Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful things that can happen in any womans life. However, it can also be confusing and dreadful for some. It is because during pregnancy, women experience certain changes in their physical and behaviour attributes which, more often than not, they find unusual and uncontrollable. One of the most common complains given by women who had just given birth has something to do with their hair growth. It has been found that a considerable number of women claim that they experience hair loss after pregnancy.
Before tackling the real score behind hair loss after pregnancy, it is important to know the bodys natural hair growth mechanism first and foremost. Normally, as your hair undergo the usual pattern of growth cycle; it follows a resting phase wherein it is put under a relaxed state. In turn, hairs hold loose from their roots while bulbs from hair shafts move closer to the skin surface. Meanwhile, as you shampoo, condition, and brush your hair regularly, hair roots loosen up further. These cause the hairs to eventually fall off which typically amount from 50 to 150 strands per day. As the cycle repeats from the beginning, follicles would resume generating new hair to replace the ones previously lost.
For someone like you a pregnant woman whos experiencing hair loss after pregnancy its inevitable to become confused and overwhelmed all at the same time. But what is the real score behind hair loss after pregnancy and how would you be able to deal with it? On the other hand, what happens to your hair while you are in your pregnant state?
DOES HAIRLOSS DURING PREGNANCY HAPPEN?
An increase in estrogen (female hormone) levels during pregnancy prolongs the growth phase of the hair. Approximately 85 to 95 percent of the hair is in this stage while only 5 to 15 percent undergo the resting phase. As a result, hair grows thicker during this time because there are less strands of hair falling out in relation to the influence brought upon by boosted estrogen levels.
STILL, WHY SOME PREGNANT MOMMYS EXPERIENCE HAIR LOSS DURING PREGNANCY? WHAT COULD BE THE FACTORS THAT GIVE RISE TO THIS?
While most women do not experience hair loss during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels in their bodies, however, a few other pregnant moms do. Hair loss during pregnancy can occur if the woman has insufficient intake or depleted reserves of vitamins and minerals; or thyroid function irregularities. Seeking a physicians intervention is important at this point.
NOW AFTER GIVING BIRTH, WHAT COULD BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF HAIR LOSS DURING PREGNANCY?
After child delivery, there occurs a sudden drop of previously high estrogen levels in the womans body. This results to more hair follicles entering the resting phase than before. As a result, more hair is being shed. This hair loss after pregnancy (also known as Telogen effluvium) which is characterized by excessive shedding of hair happens during the first five months after a woman gives birth.
Hair loss after pregnancy is usually a transitory condition. It is something every pregnant women, new and old mothers alike, should know at the very beginning of their gestation period. The good news about hair loss after pregnancy is it does not cause patchy or complete baldness to any pregnant mom. There are several ways in order to deal with hair loss after pregnancy. Youd be surprised that some of them are very practical and easy to do:
- Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help you deal with hair loss after pregnancy. They contain natural antioxidants called flavonoids which strengthen hair follicles while ensuring healthy hair development.
- Another way of dealing with hair loss after pregnancy is by using a wide-tooth comb for your hair. This would enable you to straighten up tangled ends without putting too much trauma to your hair strands.
- Refrain from using hot rollers and curling irons whenever you experience hair loss after pregnancy. Excessive heat coming from these appliances will ruin your delicate hair shafts and the methods used to manipulate them could pull out substantial amount of hair.
- Use biotin-containing or silica-based shampoos and conditioner. These ingredients would prevent further hair loss after pregnancy and help promote natural and healthy hair growth.
- Have your hair cut short when experiencing hair loss after pregnancy. Short hairstyles during this period can help mask the effects of excessive hair fall because these hairdos would make your mane look fuller and voluminous.
- If you are still in doubt, it would be best to contact your physician for professional help or advice regarding other issues about hair loss after pregnancy.
Hair loss after pregnancy can be very dreadful on the part of the woman jeopardizing not only her self-image, but also her self-esteem. However, there is no reason to fret if you are a woman experiencing this particular situation because this is only temporary. Hair loss after pregnancy would usually go off after six to twelve months upon giving birth a time when you can expect a normal hair re-growth. Still, if you are in doubt, you can always seek a physicians advice in order to clarify your concerns regarding this matter.