Pregnancy is an intense time for the body. With the significant hormone changes you experience, there are loads of ways you’ll notice your body changing - up to and including your hair. Hair loss during pregnancy is not uncommon, particularly with the drop in estrogen right after childbirth.
But, whilst all of this is totally normal and nothing to be afraid or ashamed of, we understand that severe hair loss can impact the self-esteem of new moms or moms-to-be. That's why we've put together this guide on what causes hair loss during and after pregnancy and ways to manage it.
Pregnancy and your hair
For many moms, that gorgeous pregnancy glow is coupled with nine months of thick, shiny hair. However, if you are experiencing thinner hair or even pregnancy hair loss, know you are not alone! This is totally normal, and may happen for a number of reasons.
Reasons for hair loss during pregnancy
To understand how to prevent hair loss during pregnancy, we first have to get to the root of the problem.
There are actually a number of reasons why your hair may thin and fall out while you're pregnant. Some of the most common causes are:
Nutritional deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies are no joke - and are quite common during pregnancy as your body gets used to supplying not only you, but the growing baby, with the nutrition you both need to thrive and grow.
For example, protein is essential for healthy hair growth. Your hair is made from a protein called keratin, and a lack of protein may impact pregnancy hair loss.
According to a U.S. study (recently updated in 2024), which assessed the dietary patterns and diet quality of pregnant women, there are several nutrient deficiencies to be aware of. The study found that pregnant women often do not meet the recommended intakes for vitamins D, C, A, B6, K, and E, as well as minerals like folate, choline, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc – even with the use of dietary supplements. Additionally, many pregnant women were at risk of excessive consumption of sodium, folic acid, and iron.
These common deficiencies affect all areas of your body, including your hair. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss during pregnancy, as your hair becomes more brittle, prone to snapping, or more likely to detach from the follicle.
Hormonal fluctuations
With the hormonal changes involved up to and after childbirth, pregnancy can throw your body off balance. This is why hormonal changes are one of the biggest contributors to hair loss during pregnancy (and after).
In some cases, the fluctuating hormones that come with growing and carrying a baby can cause hair thinning and shedding, often due to a condition known as Telogen Effluvium (TE). This is characterized by excessive hair loss, where more of your hair moves into the “telogen”, or shedding, phase of hair growth.
Top Tip: Learn more about the causes of thinning hair and hair loss in our article on Thinning Hair: Causes, Treatments, and Hairstyles…
Stress
The human body is incredible, and the ability to grow a whole other human being is amazing. But, it’s also important to remember that growing a baby can put a lot of stress on your body. Between hormonal and physical changes, pregnancy is one of the most stressful experiences you may have.
Unfortunately, high stress levels can cause you to produce more cortisol, which can also affect your hair’s growth and contribute to hair loss during pregnancy.
How to prevent hair loss during pregnancy
If you’re worried about hair loss during pregnancy and want to prevent it, there are a few things you can do.
Focus on your diet
One of the most important things you can do is to focus on your diet. This will not only help support hair health, but your overall health – and the health of your baby. Eating a balanced diet rich in protein is essential for healthy hair growth and can help prevent pregnancy hair loss.
There are lots of healthy proteins out there like lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and lentils; but, if you are confused or concerned about what to eat during pregnancy, speak with your general practitioner or nutritionist. Additionally, supplements can play a crucial role in supporting the maintenance of normal hair growth by providing essential vitamins your body needs to grow and maintain healthy hair.
Pregnancy hair care
In terms of caring for and styling your hair, one of the best products that we would recommend for thinning hair, and to prevent hair loss during pregnancy, is one of our Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle Hairbrushes.
Specifically designed to detangle wet or dry hair gently to prevent hair loss, these brushes are particularly beneficial for managing pregnancy hair (and hair loss). As many women experience thicker hair during pregnancy, but face hair loss after pregnancy due to hormonal changes, our recommended products can help maintain hair health during and after pregnancy.
Reduce stress (where possible)
Another thing you can do to prevent hair loss during pregnancy is to limit your levels of stress. Obviously, this is easier said than done, but limiting stress where possible will do wonders for your physical, mental, and emotional health during pregnancy.
Since stress can cause hair loss, it's important to try and keep it at bay. You can do this by taking regular breaks from your everyday activities, getting enough sleep, and doing light exercise. You could also treat yourself to one of our Scalp Massagers. Not only does it remove buildup on your scalp while stimulating hair growth, but it will also give you a little bit of that calming TLC you definitely deserve!
What about hair loss after pregnancy?
Post-pregnancy hair loss, or postpartum telogen effluvium, is a condition that causes significant hair loss, usually within the first three months after giving birth. It’s very common, and thought to be caused by hormonal changes and stress after giving birth.
From the hormonal side of things, estrogen levels increase steadily during pregnancy – and reach their peak in the third trimester. After you give birth, the estrogen levels plummet quite rapidly, and as estrogen is connected to hair growth and loss, this is why you might find some scary-looking clumps of hair on the ground or in the shower. Plus, childbirth is a stressful experience, so your body needs time to recover.
So, many women experience losing hair shortly after giving birth (around 1 in 5), which can be concerning, But, this is typically temporary and manageable, and usually resolves itself postpartum. However, post-pregnancy hair loss can be distressing – especially if it’s extreme. And, for some people, it can even affect the eyebrows and eyelashes.
The good news is that postpartum hair loss is not permanent. The shedding will usually begin to slow down after the first four months, and by the time you are celebrating your little one’s first birthday, your hair should be starting to grow back again.
Preventing post-pregnancy hair loss
Although there’s no guaranteed way of preventing postpartum hair loss, there are some things you can do to help ease the condition.
Just like nurturing your hair health during pregnancy, it’s important to try to keep your stress levels low (which is easier said than done with a newborn) and eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and vitamin B.
Top Tip: If you’re struggling with post-pregnancy hair loss, speak with your doctor about ways you can ease the condition and make sure you get the treatment you need.
You can also adapt the way you care for your hair to help minimise the appearance of thinning, and reduce the risk of hair loss. For example:
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A volumizing shampoo enriched with protein can help to create a thick, full hairstyle and nurture your hair as it grows back.
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Try to avoid shampoos that are labeled as “conditioning,” as they tend to make your hair greasier and heavier.
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If you’re searching for new hair products, such as serums or hair masks, always gravitate towards those made for fine and fragile hair, as they’ll be more delicate.
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Try new hair partings and hairstyles to minimize the appearance of balding spots or receding hairlines.
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Try an award-winning hairbrush designed for thinning hair (like our Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle) to help carefully brush and manage your hair.
We would recommend booking an appointment with your local hairdresser for more tips and tricks to minimize the appearance of hair thinning or hair loss.
Pregnancy hair loss: The bottom line
Hair loss during or after pregnancy is common – but it can be quite hard to deal with when navigating the emotional roller coaster of motherhood. If you’re worried about pregnancy hair loss, there are things you can do to ease the condition, including using the right products, eating a balanced diet, and keeping your stress levels low.
Discover products to handle Hair Thinning with help from us, and don’t forget to check out the Tangle Teezer blog for more advice, articles, and helpful information…
Want to read more? We think you’ll love… Easy Back to School Hairstyles | How to Use Hair Oil
Disclaimer: this guide should not be considered as a substitute for medical information. For personalized hair care and medical advice, consult your doctor or dermatologist.
