Losing Hair AFTER Your Pregnancy

Post pregnancy hair loss is a very common occurrence. A woman who has recently given birth to a child is expected to undergo a phase of hair loss, but there is no reason to fret, as it is a completely normal process. The sea of hormonal changes that occur in a female body during and after a pregnancy causes this loss of hair. However, the intensity of hair loss would differ from one woman to the other, ranging from minimal hair loss to very noticeable ones.
The process of hair growth can be distinctly identified into two different phases. The first one is the “Anagen”. The “Anagen” phase usually lasts for four to seven years during which the hair experiences a growth of about one to two centimeters every month. The other phase, which is known as the “Telogen”, lasts for around three to four months. This is when the hair follicles rest. This is also the period where the growth of new hair causes the older ones to fall out.

A high level of estrogen is produced and experienced by women during pregnancy as result of natural chemical reactions. This ensures the proper growth and good health of not only the baby, but also strengthen and protect the mother. This higher concentration of estrogen leads the hair follicles to generate more hair while retaining to the old ones. The metabolism rate of the body takes place much faster, which results in improved flow of nutrients to the tummy and the scalp.

As mentioned, most women will experience increased hair growth during pregnancy but lose the extra growth later on. This is a consequence of the decrease in the level of production of hormones. The body witnesses a readjustment of hormone levels and the hair loss occurs as a result of the body’s attempt to rebalance itself.

Some tips for post-pregnancy care of hair are:

• Consult a doctor to ensure that you experience proper balance of hormones.
• Avoid hairstyling creams and equipments, which stresses and pulls your hair.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, the fibers and antioxidants in them will shield and encourage the hair follicles and sustain hair growth.
• Stay clear of shampoos and conditioners that have a high content of chemicals. Opt for the herbal and natural ones.
• Stress and distress have adverse effects as it tends to affect the hormones harshly and consequently your hair.
• Hair tends to be fragile when wet, so gentleness is required when combing wet hair.