Around the three-month postpartum mark, you might be shocked to find your hair falling out quite rapidly and possibly even in large chunks. Don’t worry; there are some things you can do for postpartum hair loss.
We’re partnering with Sarah Kahn of Sarah Kahn Hair in Seattle, Washington for this article. She is our founder’s hair stylist and an expert on hair care, from all-natural products to cuts that flatter and fit your lifestyle.
Navigating postpartum hair loss can feel intimidating, and you might wonder, “what can I do? I feel like my hair won’t stop falling out!” Rest assured, plenty can be done to curb hair loss and encourage new, healthy growth.
And in the meantime, Sarah includes some suggestions for your haircuts to help you get the most out of your hair.
What triggers postpartum hair loss?
Not everyone loses their hair after birth, but according to the American Pregnancy Association, about 40-50% of those who give birth will experience postpartum hair loss. Hairs lost can jump from about 80 hairs/day to over 400 each day during this time.
Postpartum hair loss happens due to a hormone shift around three months after birth, and while there isn’t much you can do to avoid that shift altogether, keep reading to learn other steps to mitigate your hair loss.
To learn more about postpartum hormones and their impact on postpartum hair loss and beyond, check out our Postpartum Hormone Handbook.
What helps with hair loss during postpartum?
What to do for postpartum hair loss
- Keep your hair as healthy as possible
- Use natural products to encourage hair regrowth and scalp health
- Get your hormone, vitamin, and minerals evaluated by your care provider
- Take approved and research-baked supplements as needed
- Eat a varied diet rich in nutrient-rich foods
We’ve outlined a few steps on what to do for postpartum hair loss, plus Sarah shares her expert take and more tips below:
- Rule out underlying health concerns
- Switch up your part regularly
- Use claw clips and silk scrunchies
- Remove dead ends to promote hair health
- Avoid layers if the hair feels too thin
- Opt for natural products that encourage growth
“First, I have been a hairdresser for over 20 years and have almost always seen postpartum hair loss in nearly everyone who has had a baby. I thought I would escape it myself!
I like to assess and rule out health concerns if the shedding seems excessive. See your doctor or Naturopath to check your thyroid, as sometimes your hair loss can be caused by more than postpartum.
Some tips to get the best-looking hair while your hormones rebalance is to switch up your hair’s part. Sometimes wearing your hair in the same place over an extended period can wear the hair thin.
Next, I would suggest silk scrunchies or claw clips, as these allow you to get your hair out of your face without pulling it too tight.
In terms of haircuts, I think removing dead ends you are holding onto is always a great idea; maybe skip the layers if your hair feels too thin on the ends. Ultimately, consult your stylist; hopefully, they will guide you in what’s best for your hair and lifestyle.
Also, if your budget allows, opt for high-quality, natural hair products to stimulate growth; we have quite a few we love and recommend in our salon, and share more details about them below.”
Ultimately, if you struggle with postpartum hair loss, know that you are not alone, and it doesn’t last forever (and no, you won’t go bald).
What can I use for postpartum hair loss?
There are plenty of products for postpartum hair loss, from supplements to tonics to shampoos and everything in between.
We believe it’s essential to consider the product’s ingredients and quality standards when purchasing something for postpartum hair loss. Sarah shares some of her favorite product picks from her salon below.
1. Reverie Cake
Sarah says, “I love this formula for people experiencing hair thinning from postpartum and daily life.
Cake is formulated with clinically-proven ingredients to protect, restore, hydrate, and soothe your hair. It’s powered by Swiss apple stem cells to create optimal conditions for hair growth and protect against hair fallout.”
2. Tonique Vivifiant
This spray works wonders for those experiencing hair loss and thinning. Plus, spraying it on your scalp is super easy when your hair is wet.
3. Complexe Energisant Vials
These are an intense hair regrowth product using 95% natural ingredients to energize the scalp and to help invigorate tissue and strengthen thinning, lifeless hair. These are applied on the scalp when the hair is wet for three months; then, you take a break.
4. Régénerescence Naturelle
Another easily applied regrowth product we love is Régénerescence Naturelle. This goes on dry hair for a minimum of 20 minutes then you can get in the shower.
Ordering from Sarah Kahn Hair?
Type HELLOPOSTPARTUM in your order notes for a surprise gift with purchase.
Best haircuts for postpartum hair loss
As mentioned above by Sarah, there are some techniques you can use on your current hairstyle to help mitigate the appearance of overall hair loss, including switching up your part, trimming dead ends, and skipping the layers if your hair feels too thin.
Other haircuts you could consider are:
- Fringe bangs
- Curtain bangs
- Blunt shoulder cut
- Shag cut
Of course, walk through your haircut options with your stylist before committing to anything (looking at you, panic-induced bangs).
Final thoughts on what to do for postpartum hair loss
Ultimately, the most effective things you can do for your postpartum hair loss are to be patient, take care of your hair using the methods mentioned above, and dial in your nutrition and supplementation, if needed.
Although it might feel like all of your hair is falling out, rest assured that you won’t go bald and are on the right path to mitigating your hair loss.
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