Your Guide to Postpartum Hair Loss

You might notice some excessive shedding soon after giving birth, and that’s totally normal. Here’s what new parents need to know about postpartum hair loss. 

Postpartum hair loss can be a normal part of having a baby. During pregnancy, you might have been blessed with a thick and lustrous mane of hair. After having the baby, however, your locks may start shedding excessively. This normal symptom is a result of hormonal changes in the body after giving birth. So how long does postpartum hair loss last, and can you prevent it from happening? Keep reading to learn more.

What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum hair loss is not considered true hair loss because you're really just shedding extra hair that you gained (and kept) during pregnancy. Everyone sheds, says dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, but pregnancy changes things up. "There are lots of hormonal shifts happening, and one thing that those hormonal shifts do is promote hair growth," Dr. Shah explains. In other words, pregnancy hormones actually prevent you from normal day-to-day shedding.

Once your hormones return to normal after pregnancy, there's a drop in estrogen, which causes hair shedding to resume. But keep in mind: You stopped shedding for several months during pregnancy, so the hair that's been sticking to your head needs to come out, explains Dr. Shah. This phenomenon is called telogen effluvium.

For Black pregnant people, the pregnancy hormones can also mean a change in hair texture during and post-pregnancy. As Parents previously reported, some pregnant people who previously had 4a hair reported that their hair changed to 3b, with looser curls; others experienced changes in how their curls retained moisture. This can mean that during pregnancy and the postpartum period, while navigating other parts of their bodies changing, they might also need to totally reconsider their haircare routines.

Close-Up Of Woman With Hair Loss Problem
Pongsak Tawansaeng/EyeEm/Getty Images

When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?

"Generally with telogen effluvium, there's some sort of event—in this situation it's giving birth, but there can be other causes. Basically, a larger amount of your hair than normal is triggered to enter this resting/shedding phase," says Dr. Shah. It takes about three months for that hair to shed out, she adds, which is why most people notice postpartum hair loss around three months after delivery.

As doctorate-prepared board-certified nurse midwife Dr. Chanelle Nsangou Njoya previously told Parents in a story about Black pregnant people's hair, the birthing process itself can be traumatic and trigger the start of hair loss paired with the rapid reduction in estrogen.

“Some Black [pregnant people] will experience postpartum hair loss when the hair follicles have completed their 'resting' phase and start to shed," Dr. Njoya says. “Because the hair follicles have been stagnant in the growing phase, it will appear that there is extreme hair loss because it's much more than the standard 100 hairs a person expectedly loses per day," she adds. A commentary on Black-centered care also noted the importance of acknowledging the specific changes that can happen with Black postpartum individuals.

Hair might fall out all around your head, or clumps may come loose when you brush it or shower. Some postpartum people simply lose some strands around their hairline, so their hair looks very fine in the front as if they're balding, says Stephanie Scuoppo, a hairstylist at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa in New York City.

How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), most of the time, hair will start to grow back after three to six months postpartum. While there are exceptions, Dr. Shah reassures that most of the time, hair loss will spontaneously normalize. "The time to recovery varies. In some people it's three months, in some people it's six months. Occasionally it can last a year," Dr. Shah says.

Postpartum hair loss is a temporary phase, and it's unlikely that your hair will go from extra-thick to barely there. Don't fret if your hair starts feeling extra thin. That said, everyone's hormonal shift will manifest differently. "It's a very natural process," Dr. Shah says.

How to Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss

Can you stop postpartum hair loss? Probably not, but you might be able to control it. According to Dr. Shah, good nutrition is essential after giving birth, and it can help keep your hair strong, healthy, and intact (at least to some degree). Don't skimp on your protein and iron intake!

That said, if the shedding seems out of the ordinary, you may want to check with a doctor. They may test you for thyroid disorders or other health issues.

Dealing With Postpartum Hair Loss

Are you desperate for a postpartum hair loss treatment? Here's how to keep your mane looking its best during this strange transition.

Get an expert opinion

First and foremost, visit a stylist for professional advice, says Scuoppo. You can find someone who has experience with your hair texture (either pre- or postpartum) and walk them through the changes you experienced. They may recommend a different hairstyle that incorporates those fine hairs in the front or covers spots where you might be experiencing shedding or warn you of styles that won't help your hair recover well.

If you previously had long hair, or a layered cut with pieces that came down to the chin in the front, you may need to shorten it into long bangs that frame the face. You also may be advised to hold off on certain styles that might put more pressure on your hair (e.g., avoiding tight braids during the more intense period of shedding.)

Celebrity stylist Oribe (whose clients include Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow) agrees that it's a good idea to go shorter in the front. Sexy, short-in-the-middle, longer-at-the-sides bangs would look amazing, says Oribe. In some cases, layering your hair all over will also give you more fullness.

Coloring your hair can also give it body, says Scuoppo. If you feel that your hairline is receding and you have dark hair, highlighting the front can act as camouflage. Or try glossing, a treatment that gives hair an all-over shine.

Keep hair moussed and moist

Oribe also says that using the right products can give the illusion of fullness. Look for a volumizing mousse at the drugstore or salon. Always use a conditioner or a leave-in hair moisturizer after shampooing.

Drinking water and prioritizing your vitamins in your diet is another great tool for taking care of your tresses and keeping your hair texture from becoming too dry, according to Dr. Njoya.  

“A balanced and nutritious diet should include plenty of vitamins, minerals, and protein like iron, fatty acids, and vitamin D,” Dr. Njoya says. “Iron and vitamin D deficiencies are more common in Black women. Iron deficiency is a well-known cause of hair loss and vitamin D contributes to hair follicle cycling.”

Change your part

If you normally part your hair in the middle, try a side part to disguise thinning hair at the temples.

Add texture

Sleek, straight hairstyles make thinning hair more obvious. If you usually blow out your curly or wavy hair, consider going with your natural curl. If you have straight hair, try using Velcro rollers or a curling iron to give your locks some oomph, says Scuoppo.

Wear those hair accessories

Headbands, scarves, bandanas, and even wigs are fun and stylish ways to disguise postpartum hair loss—and they can take the pressure off your wallet if a pricey salon visit isn't in the cards right now. They're especially popular with new parents who have little time to devote to hair care.

Updated by Zara Hanawalt
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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Gizlenti S, Ekmekci TR. The changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post-partum period. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014. 

  2. Hair loss in new moms. American Academy of Dermatology. 2023.

  3. Investigating the prevalence of postpartum hair loss and its associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study. Iran Journal of Dermatology. 2021.

  4. Destigmatizing and Democratizing Postpartum Care: A "Black Woman-Person First" Approach. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2022.

  5. Skin Conditions During Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021. 

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