An average person loses about 100 hairs a day and that is considered to be normal. However, not all 100 hair strands are lost at once. It happens many times throughout the day and most people don't notice them at all. Additionally, when a woman is expecting, the pregnancy hormones keep the hair from falling out. This means that the pregnancy hormones leave a pregnant woman's hair looking not only thick but also smooth and silky.
But just like every good thing comes to an end, once the hormones drop back to normal, the extra hair growth during the course of pregnancy also drops. This sudden hair fall can be worrying. However, it is completely normal to lose hair after childbirth.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
It is important to understand that it is completely normal and natural to lose hair after childbirth. Please know that you are not going to go bald. In case of breastfeeding, some of the extra hair may not fall off until you wean off or start to supplement with formula or solid food.
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Tips to deal with postpartum hair loss
If you're losing hair after and since giving birth, here are some things you can incorporate to make it better:
1. Eat the right nutrients
The key to keeping your hair healthy is by eating well and continuing to take your prenatal vitamin supplement. Eat a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. Increase the intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables alongside at least eight glasses of water per day.
2. Go easy on your hair
It is natural to recklessly brush your hair when you lose hundreds of hair strands. However, note that we need to be extra gentle to further prevent any excess hair loss after pregnancy. Shampoo only when necessary, and use a good conditioner and a wide-toothed comb to remove knots with ease.
Also read: 4 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make To Help Reverse Prediabetes
3. Choose the right accessories
Elastic bands tend to make the hair fragile which leads the hair to break more easily. Hence, OnlyMyHealth suggests that you use scrunchies or barrettes to put hair up instead of elastic bands. Additionally, try not to pull hair into tight and high ponytails.
4. Turn down the heat
Exposure to high heat changes the shape of the hair's keratin strands. Hence, skip blow-dryers, curling and flat irons as much as you can. Moreover, put off any highlights, perms and straightening sessions until the hair loss completely and evidently stops.
5. Talk to your practitioner in case of excessive hair loss
As normal it is to lose hair after child birth, it is equally important to acknowledge when you need to visit a doctor. When the hair loss is accompanied by other symptoms, it could be a sign or symptom of postpartum thyroiditis. Therefore, if you experience hair loss incessantly visit your doctor.