What to Know About Postpartum Hair Loss

Although all hair loss may be distressing, not all types of hair loss are the same. Sometimes, hair loss is temporary — though that doesn’t mean it’s enjoyable. 

At NeoGraft Hair Restoration in Westport, Connecticut, Dr. Dana Brownell and her outstanding staff specialize in hair loss for women, regardless of the cause, and we offer hair restoration services when needed. We enjoy helping our patients feel better about how they look! 

Sometimes, though, hair loss doesn’t require a restoration solution, and that’s often the case with temporary postpartum hair loss. 

Stages of hair growth

At any given moment, most of your hair is in the growth stage, called the anagen stage. It’s actively growing. On your scalp, this stage can last anywhere from two to six years. 

A shorter phase, the catagen phase, is a transition phase. The follicle the hair grows from actually shrinks during the catagen phase

The telogen phase is sometimes called the resting phase. During this phase, your hair isn’t actively growing, and at the end of it (about three months), the old hair falls out of the follicle before new growth starts. Another name for postpartum hair loss is telogen effluvium. 

Pregnancy and hair growth, hair loss, and hormonal equilibrium

During pregnancy, your hair may seem thicker and fuller than at other times. The hormones your body produces during pregnancy help the hairs in anagen phase to grow, giving you beautiful, thicker hair. 

When the pregnancy hormones stop, however, many of the hairs in the anagen phase suddenly enter the telogen phase. A few weeks after giving birth, you may begin finding more hair than usual in the tub drain, on your pillow, or in your brush.

Within a few months, usually within a year of giving birth, your hormones reach equilibrium again, and your hair returns to its usual three-stage growth pattern. Postpartum hair loss may be frustrating, but it’s temporary. 

In the meantime, you can try using a conditioner formulated for fine hair to avoid weighing your hair down. You may also want to talk to your hair stylist about a different cut or style that gives an impression of thicker or fuller hair. 

You may also want to pay special attention to your diet during the postpartum months. A well-balanced diet may help your hair return to the anagen phase more quickly. 

What if it doesn’t grow back? 

If your hair doesn’t return to its normal thickness after a year, schedule an appointment at NeoGraft Hair Restoration. Dr. Brownell is happy to provide a consultation and determine whether cutting-edge NeoGraft transplantation would be a good solution for you.