How to Deal With Postpartum Hair Loss: An Overview

What Triggers Hair Fall After Delivery?

Hormonal imbalance is the main cause of post-delivery hair loss in women. The hormone oestrogen plays an important role in hair growth. During pregnancy, oestrogen levels are high in your body, thereby limiting your hair fall, but after delivery, the oestrogen levels start to fall. This causes more hair fall after delivery leading to a lot of stress for new mothers.

However, your hair will get back to its usual healthy self by the time your baby is between 6 and 12 months old. Also, it is worth mentioning that it is quite normal to shed up to 100 hair strands per day; this cannot be considered hair loss.

Tips to Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss

If you worrying about losing hair after pregnancy, here are some tips to deal with this issue effectively —

• Consume lots of nutrients

When you are deficient in certain nutrients, it can lead to hair fall after delivery or during your pregnancy. Deficiency of certain nutrients like vitamin D, iron, calcium, protein, and zinc can trigger post-delivery hair loss. Always ensure you consume natural foods rich in these nutrients to reduce hair loss and keep supplements at bay. A few examples of foods to include in your regular diet are eggs, milk, green vegetables, curd, whole grains and nuts, cereals, and soy.

• Curd hair mask

Apart from being rich in probiotics, curd is also an excellent conditioner. It can help to restore the shine and health in your hair, thereby limiting hair loss after delivery. Apply generous quantities of curd on your scalp, and let the mask remain for about 30 minutes. Wash off with a gentle shampoo to regain the shine and softness of your hair.

• Gooseberry treatment

Known commonly as Amla in India, gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. They strengthen the hair follicles by keeping the roots healthy. Amla also helps retain your hair's colour, shine, and volume. In a pan, heat some coconut oil (almond or olive oil can be used too). Add some gooseberries along with the oil. Wait till the gooseberries turn black. Strain the oil, and use it for massaging your hair for about 20 minutes. Wash off with a gentle shampoo.

• Egg Whites Mask

Since it is rich in proteins, egg whites are an effective treatment for hair loss after the birth of your child. Mix the whites of 1 egg, 2 spoons of olive oil, and 1 spoon of honey to make a thick paste. Apply this hair mask and let it remain for about 20 minutes. Wash off with a gentle shampoo to see a visible improvement in the growth, colour, shine, and strength of your hair.

• Fenugreek hair mask

Fenugreek seeds have been used in Ayurveda for thousands of years to treat hair loss. Soak ½ a cup of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Strain the seeds and blend into a paste-like consistency. Apply this paste and let it remain in your hair for 30 minutes. Wash off gently using the water you had soaked the seeds to see a great improvement in your hair loss.

• Bhringraj Leaves Mask

Blend a few leaves of Bhringraj to make a thick paste. Apply it to your hair and wash it off using lukewarm water to reduce hair fall after delivery.

• Aloe Vera Mask

Extract a cup of gel from aloe vera leaves and apply it to your hair. Let the aloe vera gel mask remain on your hair for about 30 minutes. Wash off using a gentle shampoo. Aloe vera is extremely effective for your hair, as it increases blood circulation in your scalp, encourages hair growth, keeps the scalp itch-free, and provides enough moisture to your scalp.

• Coconut milk mask

Extract the milk from about ½ a coconut. Apply the coconut milk all over your scalp and leave it on for about 20 minutes before washing off with a gentle shampoo. Coconut milk softens and moisturises your hair very well.

Other Tips to Control Hair Fall After Pregnancy

• Regular oil massages (coconut, olive, almond, etc.) once a week at least

• Including flax seeds and dry fruits (cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc.) in your regular diet

• Using volume-increasing shampoo and an appropriate conditioner

• Avoiding frequent hair treatment and styling options (like exposure to heat, using straighteners, etc.)

• Reducing all instances of hair detangling (like using narrow combs, drying when the hair is wet, etc.)

• Trying hairstyles that make your hair look fuller and healthier