After welcoming your little bundle of joy, you may have thought the worst of the physical changes were behind you. You’re probably more than aware of all the lifestyle changes you need to do in the first place, right? Well, hold onto your hairbrush because postpartum hair care is a wild ride all its own. Yes, you read that right!
One minute, you’re rocking a shiny, thick pregnancy mane, and the next, it feels like your hair is staging a mass exodus. So, does any of this sound familiar at all? Now, the postpartum hair issues are real, but don’t worry; you’re not alone. Now, with all of that said, here’s how to manage that postpartum hair and feel fabulous again.
Understanding Postpartum Hair Loss
Okay, so first, let’s clear something up: postpartum hair loss is totally normal. During pregnancy, your body pumps out extra estrogen, which prolongs the growth phase of your hair. That’s why your hair feels thick, lush, and glorious. But after the baby arrives, your hormone levels crash, and suddenly, all that extra hair falls out—sometimes in clumps. Freaky? Sure. Permanent? Absolutely not.
This shedding phase usually lasts three to six months, but everyone’s different. In the meantime, the key is to be gentle with your hair and give it some extra love.
Keep Hydrated
So, it’s no secret that new mums are constantly running on empty, and dehydration can sneak up on you faster than you think. Chances are, you’re dehydrated right now without even realising it! So, hydration isn’t just important for your energy and skin—it’s vital for your hair, too.
Lack of hydration can leave hair dry and brittle, making it more prone to breakage (and let’s be honest, no one wants that when you’re already losing strands). It’s also going to help to look into hydrating hair products too.
Gentle Styling is the Key
This is the perfect time to give your heat tools a little break. Now, you really need to keep in mind that constant blow-drying, straightening, or curling can make postpartum hair loss even worse by causing breakage. If you can, let your hair air dry, or use a microfibre towel to gently blot out excess moisture.
But you can still style your hair; just keep away from the heat or anything that pulls or strains your hair (like a high ponytail). So, no matter your hair type, there are some soft postpartum styles, and yes, there are even 1c hairstyles out there for the girlies who have that hair type, too. But overall, you need to be gentle, but that doesn’t mean you need to be boring.
Treat Your Scalp Like Royalty
The scalp is often the main focus when it comes to good hair care. Yes, you read that right! Now, with that all said, postpartum hair needs a healthy foundation to grow back strong, so showing your scalp some TLC can make all the difference. Basically, a gentle scalp massage with essential oils like rosemary or peppermint can help stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth.
Plus, who doesn’t love a relaxing mini spa moment when you’re running on three hours of sleep But one thing that really can’t be stressed enough would be the fact that you just can’t have any overly harsh shampoos on your hair because yes, those do strip away the natural oils on your scale. So by all means, use sulfate free shampoos if you can.
Snack Your Way to Healthier Hair
So, here’s some good news: snacking can actually help your hair grow back! Postpartum life often means eating whatever’s quick and easy (and the foods you couldn’t have when pregnant, like sushi), but certain nutrients can make a world of difference for your hair. Ideally, look into foods that are rich in biotin, iron, and vitamins A and C are particularly helpful in restoring hair health.
Be Kind to Yourself (and Your Hair)
Alright, this one might be generic, but so what! It’s totally true, and this needs to be recognised! So, postpartum life is a whirlwind of feeding, nappy changes, and sleepless nights. The last thing you need is to stress about your hair. Remember, this phase won’t last forever. Your hair will grow back, and it will eventually return to its pre-pregnancy state—or at least something close to it.
In the meantime, be kind to yourself and your hair. Skip the harsh treatments and give your locks a little extra love with nourishing products and gentle handling. Ideally, you should leave-in conditioner or hair mask, which can work wonders in keeping your strands soft and strong.
