Postpartum hair loss: what is normal and when to get help

Why does hair fall out after having a baby?

Each hair on your head goes through a cycle of growing, resting and shedding. At any time, most hairs are growing and a smaller number are resting before they fall out. It is normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day.

During pregnancy, hormone changes mean that fewer hairs move into the resting phase, so many people notice thicker hair. After birth, hormone levels change again and a large number of hairs move into the resting phase at the same time. A few months later those hairs are pushed out by new hairs growing underneath, which is why the shedding can seem sudden and heavy.

This type of shedding is called telogen effluvium. Telogen is the name for the resting phase of the hair cycle, and effluvium means shedding.

When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?

Shedding usually becomes noticeable two to four months after giving birth. It often feels heaviest for a few weeks, then gradually slows. For most people hair fall returns to normal within six to nine months.

As the shedding settles, many people notice short new hairs along the hairline and parting. These are a good sign that hair is growing back, although it can take a year or more for longer hair to reach its previous length and fullness.

Is it normal to lose this much hair?

Many people are surprised by how much hair they lose, and it can be upsetting. Hair in the plughole, on pillows and in a hairbrush is common. The hair usually comes out evenly from all over the scalp rather than in patches, and you may notice it most around the temples.

If you are worried, it can help to keep an eye on whether the shedding is gradually slowing over a few months. Taking a photo of your parting in the same light once a month can make changes easier to see.

When should you see a GP?

Postpartum shedding is usually nothing to worry about, but some hair loss after pregnancy has another cause. Speak to your GP if:

• Shedding is still heavy more than nine months to a year after birth.
• You notice round bald patches, or loss of eyebrows or eyelashes.
• Your scalp is red, sore, itchy or scaly.
• You feel very tired, breathless, dizzy or cold, or have noticed changes in your weight, mood or periods.
• Your hair is thinning mainly at the top of the head and parting rather than shedding all over.

Your GP may suggest blood tests. Iron deficiency anaemia and thyroid problems are both common after pregnancy and can contribute to hair loss. In some people, postpartum shedding reveals an underlying pattern hair loss, which a GP or dermatologist can advise on.

What helps while your hair recovers?

There is no treatment that stops postpartum shedding once it has started, and most people do not need one. These steps can make the months of shedding easier:

• Wash and condition your hair as usual. Washing does not cause hair loss; you are simply seeing hairs that were already loose.
• Use a wide-toothed comb and be gentle with wet hair.
• Avoid tight ponytails, buns and braids that pull at the hairline.
• Eat as well as you can, and keep taking any supplements your midwife, GP or pharmacist has recommended.
• Talk to your hairdresser about a cut or style that makes thinner areas less noticeable while new hair grows.

Be cautious about products that promise to stop shedding or regrow hair quickly. If you are breastfeeding, check with a pharmacist or GP before using any new medicine or supplement.

Who can help with postpartum hair loss?

Your GP is the right first stop if you are worried or notice any of the signs above. A trichologist can help you understand the hair cycle, look closely at your scalp and keep track of your recovery, and will refer you back to your doctor if they see anything that needs medical care. A hairdresser who understands shedding can help with styling while your hair grows back.

If your shedding followed an illness or a stressful time rather than a birth, our guide to hair loss after stress or illness explains the same process.

You can find cosmetic, clinical and medical hair and scalp professionals near you in the Trichollective directory.