Are you experiencing shedding or hair loss after having your baby? If so, don’t overly stress yourself. There’s no need to fret or become depressed.
Many women experience postpartum hair loss within the first six months after birth.
During your pregnancy, hormones go through significant changes, and noticeable hair loss is not a rare occurrence after the baby arrives. Hair loss may seem to be an issue to you now, but it is temporary.
Typically it takes up to a year after birth for hair to return to normal. So relax, it will come back!
Today we’ll share a few tips that will tide you over until your hair returns with the body and fullness you expect.
Eat Healthy Foods & Maintain a Proper Diet
After delivering a baby, healthy eating habits should be at the forefront of your daily routine.
If you are breastfeeding, eating a balanced diet will ensure that your baby receives the nutrients needed to grow strong and healthy.
Doctors recommend that you eat fruit, vegetables, grains, and foods that contain protein every day. Foods such as yogurt, cheese, milk, beans, fish, and meat, will keep your body strong and help you recover after giving birth.
When it’s time to eat, try to fill half of your servings with fruits and vegetables. They provide your body with the fiber, vitamins, and minerals you need to ensure the baby is healthy and yourself.
Be sure to drink plenty of liquids such as milk, water, and fruit juices to give your body the fluids necessary to hydrate and prevent constipation.
Most importantly, stay away from junk foods such as potato chips, french fries, soda, donuts, cookies, and sugary treats. It’s okay to enjoy these foods once in a while, but you should not consume them regularly.
Use Vitamin Supplements to Replace Nutrients
If you’d like for hair growth to occur earlier than expected, using vitamins and supplements will help to replenish the nutrients you need to grow hair consistently.
Usually, hair loss occurs because of declining estrogen, iron, and Vitamin D levels. Each of these can contribute to the persistent thinning and loss of hair.
Supplements such as biotin can help improve the rate of hair growth and the thickness of the hair.
For breastfeeding mothers, taking prenatal vitamins after childbirth will prevent potential calcium deficiencies and anemia while providing energy and keeping you from mood swings.
While vitamin supplements will help you with your nutritional needs, they will not prevent you from going through hair loss and shedding.
Keep this in mind as you decide which vitamins to include in your regimen, and remember that while they’re good for your body, they will never cause your hair to grow back with the thickness you desire overnight.
Use the Right Shampoo & Conditioner
When considering which shampoo to use, an effective way to improve the appearance of your hair is to use a volumizing shampoo. The proteins in volumizer shampoos adhere to the hair and help them build up for a fuller, thicker-looking head of hair.
While they help give your hair a thicker and fuller appearance, they do not cause hair growth.
Try to avoid using a conditioning shampoo at all costs. Conditioning shampoos are heavy and weigh down hair strands, thus making them appear thin and unattractive.
When it comes to conditioners, they also can weigh down the hair and provide you with an appearance that is not so appealing cosmetically. Any conditioner that is too heavy or says “intensive” on the label will make your hair look worse.
Use a conditioner formulated for fine hair to ensure you’re using a lighter formula that will not weigh your hair down.
When washing your hair, be as gentle as possible and use the conditioner on the ends of your hair. Avoid using it on the top half of your hair and scalp to prevent straining your hair strands.
Avoid Excessive Styling & Heat
After pregnancy, the last thing you want to do is put your hair through excessive heat with curling irons, flat irons, or blow-dryers.
Do your best to avoid using these items and forget about perms, coloring, highlighting, and straightening sessions for at least a year after you’ve had the baby.
Instead of using elastic bands, go for barrettes or scrunchies to keep your hair healthy. Remember, the goal is to take care of your hair and not put it through any unnecessary stress, so no tight hairstyles or ponytails.
Use a wider toothed comb to detangle your hair and prevent the risk of pulling your hair out in clumps.
If you absolutely must go to the hairdresser, consider trying a shorter hairstyle to make the hair appear fuller. Fancy hairstyles should be last on your list until your hair is healthy and has regained its body.
For an experienced stylist, it will be no problem to help you find the right hairstyle for you that will help to protect your hair.
Consider Alternative Hair Regrowth Methods
Postpartum hair loss, while being very common for women after giving birth, can cause you to freak out a little bit. If you want your hair to grow back as quickly as possible, there are other options you can consider.
Low-level laser therapy for hair loss helps to stimulate hair growth and has little to no side effects. It won’t harm you or your baby, and you won’t have to be concerned with breast milk being contaminated by any chemicals since it doesn’t require you to consume anything orally.
Another popular option is minoxidil. It’s FDA-approved and primarily used in topical hair loss products or pills.
Minoxidil stimulates the blood flow and allows hair follicles to receive more oxygen. The result is higher follicle production and thicker hair.
It commonly comes in the form of a solution or foam that is easy to apply to your hair during styling or before bedtime.
With these five tips, you can rest a little easier while taking the proper steps to combat thinning hair.
If your hair doesn’t return to full strength after one full year, consult with a dermatologist and get an evaluation to ensure there isn’t a medical condition affecting your hair growth over the long term.
***Author Bio: Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness.