{"id":12754,"date":"2024-11-13T10:40:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T10:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/?p=12754"},"modified":"2025-09-17T13:39:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T13:39:51","slug":"reduce-manage-postpartum-hair-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk\/health-advice\/hair-loss\/reduce-manage-postpartum-hair-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Reduce and Manage Postpartum Hair Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Postpartum hair loss can come as a surprise – and you might be alarmed by the amount of hair you’re shedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try not to worry. Losing your hair after giving birth is both normal and temporary<\/a>. Over 90% of women experience postpartum hair loss, according to a recent study<\/a>. And your hair will eventually return to normal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But hair loss can knock your confidence – no matter how common, or what the cause is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in this article, we explain what can help with postpartum hair loss. We also give you four tips to help you hide hair loss \u2013 and the awkward regrowth phase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Helps Postpartum Hair Loss?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Postpartum hair loss will usually resolve on its own without treatment. You can usually expect hair to start growing back after three to six months. It should return to pre-pregnancy fullness in about one year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you still need to take steps to look after your hair, just like at any other time. This will help your hair grow back as fast and healthy as possible and help minimise the amount of hair you lose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eat a nourishing and balanced diet to make sure you get all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. Good nutrition fuels hair growth<\/a>, as well as helping to keep you fit and healthy post-birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iron, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin D are a few specific nutrients linked to healthy hair. If your diet is deficient in these, you might notice hair thinning or loss. Other vitamins like B vitamins and minerals like selenium are commonly found in hair loss medications that promote hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some supplements are not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. So talk to a doctor or dietitian if you\u2019re not sure whether you\u2019re getting enough vitamins through your diet. They can help you choose the right ones for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Heat Styling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heat styling tools, which reach up to 200 degrees celsius, can (quite literally) fry your hair. When you apply heat to your hair<\/a>, the outermost protective layer \u2013 which contains overlapping layers of cells \u2013 loses its integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, we\u2019d recommend scaling back on hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs. This will help your hair remain as healthy as possible and reduce breakages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not always realistic to give up heat styling tools completely, especially if there\u2019s a special event coming up like a wedding or naming ceremony for your new baby. So, if you do need to use them, make sure to use a heat protective spray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Gentle With Your Hair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To minimise the amount of hair you lose, try and be as gentle as you can with your hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use soft hair ties, like fabric scrunchies, instead of hair bands with a metal fastening. And try not to pull your hair too tight in a ponytail, which can tug and cause hair to break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hair also becomes much more vulnerable when it\u2019s wet. So only brush your hair when it\u2019s dry. It\u2019s also a good idea to turn down the temperature on your shower, because water that’s too hot can damage hair in a similar way to heat styling tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Gentle With Yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing hair loss can take a toll on your mental health and cause stress \u2013 which can lead to more hair loss. So try and prioritise self-care and remember to go easy on yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips from the NHS<\/a> for dealing with stress:<\/p>\n\n\n\n