Natural remedies to combat postpartum hair loss.

Postpartum hair loss got you down? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Being a new mom is tough enough. Sleepless nights, sore breasts, a baby that won’t stop crying, and a new body you’re still getting used to. It doesn’t seem fair that women have to cope with hair loss after pregnancy, or telogen effluvium and telogen gravidarum, as well. The bad news is yes, it sucks. The good news is your hair will grow back. In the meantime, there are plenty of natural treatments and solutions to help ease the journey. If your hair is falling out faster than fall leaves from a tree and you’re worried about toxic hair loss treatments polluting your breastmilk, don’t fret help is on the way.

What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?

While your little bundle of love is in utero, your body’s hormones go into overdrive sending estrogen and progesterone levels into the stratosphere. Hair becomes thicker and even shinier, giving many women locks that could rival those in a shampoo commercial. Postpartum, your hormone levels quickly start to even out causing hair to switch from the growth (anagen) phase to the telogen (resting) phase when hair falls and out a new growth cycle starts. Breastfeeding can contribute to hair loss as well as it increase the hormone prolactin which is associated with hair loss.

The result for some women can be anything from discovering extra strands in the shower drain to massive clumps falling out. But thankfully postpartum hair loss is not permanent. The majority of women will find their hair cycle returning to normal within a year of baby’s birth. So don’t let your emotions get the best of you! Many women often resort to a drastic cut in the hopes of improving the situation. However cutting your hair while your emotions are running high isn’t always wise. Here are five things you can do about it.

What Can You Do About It?

1. Scalp Massage

Scalp massages increase blood circulation to your scalp which brings more nutrients to your hair roots. It also loosens any trapped oils and dead skin cells in and around the follicles, allowing hair to grow more freely. Hair grows thicker, longer, and more quickly.

2. Eat More Protein

Protein is essential for hair growth. If you don’t get enough protein, your body will start to allot protein to other body functions, causing potentially reduced hair growth. Hair becomes brittle and dry before signs of hair loss start appearing. The USDA recommends 0.36 grams for every pound of body weight, which is 46 grams for the average sedentary woman.

3. Take Your Vitamins

Vitamin supplements are essential to nourish your hair follicles and cells. Hair loves iron, zinc, and biotin. Taking your vitamins daily will result in healthy, shiny, thick hair. Vitamin deficiencies can result in weak, brittle hair, and a shorter growing cycle. Many of these vitamins are already in your prenatal/postnatal multivitamin. Speak to your doctor about the right combination.  

4. Wear gentler hair styles

When hair is tightly pulled back in a ponytail, bun or other styles, your hair follicles can loosen and pull hair out of the scalp. Over longer periods, the constant tension can lead to gradual hair loss otherwise known as traction alopecia. Try a looser ponytail and limiting the amount of time your hair spends up. Goody’s makes a line ofouchless hair ties which can help keep hair off your face without too tight of a pull on your follicles.

5. Switch to Natural Products for Hair Loss

Biotopic shampoo andconditioner can help get you to the thicker pre-baby locks you’re used to quickly and effectively. Carefully formulated with caffeine, biotin, keratin, and vitamin c, Biotopic shampoo and conditioner helps to stimulate hair follicles, prevent further hair loss, and protect hair from damaging free radicals. All of our products are non-toxic and drug-free making Biotopic shampoo and conditioner ideal for breastfeeding moms. Read more abouthow to combat thinning hair naturally here.