What causes Postpartum Hair loss?
Determining the cause of hair loss is vital! Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can arise from many causes. Luckily, many of these are reversible. Postpartum hair loss is common and normal in women after giving birth. Postpartum hair loss occurs months after having a baby when estrogen levels drop, resulting in the shedding of hair. Our hair growth cycle has 4 phases. This includes the anagen phase (growing), catagen phase (transition), telogen phase (resting), and exogen phase (shedding). During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high resulting in our hair remaining in the Telogen (resting) phase, unable to reach the shedding phase. Due to the increased hair retention, once estrogen levels drop, the exogen (shedding) phase begins. This results in a larger amount of shedding and hair loss.
How long does Postpartum hair loss last?
Postpartum hair loss varies from person to person. Typically it can normalize spontaneously or even last up to a year in some cases.
What treatments can help with postpartum hair loss?
You’re in luck! Treatments like platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) (link to PRF blog post to refer to read more) can help speed up the process of hair growth, utilizing one’s own blood to stimulate the body’s stem cells and growth factors resulting in new growth and thickness of one’s hair. Biotin, also known as Vitamin B3, can aid with hair growth and prevent hair loss. In order to help with hair growth during the postpartum period, it’s important to take a daily Biotin. Biotin intramuscular shots are offered in clinics at GFaceMD and are a great way to boost hair growth during the postpartum period!
