Lush locks are a brilliant little pregnancy perk. Thick and plentiful hair is something most mums-to-be experience while baking a babe.
But once that bun is out of the oven, it’s often a different story. Postpartum hair loss is very common, and as this viral video shows, it’s something your hairdresser sees time and time again.
‘Grossly satisfying’ hair shedding
Utah-based hairstylist Christina Kreitel shared an Instagram video of one of her clients going through what she calls the Post-Pregnancy Shed. Christina gentle tugs at her client’s hair, pulling out clumps at a time.
“Nothing like that Post Pregnancy Shed,” she writes. “You know the time, 4 months postpartum and you FILL that drain!” Christina has actually become somewhat of a post-pregnancy shed guru, telling Yahoo Lifestyle, “It’s become a running joke among my pregnant clients that after they give birth, I’ll have to pull out their hair. The client in the video had a baby four months ago and that’s around when the hair loss starts.”
Why does postpartum hair loss happen?
In a word, hormones. During pregnancy, the levels of certain hormones in your system go beserk – hCG, estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin. Estrogen, in particular, has a lot to do with your hair – the higher level decreases those little hair losses we all have every day.
After bub arrives, many of these hormone levels drop really quickly, including estrogen. So your hair begins falling out in bigger clumps than you’re used to – basically making up for lost time. It can happen any time after your little one arrives, and peaks around the four-month mark. But it can continue for a year or more.
What can you do about after baby hair loss?
Remember that it’s normal for your hair to thin out after having a baby, and there’s really nothing you can do to stop it. But there are a couple of things you can try to make your locks appear thicker.
- Don’t brush your hair too vigorously or too often, and over-style it with heated tools.
- Keep up your post-pregnancy vitamins.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Try a volumising shampoo.
- Try and avoid colouring your hair.
If your hair loss continues for more than a year, it’s worthwhile telling your doctor or maternal health nurse.
Leaking urine is another postpartum symptom that can be embarrassing – here’s what you need to know about leaking urine after having a baby.
