Ask Sofia: Why Am I Losing So Much Hair?
The average person loses about 100 hairs a day, but when you are newly postpartum, you might be seeing three or four times that amount come out in your hairbrush or the shower.
The good news: This is totally normal. It happens to nearly 90 percent of postpartum women.
The other good news: It won’t last forever.
However, it can be disconcerting in the moment. Extra hair loss, or postpartum alopecia, occurs when your hormone levels (which may have encouraged thicker hair growth during pregnancy) begin to level out after giving birth and it typically lasts a couple months. For some women, it starts immediately, while it may suddenly appear several months postpartum for others.
“This is a very natural process at this time, and it is not permanent,” said Dr. David Clay. “Fortunately, there are a variety of things you can do to help manage hair loss, however, we encourage you to please talk with your doctor or dermatologist if it continues to be excessive.”
To keep your hair healthy, consider the following:
- Continue to take your prenatal vitamin or a supplement recommended by your provider to support your overall health and wellness post-partum.
- Skip the styling. You might be too busy for this anyway, but curling irons and blow dryers can be hard on hair. If you can wait a few months before you get your hair highlighted or straightened, even better. Shampoo and condition as necessary with volumizing products.
- Eat and drink well. Stay hydrated and enjoy a variety of fruits, veggies and protein to support your body during this intense time.
