Postpartum Hair Loss: What It Is, Causes, and Treatment
Key takeaways:
Postpartum hair loss is a form of hair shedding in people after pregnancy. It begins a few months after delivery and peaks around 4 months after giving birth.
Postpartum hair shedding occurs because of shifting hormones during pregnancy and after.
Postpartum hair loss doesn’t require any specific treatment. Good nutrition and hair care will support the hair while it returns to its usual growth pattern.
Table of contents
If you’ve noticed thinning hair after giving birth, you’re not alone. In fact 50% of people who had delivered a baby experienced postpartum hair loss. Here’s a closer look at why this happens and what you can do to preserve your mane after having a baby.
What is postpartum hair loss and when does it start?
Postpartum hair loss refers to the temporary hair shedding commonly seen after a person gives birth. It’s one of the last postpartum experiences to develop — usually starting 1 to 2 months after delivery.
When does postpartum hair loss peak?
The amount of hair loss typically peaks about 4 months after delivery, with hair loss reaching up to 200 hairs a day. Most people find their regular hair growth pattern returns to baseline within a year of childbirth.
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What is considered excessive hair shedding after pregnancy?
Excessive hair shedding with bald patches or more than 200 hairs shed per day isn’t typical of postpartum hair loss. If that’s your experience, then it’s possible that an underlying medical condition could be causing it. Make an appointment to see your primary care provider. They can help figure out why it’s happening.
What causes postpartum hair loss?
Postpartum hair loss happens because of drastic changes in reproductive hormone levels. This disrupts normal hair growth patterns.
Hair growth happens in a cycle: There’s a growing phase when hair is actively growing, and a resting phase, when it’s not. At the end of each resting phase, the hair is shed before the cycle restarts. Usually, about 10% to 15% of all hairs in the body are in the resting phase at any given time, so it’s normal to shed about 50 to 100 hairs each day.
During pregnancy, levels of estrogen increase to support the pregnant body and developing baby. As estrogen levels increase with the pregnancy, more hairs remain in the resting phase. As a result, less hair than usual is shed during pregnancy, and you may notice that your hair is much thicker and longer than usual.
But in the weeks following delivery, estrogen levels drop. With this drop in estrogen levels, hair returns to its natural hair cycle timeline. This causes many hairs to leave the resting phase in one go. This can cause an alarming amount of hair shedding all at once. But keep in mind, this hair shedding is hair that would have normally been shed during the 9 months of your pregnancy were it not for high estrogen levels. In other words, they weren’t yours to keep anyway.
Can vitamin deficiencies cause postpartum hair loss?
Some vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies may cause hair loss — whether you are pregnant or not. The best evidence supporting a link between vitamin deficiency and hair loss is for:
Zinc deficiency
Do you need postnatal vitamins? And are these different from prenatal supplements? Learn when postnatal vitamins are important and how long you should take them.
Not all shampoos are good for your hair. Avoid these shampoos that have been linked to hair loss — and learn which ingredients to avoid in your hair care routine.
You don’t need biotin for your hair and nails. Despite the marketing claims telling you otherwise, most people will not benefit from taking biotin supplements for their hair or nails.
There’s also some evidence linking hair loss to vitamin B deficiency, including vitamin B2 (riboflavin),vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin A deficiency, and vitamin E deficiency. But the science is much less convincing here. And, most people in the U.S. aren’t deficient in these vitamins. Keep in mind: Taking too much of some of these vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, vitamin E, and selenium, can actually cause hair loss, too.
So can extreme changes in nutrition and weight, for example:
Rapid weight loss
Extreme protein or calorie restriction
Unique considerations in pregnancy
When it comes to postpartum hair loss, it’s important to understand that pregnancy creates a unique situation for the body:
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn can make it difficult for pregnant women to meet their nutritional needs throughout their pregnancy.
In order to support a healthy pregnancy, a woman’s nutritional needs go up, especially for iron, vitamin D, folate, cаlcium, fiber, iodine, and choline.
This can make it hard for women to meet those nutritional needs, and it’s the main reason why prenatal vitamins are recommended before, during, and after a pregnancy.
Iron deficiency is particularly common in pregnancy, because the body needs it for the baby’s brain development, the placenta, and to increase the volume of blood needed to support a pregnancy. It’s estimated that as many as 40% of pregnant women are iron-deficient in the first trimester, and as many as 80% in the third trimester.
If you have normal iron levels at the start of your pregnancy, a prenatal supplement should be enough to see you through. If you have low levels at any point in pregnancy, then you may need an iron supplement in addition to your prenatal supplements.
How is postpartum hair loss diagnosed?
A healthcare professional (usually, a dermatologist) can make the diagnosis of postpartum hair loss based on your medical history of a recent pregnancy and physical exam.
The physical exam may include:
Pull test: A dermatologist will tug on about 60 hairs in different sections of the scalp. If six or more hairs come out, you may have active hair loss.
Visualizing the scalp: A healthcare professional will look at the hair shaft and scalp to look for evidence of hair breakage or inflammation.
Blood tests: A healthcare professional may do blood work to check for iron deficiency or vitamin D deficiency as possible factors in your hair loss.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
Postpartum hair loss can last up to 9 months after delivery. And many people will find their hair returning to its normal volume and growth pattern within a year. If your hair loss hasn’t improved within a year, make an appointment to see your primary care provider, or a dermatologist. They can help you find the cause of your hair loss and decide the best treatment plan for it.
How do you treat postpartum hair loss?
Postpartum hair shedding doesn’t require treatment. As the body returns to its baseline hormonal cycles, the hair growth cycle will return to baseline, too. In the meantime, you can manage the cosmetic appearance of thinning hair.
Here are some tips that might help:
Volumizing shampoo products: Volumizing shampoo can make hair look fuller by coating the hair shaft in protein. Ask your hairstylist which conditioner is best formulated for your hair type.
A change in hairstyle: A skilled hairstylist can offer a cut that will provide more lift and body to your hair, making it look fuller.
Vitamins: Continuing to take a prenatal vitamin can be helpful to support the body in the postpartum period — particularly if you’re breastfeeding.
Tips to minimize postpartum hair loss
You can’t prevent postpartum hair loss. For many, it’s a normal part of your pregnancy journey. But you may be able to reduce the amount of shedding by avoiding certain practices that can make hair loss worse.
Let’s review some tips to help support hair growth.
Avoid damaging hairstyles
It’s best to avoid styles that will pull the hair too tight, especially at the hairline. If there’s pain, crusting or pulling of the scalp after styling the hair, this could cause damage. It’s best to loosen any hairstyle that’s too tight, or try a different one altogether.
Common hairstyles that can be too tight include:
Ponytails
Braids
Hair extensions or weaves
Have a healthy hair care routine
Hair products and techniques affect scalp and hair health. Some hair care products can help strengthen the hair and improve the health of your scalp. Shampooing the scalp regularly can help remove any oil buildup that can be damaging to the hair. And, using conditioner can help add moisture to the hair and make it less prone to breakage. But beware: Some shampoos and other hair products have been linked to hair loss.
Other healthy hair care tips include:
Air dry your hair whenever possible.
Avoid sleeping with rollers frequently to decrease friction while sleeping.
Minimize chemical treatments, keeping at least 8 weeks between them.
Use a wide-tooth comb for styling and only comb or brush as necessary to style the hair.
Wear a swim cap and wash hair thoroughly after swimming.
Use the lowest heat setting possible to minimize heat damage during styling.
Frequently asked questions
Breastfeeding itself can’t cause hair loss. But, hair loss is common during the months after childbirth, a time in which many mothers also breastfeed. You can help to prevent vitamin deficiencies associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding by continuing your prenatal supplements while you breastfeed. This may also help to minimize hair loss caused by iron or other micronutrient deficiencies. But ultimately, postpartum hair loss is a common, natural, and reversible part of the pregnancy journey.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, plays a role in supporting skin and hair health. Biotin is heavily marketed as a supplement and ingredient for stronger hair and nails. But, the evidence supporting these claims just isn’t there. Unless you have a biotin deficiency (not common in the U.S.) taking additional biotin is unlikely to have any benefit on your hair growth or your health overall.
The bottom line
Postpartum hair loss is common and happens in about half of all people who have delivered a baby. The good news is that it usually resolves with time, and no treatment is required. Most people notice their hair is back to normal within a year. In the meantime, the most important thing you can do is to support healthy hair growth. If you’re concerned about your hair loss, talk with your primary care provider. They can make sure there are no other underlying medical reasons for your hair loss.
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References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). 10 hair care habits that can damage your hair.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Hair loss in new moms.
American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Pregnancy and hair loss.
Auerbach, M., et al. (2021). Prevalence of iron deficiency in first trimester, nonanemic pregnant women. The Journal Of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine.
Bistas, K. G., et al. (2023). Biotin. StatPearls.
Cochrane, K. M., et al. (2022). Iron-deficiency prevalence and supplementation practices among pregnant women: A secondary data analysis from a clinical trial in Vancouver, Canada. The Journal of Nutrition.
Dhurat, R., et al. (2009). Hair evaluation methods: Merits and demerits. International Journal of Trichology.
Guo, E. L., et al. (2017). Diet and hair loss: Effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual.
Hoover, E., et al. (2023). Physiology, hair. StatPearls.
Mounsey, A. L., et al. (2009). Diagnosing and treating hair loss. American Family Physician.
Piérard-Franchimont, C., et al. (2013). Alterations in hair follicle dynamics in women. Biomed Research International.
Saleem, S., et al. (2023). Biotin deficiency. StatPearls.
Walter, K. (2022). Common causes of hair loss. JAMA.
