Our Complete Guide to Postpartum Alopecia

With all the stresses that come with having a baby, experiencing hair loss is unsurprising – but it can knock your confidence and self-esteem. 

Postpartum alopecia, also known as post-pregnancy alopecia or postpartum hair loss, is a fairly common and normal condition for new moms. It’s a side effect of the hormone changes that come with pregnancy and delivery, and it usually goes away on its own within a year or so after you give birth.

But, there are some ways you can manage symptoms and reduce the risks of developing hair loss after pregnancy, which is where this guide comes in. Find out everything from what is postpartum alopecia to how can you manage it if it does happen to you?

What is postpartum alopecia?

Postpartum alopecia is the medical term for hair loss that occurs after pregnancy. Hair loss after pregnancy is incredibly common, with one study finding that over 90% of its participants experienced postpartum hair loss.

As well as hair loss, postpartum alopecia is often accompanied by hair shedding or hair thinning, which is most common after the first four to five months after childbirth. 

When we talk about postpartum hair loss, we’re referring to when your hair is shedding and thinning for a few months after you give birth. It can happen to anyone, but it’s most common in women who normally experience dramatic hair shedding. Postpartum alopecia is different because it causes hair to fall out significantly after the first two to five months after childbirth. 

Top Tip: As you can learn in our guide to Reducing Hair Breakage & Loss: Why Gentle Brushing Matters, hair breakage and hair loss are actually different. The former stems from breaks in the middle or ends of your hair, while the latter happens at the root.

Causes of postpartum alopecia

Postpartum alopecia is caused by changes in hormone levels during pregnancy and after delivery. While you’re pregnant, your body produces more androgen, a type of hormone that affects hair growth and shedding. Pregnant women also often have higher levels of estrogen, a hormone that helps hair grow. 

After you give birth, your estrogen levels tend to drop dramatically, which can cause the hair to thin or fall out. Of course, these hormonal changes are normal after pregnancy, but some women experience more dramatic changes than others. Plus, stress plays a role in postpartum alopecia because it can cause more hormonal changes that eventually lead to hair loss.

How common is postpartum alopecia?

As we mentioned before, hair loss after pregnancy is very common, and can happen to anyone. The good news is that most people will regain their normal hair growth once the hormone changes subside. 

Sadly, 10 to 15% of women will experience postpartum alopecia, which involves excessive hair shedding while the hair is in the growing phase. This can cause noticeable hair loss, so we would suggest checking in with your doctor as soon as possible to address this issue.

Postpartum alopecia can also cause hair thinning, which can be a problem for women who are trying to regrow thicker hair. This hair thinning tends to happen as your hormones fluctuate drastically after the birth, particularly your estrogen levels (which are their highest in the third trimester). 

Top Tip: If you have a family history of postpartum alopecia, it’s important to take extra precautions to prevent and prepare for hair loss after pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms of postpartum alopecia

Most women experience some hair loss and shedding after pregnancy – but excessive shedding is a sign that postpartum alopecia is present. There are a few ways to tell if you’re experiencing postpartum hair shedding. 

• You might notice more or larger clumps of hair in your shower, on your comb, or on your brush than usual. 

• Strands or larger clumps of hair may also show on your pillow in the morning. 

• Your hairline might be receding slightly. 

If you notice a few of these things, you should see your doctor to rule out postpartum alopecia. It’s also important to monitor your hair for signs of thinning; for example, if you’ve always had thick hair, it may become noticeably thinner after giving birth.

Treating postpartum hair loss

Regardless of whether you’re experiencing mild to severe shedding, or are losing hair from the root after pregnancy, it can be distressing to see. That’s why the proper care is so important to maintain your postpartum hair.

However, treating postpartum alopecia and hair loss after pregnancy isn’t necessarily straightforward, especially with the natural hormonal changes in the body. On the bright side, there are several steps you can take to help transition your hair back to its silky, voluminous state. If managed well, you could start to see normal hair growth as early as six to 12 months after you give birth.

• Try to maintain a healthy diet. Protein and biotin-rich foods such as eggs, seeds, and nuts are crucial for hair growth – and don’t forget your water intake, because hydration is key!

• Try regulating your stress levels where you can to reduce some of the hormone imbalances which affect the growth of your hair. This is obviously tricky with a newborn, but try to take some time to yourself each day to destress as much as possible.

• You may want to consider additional nutritional supplements. Cosmetic dermatologists recommend Vitamin B and C, iron, Biotin, and keratin supplements to support healthy hair growth.

• Look for products that are gentle on your hair. Our Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle has widespread, soft bristles to help remove tangles without tugging on your already fragile hair.   

Note: Always consult your doctor before taking any new dietary supplements, or if you have any concerns about your postpartum hair loss.

Reducing the risks of postpartum hair loss

Unfortunately, you cannot prevent postpartum alopecia completely. But, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of developing it and support your postpartum hair recovery.

• As mentioned before, you should try to eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients and get enough sleep. This can help reduce stress and support healthy hormone levels.

• You should use a soft bristle brush to gently comb your hair and encourage hair growth. We would recommend using the Tangle Teezer Fine and Fragile Brush for finer hair types, or pick our Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle to prevent excessive pulling and breakage caused by most hairbrushes.

• When possible, you should avoid chemical-based shampoos, which can sometimes cause more hair to fall out.

• Try to manage your stress levels as best you can. While you can’t completely prevent postpartum alopecia, you can reduce your risk of experiencing hair loss by reducing stress where possible.

Support your postpartum hair recovery with Tangle Teezer

Looking after your postpartum hair is a journey that takes a little extra patience, but it’s worth it. If you need some help, explore our Extra Gentle Hairbrushes (as part of our Damage & Breakage collection) for plenty of gentle products to look after your postpartum hair. 

Or, for more advice and guidance, check out the Tangle Teezer blog…

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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.