Many women consider pregnancy as the blessed period for hair beauty. It’s no secret that thick, voluminous hair is a side effect of pregnancy. We won’t lie to ourselves, some of us would like to extend the 9 months just to keep their goddess hair! Many pregnant women say they have reached hair nirvana during pregnancy. Unfortunately, just like pregnancy itself, this beautiful hair is temporary.
Postpartum hair loss
It can be an unpleasant surprise when your hair starts to thin out a few weeks after your baby is born. First we find hair on the pillow and clothes, then we discover a ball of hair blocking the water drain in the shower. Does this speak to you?
This increase in hair loss after childbirth is perfectly normal. It is due to the change in hormone levels after pregnancy.
In this article we help you learn more about postpartum hair loss (hair loss after childbirth) and what you can do about it. We also present our postnatal gummies – Beauty and care, specially designed for young mothers and compatible with breastfeeding.
What causes postpartum hair loss?
When you are pregnant, the pregnancy hormones, necessary for the proper development of the baby, cause real upheaval in your body. The new hormonal balance, especially the increase in estrogen, changes the hair growth cycle. The hair stays in the growth phase for longer during pregnancy instead of going into a resting phase. Because hair doesn’t reach the end of its growth cycle as quickly, you don’t lose as much hair every day. Result : your mane will make all your friends drool with envy!
Hair growth cycles
Hair goes through several phases in its life cycle. The first phase is the growth phase, also called the anagen phase, during which the hair is actively growing. The second phase is called the catagen phase, or transition phase, where hair growth slows down and the hair follicle becomes smaller. Third and last stage in the cyclical life of the hair: the telogen phase. It corresponds to the rest period. The hair does not grow but remains attached to its follicle for about 3 months. At the end of these 3 months, the hair falls out when shampooing or brushing. A new hair then begins to grow to replace the fallen one.
The hair is usually in the anagen phase for two to four years. You can expect 85% to 90% of your hair to be in this phase at any given time. Once your hair enters the telogen phase, you can expect it to stay the same length for two to four months. After that, the hair falls out. During your normal hair growth cycle, about 100 hairs fall out naturally every day.
Hair loss after childbirth
Once you have your baby, your hormone levels return to their pre-pregnancy levels. The fall of estrogen triggers a cycle of growth, rest and hair loss. An important part of your hair immediately begins the resting phase. Several months later, the hair has completed its resting phase and begins to fall out.
Postpartum hair loss is noticeable because it is far greater than the 100 hairs a person typically loses per day. The technical name for this type of hair loss is telogen effluvium, which means excessive hair loss. The hormonal fluctuations that occur in postpartum women cause more hair than usual to enter the resting phase and fall out a few weeks later. Vous pouvez constater que vous perdez jusqu’à 300 cheveux par jour.
Is postpartum hair loss permanent?
Increased hair loss after childbirth is not a sign that you are losing your hair permanently. Don’t panic! Your hair should return to its normal growth pattern over time. By the time your baby is a year old, you can probably expect your hair to be as full as it usually is at the roots. However, the new hair that grows will be shorter than the other hair on your head.
If your hair continues to thin or doesn’t seem to be growing back, you can talk to your doctor. There may be another health problem causing the hair loss, such as anemia or a thyroid problem.
What to do about postpartum hair loss?
Once you understand that postpartum hair loss is a natural cycle of pregnancy, there are natural ways to mitigate this process and accelerate hair growth. First of all, by taking care of your diet. Food supplements exist, such as our Postnatal gummie, developed especially for the needs of women after childbirth.
Foods that strengthen hair
It is possible to prevent hair loss naturally through diet. Eggs are an excellent source of protein and biotin, an essential nutrient for hair growth. Antioxidant-rich berries and red fruits can help protect hair follicles from free radicals. Salmon and oily fish, whose omega-3s may promote hair growth, are also good examples1. Green vegetables (spinach, broccoli) rich in folic acid and iron are also beneficial in preventing hair loss. For more info on the benefits of iron during postpartum, read our article.
Which dietary supplement for hair after childbirth?
La fabrique des mamans has developed a food supplement to help your hair regain its pregnancy glow. With horsetail, a plant rich in silica, a trace element that promotes hair growth, vitamin B8 (or biotin), vitamin B3 (or niacin), brewer’s yeast and selenium, this supplement will also improve the radiance of your skin (which often suffers postpartum), and will also help improve your mood, reducing the feeling of tiredness well known to young parents. It is compatible with breastfeeding, and we recommend combining it with the breastfeeding gummie.
In addition, we have designed them in the form of gummies, delicious gummies based on fruit pectin (with a good taste of grapefruit for the Postnatal). You take 2 gummies a day, preferably outside of meals for 30 to 90 days, to get your mermaid hair back!
Which post-pregnancy hair care?
The hair you lost after giving birth will grow back over time. However, you may notice the appearance of hair that is shorter than the rest of your hair. These are the new strands that grow, and they are part of the normal process of hair growth after childbirth. You may not like the way your hair looks during the shedding and regrowth phase. In this case, you can use products or styling techniques to improve the appearance of your hair. Try lightweight conditioners to avoid weighing your hair down and making it look limp. Les produits volumisants peuvent rendre vos cheveux plus volumineux. A new cut or color can also improve the appearance of your hair. Your hairdresser can suggest styling tips that will also help you.
- Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women.
