion Salon in Katy, Texas if you’re in need of a good one!)
- Bought a Wet Brush. This was also a game changer. Brushing your hair is proven to stimulate growth, but I found that while my hair was all falling out, brushing it was even more traumatizing. The Wet Brush really minimized the damage and didn’t pull as much hair out.
- Started ONLY using Invisibobble hair ties. Teleties is another awesome brand. These little guys reduce damage and breakage exponentially and don’t leave creases at all! Still using them every day.
- Started a Hair, Skin, and Nails, supplement. I was still taking my pre-natal (which is another highly recommended piece of advice to PP hair loss) but after speaking with my OBGYN, PCP physicians I work with, and other mamas, I was assured it was safe to take biotin while breastfeeding. I decided to use Nature’s Bounty brand (which is the same brand I used for my pre-natals).
- Rosemary Essential Oil + Castor Oil + Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil hair masks 1-2 times a week. Through my research, all three of these items are recommended and found effective for hair growth stimulation. I am ALL about trying natural remedies and figured, even if it doesn’t necessarily stimulate growth, at least my hair will be healthy and hydrated. I also decided to use the Castor Oil on my eye brows and eye lashes and definitely saw a difference in length and thickness. I purchased Plant Therapy brand for the Rosemary E.O. and Namskara Castor Oil both from Amazon.com. I bought the Coconut oil from Kroger.
- Adding Vital Protein Collagen Peptides to my coffee every morning. Collagen is amazing for improving skin elasticity, supports healthy hair, skin, and nails, and bone and joint health. After doing some brand research on this one, I felt that Vital Proteins was a transparent, clean company that I could trust. They sell their collagen in big tubs, they sell sample packs, and individual packages.
- Find a couple hats you really like. Find some this headbands you feel good wearing. My hair loss was the greatest/most noticeable at my temples, and I wear my hair up in a pony tail to work every day. This stage is tough. Feeling pretty and confident is tough. So help yourself out in any way you can.
After about 4 weeks of this regime, I really truly felt like I saw a difference in regrowth, the healthiness of my hair, and my confidence level. I think the most important part of all of this for me was regaining some control in a situation where I felt like I was completely spiraling. Adding all of these things into my routine could ONLY benefit me, were safe during pregnancy, and I feel have truly helped. I know some of you are probably reading this and thinking, how the hell did she find the time? Honestly, I made it easy on myself. Always left all my supplies out on my bathroom counter, made sure I used the showers that I did get in to utilize the tools I now had, kept the collagen tub by my coffee maker and took little individual packs to work if I had forgotten in the morning.. anything to make life easy. Now, 10 months postpartum, I have about 2 inches of beautiful regrowth (that is very fun when styling) and I feel like my hair is on the right track. So if you’re where I was 7 months ago, I hope these tips help! Sending all my love and light.
XOXO – JT
