You may have noticed that while you were pregnant, your hair felt much thicker and even lustrous. It’s not your imagination, it’s a sweet little pregnancy gift in the form of natural hormone spikes. Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, oxytocin, hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone), hPL (Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone), along with a rise in your blood volume cause many changes, some that we notice, and others that we do not. Not to fear, they are all are a part of a healthy pregnancy.
While we’re used to seeing some hair in the shower drain and caught in our combs and brushes, during pregnancy the natural increase of estrogen and a higher blood volume causes less of our natural daily hair loss.
After pregnancy, the hormones which were hard at work, are now getting back to pre-pregnancy levels and natural hair loss returns. Yes, after so many months of thicker, fuller hair, it can feel like a dramatic change to be losing hair, but it’s absolutely natural!
The body tends to shed more hair postpartum to make up for months of little hair loss, but things will balance out over the next four to twelve months as the body gets back to its normal levels.
Here are few simple things you can do to try to help your body and hair from the inside out during this time:
From the Inside
- Make healthy food choices that include lots of water and green vegetables.
- Take daily vitamins to supplement your diet and restore your vitamins and minerals, especially iron, magnesium, vitamins C, D and omega-3s.
- Daily exercise will keep healthy food choices on track and make you feel better overall.
From the Outside
- Your hair is a bit fragile right now, so be gentle when brushing or combing.
- Try to avoid harsh treatments and excessive heat to prevent over drying and damage to the roots to ends.
- Give volumizing hair products a try, such as the Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and Conditioner. Products fortified with Keranique’s Keratin Amino Complex build stronger hair, creating a thicker and more voluminous appearance.
- While breastfeeding, avoid products that contain minoxidil, the FDA-approved active ingredient in many hair regrowth products including the Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment. If you choose to breastfeed, be sure to talk to your doctor about any treatments, home remedies or medications you intend to use to be certain they are safe.
There are so many changes going on postpartum that it almost seems cruel to take away the beautiful, thick lustrous hair you’ve gotten used to. With everything that’s on your plate right now, don’t stress about this—it’s a completely normal phenomenon that all moms experience.
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