Postpartum Alopecia
What is postpartum hair loss?
Have you noticed your hair falling out more after having a baby? That’s postpartum hair loss, also called telogen effluvium or postpartum alopecia, a common condition triggered by hormonal fluctuations. High levels of estrogen during pregnancy prevent hair from entering the resting phase, resulting in thicker locks. But during and after pregnancy, estrogen levels fall, and all the additional hair comes out at once. It typically begins three months after giving birth and can extend for at least a year. It’s absolutely normal, and yet it can feel frustrating. The good news? Your hair will grow back! A healthy diet, mild hair care, and treatments can also help to speed up the regrowth process.
Hair typically grows half an inch per month and there are three main phases that hair goes through as it grows:
- Anagen (Growing Phase): Can last from 2 to 7 years during which hair grows actively.
- Catagen (Transition Phase): A brief period during which hair growth stops as it prepares to detach from the hair follicle.
- Telogen (Resting Phase): Lasts approximately three months during which old hairs fall out to make way for new growth.