Postpartum Hair Loss…it’s a real bitch.

I caught up with my friend and Denver hairstylist (since 2014!) Vicky Posada to answer all of our postpartum hair loss questions. Vicky owns SalonYin and is a GURU when it comes to hair care.

Some of the questions that we asked Vicky:
+ how to support your hair during pregnancy and postpartum?
+ how to slow pp hair loss?
+ best at-home tips for pp hair care?

Vicky – take it away babe.

Hi! It’s important to know that your hair has three phases.

???? a growth phase (anagen) that lasts 2-6 years
???? rest phase( catagen) 1-2 weeks
???? hair loss (telogen) 5-6

When you’re pregnant, your body changes in response to the new hormone levels needed for the baby to develop. The new balance of hormones, notably increased estrogen, changes your hair growth cycle. Hair remains in a growing phase longer during your pregnancy instead of shifting to a resting stage. Since the hair doesn’t come to the end of its growth cycle as quickly, you don’t lose as many individual hairs each day. The result is fuller hair.

Once you have had your baby, your hormone levels return to their pre-pregnancy levels. The drop in estrogen triggers your hair to go back to the cycle of growth, resting, and falling out. A significant portion of your hair will begin the resting phase right away. Several months later, the hairs have completed their resting phase and start to fall out.

I would say that understanding that postpartum hair loss is totally N O R M A L is the best place to start.

You may want to ask your doctor or midwife about continuing your prenatal pills, it’s better to wean off of them and let your body rebalance its production of hormones necessary for hair growth.

An at-home tip I love is using rosemary oil on the scalp to help promote hair growth. Dilute 1-3 drops of oil in distilled water and spray all over scalp massaging in for 3-5 minutes 1-2 times a week

Similar to peppermint essential oil (also used to promote hair growth), rosemary essential oil strengthens circulation. Beyond stimulating hair growth, rosemary essential oil is used to prevent premature graying and dandruff. It may also help dry or itchy scalp.

~ Vicky Posada
Owner + Hairstylist, SalonYin

Thank you, Vicky, for this insight into postpartum hair loss. If you want to get on to Vicky’s books at SalonYin in Denver – click here and follow Vicky on IG – @salonyin @vcky.p

What has your experience been like with postpartum hair loss? Tell me below if you would like to share. #readshugie