HAIR LOSS AFTER PREGNANCY - WHAT’S HAPPENED TO MY LUSCIOUS LOCKS?!

Oh, the joys of Motherhood. One day your mane is thick and luscious, the next it’s thinning quicker than you can say 'Wayne Rooney’. No lady, you’re not imagining it; hair loss after pregnancy is a thing. As if you didn’t have enough to deal with in those tumultuous first few weeks.

Hair guru Philip Kingsley, explains: “Not every woman experiences postpartum hair loss but, if it does happen, remember it’s a very normal and natural process.”

For those affected, the onset of hair loss after pregnancy tends to start around three months post birth. It can be worrying to see clumps come out, or you might just notice excess hair during brushing. The good news is that this shouldn’t last longer than six to 12 months postpartum.

So, why does this happen?

Glad you asked. During pregnancy, our bodies undergo various changes. Hormones, which let’s be honest are to blame for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, result in higher oestrogen levels in our body.

This means that the growth phase for hair is longer than usual and is also less likely to fall out during this time. It’s the reason why many of us feel like we’ve just stepped out of a salon during pregnancy. The downside is that by time our bodies return to normal, the surplus hair tends to come out, resulting in hair loss after pregnancy. Yep, it’s a bit like a group of friends gate-crashing your party and making a mass exodus at the same time.

Not all is lost (so to speak 😉)

If you’re one of the many women going through post-pregnancy-shedding, there’s a few things you can do to help your body get through it.

Get your A to C 🍉🥑🍋

Vitamins are essential after pregnancy when you’re recovery from birth. This is best acquired from a well-balanced diet, but there’s also plenty of great supplements on the market too. There’s even vitamins for hair loss after pregnancy, look out for those containing Vitamin A, B, C and E along with zinc – all known to support hair growth.

Work those fingers ✋✌

It’s time to get the oil out, and not in a romantic way! Massage can help invigorate the scalp and boost its flow. From castor oil to coconut oil, there’s plenty of natural options for this delicate part of your body.

Hair care 💇‍♀️

It’s a given, but opt for natural, organic and kinder treatments on your hair during the first few months post-pregnancy.

Eat well 🥗🥙🥕

In those early weeks and months postpartum, it’s important to be kind to yourself, and this includes making sure you’re eating well. Mother always said to eat your fruit and veg and she was right (don’t you just hate it when that happens).

Iron rich foods like leafy greens, meat and poultry, nuts and seeds should be top of the list. Also try and aim for a diet rich in; eggs, fatty fish, berries and avocado – these are particularly beneficial for hair loss after pregnancy

So, there you have it. Hair loss is nothing to be ashamed or worried about, it’s perfectly natural and with some fine-tuning, you can expect to look like Cheryl whatever her surname is these days. Well, almost!

Here are some of our favourite products to help you on your post baby hair journey 🤩

https://bysarahlondon.com/collections/all/products/organic-hair-oil

https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/irritated-scalp-shampoo-200ml?___store=uk&nosto=nosto-page-category1

https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/shop/by-product/organic-hair-care/clarifying-vitamin-conditioner-200ml

https://www.lovelula.com/products/weleda-revitalising-hair-tonic-100ml