Postpartum Hair-loss – What’s normal, and what you can do about it.
When you were pregnant you might have noticed that your hair grew faster and had a glossy shine to it. This is because during pregnancy your oestrogen and progesterone levels increase greatly as they are needed to nourish and grow your baby.
Straight after delivery, these two hormones drop significantly. Along with postpartum depression and weight gain, hair loss is a common occurrence due to the sudden drop in oestrogen which regulates hair growth.
Hair loss typically starts 3-months postpartum, and your hair should go back to normal pre-pregnancy condition after 1 year. So please do not worry; postpartum hair loss is completely normal and it’s only temporary.
Including a wide range of vegetables to your diet, like sweet peppers, spinach, carrots, and tomatoes may help prevent further hair loss. Add these to salads, steam or roast them; they contain high levels of antioxidants and vitamins C, E and K.
Ensure you are getting adequate protein with each meal; fish, legumes, eggs and organic cuts of meat, all contain amino acids that are the ‘building blocks’ for healthy growth and repair.
Hydration is important, especially if you are breastfeeding. Aim for around 3 litres of filtered water, especially if you exercise, sweat, or if the weather is warmer. Add a squeeze of lemon or a few mint leaves to your water, and keep a bottle close by.
Avoid over washing your hair, blow-drying, hot curling irons and hair straighteners, which may aggravate hair loss. Opt for natural shampoos, free from synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. There are some great natural shampoos on the market, avdea is one of my favourites!
Get organised and batch cook soups in advance. Use vegetables and organic bone broth as the stock. Bone broth is high in collagen and essential minerals, so is excellent for hair, nails, skin and connective tissue repair, so it can also support the healing process after birth.
Stress and post-partum depression can also affect hair loss too, so if you are worried about excessive hair loss, speak to a registered Nutritional Therapist who can rule out any underlying health conditions associated with post-partum hormone changes. Common issues for women after having a baby include low iron/ferritin levels, insulin issues, zinc/copper imbalances, hormone issues and thyroid problems. All of these things can impact on hair loss, so if you think you are suffering from any of the above, do get in touch.