Hair fall after pregnancy

Help! You’ve just had a baby and now your hair is coming out in clumps! What to do? Firstly, breathe. This is a natural phenomenon called Telogen Effluvium or postpartum hair loss and it happens to about 50% of women after they give birth.

Why? The high levels of hormones in your body during pregnancy stop your hair from falling out leaving you with thick, luscious locks. After birth, your hormones go back to their pre-pregnancy levels, so all that hair you should have lost during nine months of pregnancy, just falls out at once!

 

1.Vitamins B, C, E, zinc and selenium are all nutrients you need for healthy skin, hair and nails, so don’t stop taking vitamins after you give birth. In fact, switch to a postpartum vitamin supplement which can give you the right mix of nutrients you need.

 

2.Make sure you’re eating plenty of fish with Omega-3 oils or taking an Omega 3-6-9 supplement from flax seed, as these essential fatty acids are not just great for cholesterol but also make your hair healthy and shiny.

3.You may hear from your elders or your hairdresser that you should cut your hair short after childbirth. The idea is that short hair requires fewer nutrients and may not fall out as much. There is some merit in this since long hair is more likely to tangle and form split hairs. In any case, a short hairstyle will save you the time you need to maintain long hair!

4.Comb your wet hair with a wide-toothed comb. A wide-toothed comb reduces the amount of pulling and stress you apply to your hair as you attempt to remove tangles after washing it. Excessive pulling of your hair can increase the chances of it falling out.

5.Reduce the use of heated styling tools. Heated styling tools like curling irons, hot rollers, flat irons and blow dryers dry hair out and may increase hair loss. Allow your hair to air dry and style it naturally. If you must use heated styling tools, use the coolest settings possible or give your hair a cool shot of air afterward with your hair dryer.

6.Avoid stress. Having a new baby to take care of can create more stress in your life, but try to avoid additional stressful situations or feelings. Stress can cause your hair to fall out or decrease in thickness. Avoid stress to increase your chances of retaining more of your pre-pregnancy hair.