Navigating Postpartum Hair Loss Naturally
Experiencing postpartum hair loss can be a disheartening reality for many new mothers.
Understanding why it happens, avoiding common misconceptions, and adopting supportive measures can make a significant difference in your hair renewal journey. Here's what you need to know:
Why Does Postpartum Hair Loss Occur?
Postpartum hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium, is a common condition that affects many women after giving birth. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels prolong the growth phase of hair, resulting in thicker and fuller locks. However, once hormone levels return to a more normal level, hair follicles transition into the shedding phase, causing increased hair loss. This is commonly around 4 months after your baby is born or after birth
What are some Common Misconceptions?
Many mothers opt to wait out postpartum hair loss, resigning themselves to the belief that nothing can be done. This passive approach often leads to frustration and self-consciousness as hair continues to thin and these tufts of hair remain the object of confidence. However, there are proactive steps you can take to support your hair health and renewal process.
Supporting Your Hair growth with nutrition and lifestyle:
Prioritise a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, Biotin, and Omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporate foods like salmon, eggs, avocados, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens into your meals to nourish your hair from within.
Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of filtered water daily to support overall hair health and hydration.
Practice stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to minimise stress-related hair loss. Wall Pilates is great one to build up strength too.
Consider taking supplements to support your body. I’m not saying specifically a formulated to support hair, skin, and nail because there’s often can be other factors happening like thyroid dysfunction, copper dump, and iron levels and a lot those retail targeted supplements are not looking at what else is happening during the postpartum period. You should still be taking a good quality natal supplement too if you are breastfeeding or even want to support your body
What about Hair Products?
While some hair products marketed to new mothers may promise miraculous results, they often contain harsh chemicals and additives that can exacerbate hair loss or damage and may even cause irritation. You should be wary of brands that prioritise short-term results over long-term hair health. Ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances commonly found in conventional hair care products can also strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness, breakage, and further hair loss and doing nothing or not washing it is not the answer
Supporting Your Hair Naturally: Gentle and Nourishing Alternatives
Opt for natural and lowtox hair care brands that prioritise gentle, nourishing ingredients to support hair health. The two Australian brands that i’ve used when i’ve run out of Sukin (makes my hair frizzy), and MooGoo (I have to wash my hair lots and use more product), which offer sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free hair care options that are suitable for sensitive scalps and postpartum hair loss. I recommend the intense repair range which you can purchase by clicking here.
Don't let postpartum hair loss dictate your confidence and self-esteem, click here to chat more about nurturing your hair naturally and reclaiming your confidence and personalised advice and guidance on managing postpartum hair loss and pathology, book in a consultation today.