Hair loss is part and parcel of the postpartum experience. It usually starts two to four months after delivery, and stops three to six weeks after the initial onset.

In most non-pregnant people, five to 10 per cent of hair follicles are in the resting phase, or not producing hair at any given time. Hormonal changes, such as a boost in oestrogen, drastically reduce these rest periods during pregnancy, giving women lush, full hair. When oestrogen drops post-pregnancy, the rest mode kicks into overdrive, causing 10 to 30 per cent of the follicles to not produce hair. As new hairs come in after the rest period, they push the old ones out, leading to increased hair loss.

Eating a healthy diet rich in vitamin B and protein will give you healthier hair, but won’t stop post-pregnancy hair loss.

See a dermatologist if your hair is not back to normal by your baby’s first birthday.

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