Pregnancy causes several hormonal changes. These changes can have side effects, including hair loss. Women generally face postpartum hair loss, which is losing hair after the baby is born. However, some women experience it during early pregnancy as well.

Telogen effluvium during pregnancy

Hair loss during and after pregnancy is common in many women, with almost 40-50% of women experiencing it. Sometimes, it is normal to experience hair loss during pregnancy, especially early pregnancy, because of stress. It cannot be associated directly with pregnancy but is a result of stress. Such hair loss is referred to as Telogen effluvium.

It usually starts during the first trimester but discontinues further into the pregnancy. You can speak with your midwife or GP about this.

Causes of hair loss during pregnancy

Pregnancy causes hormones to fluctuate. There are several things which might happen to your hair. Some women get a thicker and fuller mane, while others feel their hair getting brittle and dry.

Varying estrogen and progesterone levels also affect hair growth. The hair might shed at a slower rate and become thick or they might become brittle because of increased progesterone.

Progesterone causes the hair to break at the root, resulting in hair loss. Each pregnancy is different, and what happens to your hair during pregnancy can be completely different from what happens to other women.

Minimising hair fall during pregnancy

If you are suffering from hair loss during pregnancy, avoid chemicals and laser treatments. Instead, invest in a high-quality natural formula that prevents hair shedding. Alternatively, look for specialised pregnancy hair loss treatment to get examined and treated by the professionals.

Go for Ayurvedic or Chinese herbal treatments, which are gentle on your scalp and do not have side effects. Trichologists have helped several women prevent pregnancy hair loss in Singapore. Since you are pregnant, it’s best to avoid chemicals, as these can harm the fetus.

Concentrate on improving your diet.  Go for balanced meals rich in proteins and fats. Keep yourself active if you can. It will make your pregnancy smooth and improve your health.

Postpartum hair loss

Pregnancy brings significant changes in your body. You might get that pregnancy glow but after a while,  you notice you’re starting to lose your lush hair. You might even think that you’re going to go bald.

You haven’t lost the baby weight, and everything about you is changing. You have one more thing to deal with: hair loss.

Causes of hair fall after pregnancy

Postpartum hair loss doesn’t start immediately after giving birth. The hormones slowly return to normal, and you start noticing more hair on your brush. The medical term for postpartum hair loss is Telogen effluvium. It impacts new mothers and can take a toll on their looks and self-esteem.

Hormonal changes are the number one cause of hair loss. The estrogen starts getting normal, and that is when your hair starts to shed. However, you shouldn’t be too alarmed because the shedding will stop once your body has recovered from pregnancy.

Postpartum hair loss can last for more than six months for some women, while some might notice their hair fall has stopped after four months.

Hair growth cycle 

The growth cycle of the hair has three phases repeated throughout a lifetime. The Anagen phase is the time of active hair growth. Around 80 to 90% of your hair is in the Anagen phase.

The Catagen phase is short and transitional, during which the hair falls and starts to shrink. Then comes the Telogen phase, a resting phase that lasts about three months.

What generally happens is that the pregnancy hormones cause the hair from the Anagen phase to enter the Telogen phase. Suddenly, you start to lose your hair.

Although you might be distressed, keep in mind that it is temporary. The drop in estrogen level causes hair shedding, but once your hormones get back to normal, you are going to get your hair back.

Remedies for hair loss after pregnancy

Preventing postpartum hair loss might not be possible, but there are a few things to reduce it.

• Keep a healthy diet and increase protein intake. Most women suffer from vitamin deficiency, and taking supplements stops hair fall.
• Some women find that cutting their hair makes it healthier and reduces hair loss. Avoid using hairstyling products because they will do more damage to your hair.
• Try using a volumising shampoo. It creates an illusion of fullness and prevents your hair from looking sparse.
• You might want to talk with your provider because hair loss longer than six months, can be associated with iron deficiency or thyroid disease.

Don’t worry; you can get your hair back by being vigilant about your diet and using natural products. Take care of your hair and oil it when possible. Remember to wash regularly and keep the scalp clean.

If the tests are normal and you still have severe hair loss, consider using a herbal and natural hair loss treatment such as Two Herbs. Thousands of new mothers have found solace in pregnancy hair loss treatments in Singapore.