Post Pregnancy Hair Loss

Post Pregnancy Hair Loss: Question Whether Is It Normal and What Can Be Done to Counteract It

Even during pregnancy, woman still want to look pretty; and this is somewhat challenging effort to make it real. During pregnancy, there are several physiological changes which can occur in woman’s body, affecting how they appear physically.

These changes can also affect the physiological system of the mother; and the changes might persist even after delivery. Some might not be desired one since these can affect the appearance of the mother negatively. One of the problem that is common to be encountered by a new mother post-pregnancy is the hair loss.

Post Pregnancy Hair Loss: the facts

In normal physiological state, hair goes certain cycles of regeneration. Hair normally goes through a growth phase, transitional phase, and release phase (where the hair falls off). About 90% of human’s hairs keeps on growing while 10% of them stay in resting state; ready to be shed off the scalp.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that there are 50 – 100 of hair strands lost from human body each day. This process goes on and on to regenerate new hair strands. However, during pregnancy the usual cycle of this process is disturbed. As the consequences of pregnancy, hormone estrogen will be produced in higher amount than usual. This hormone can slow down the process of shedding of old hair strands thoroughout pregnancy.

Post Pregnancy Hair Loss: the numbers

At the same time, actually one can find that there is an increase in volume and thickness of the hair during pregnancy by the effect of this hormone. While this might be a good news for pregnant women, post pregnancy hair loss may be not so good.  After delivery level of estrogen enzyme gradually decreases. The decreasing amount of this enzyme will alter the hair loss cycle back to normal.

As a consequence, the hairs which have their shedding-off period being delayed, will fall off at the same time. This unfavorable condition is often referred as post pregnancy hair loss.

 Post Pregnancy Hair Loss: conclusions

While post pregnancy hair loss can be an unwanted event, most of the time it is unavoidable when a woman go through pregnancy. However, the occurence and severity of the post pregnancy hair loss phenomenon can be reducedd by avoiding putting stress on hair (such as making pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids, and using tight hair rollers). Hair nutrition should also being considered.

Try using shampoos and conditioners which contain silica and biotin. The mother’s body should also being nourished with proper nutrition such as vitamins and minerals which can be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Important vitamins and minerals to be consumed to prevent post pregnancy hair loss include vitamin B complex, biotin, inositol, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, and zinc.