During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels keep hair in its growth phase longer than usual. That is why so many women have their thickest hair ever in the third trimester. After birth, hormones drop, and all that hair that should have shed over months falls out at once.
What normal postpartum shedding looks like
- It starts two to four months after delivery.
- It is diffuse: hair thins all over, not in patches.
- You see a lot of hair on the brush, the pillow and in the shower, but your scalp is not sore or irritated.
- It slows down by itself and is usually over by the baby's first birthday.
Nothing stops this shedding, and nothing needs to. What you can do is protect the hair you have: gentle handling, loose styles, no tight ponytails or braids while the hair is fragile, and a scalp that is kept clean and comfortable so the new growth comes in well.
When it is something else
Some situations deserve a closer look:
- Shedding that continues well beyond twelve months.
- Patches of complete hair loss rather than overall thinning.
- A hairline that recedes, especially if you wore tight styles during pregnancy or after.
- Extreme fatigue, hair loss and brittle nails together: iron deficiency and thyroid changes are common after birth and both cause hair loss.
- Itching, flaking or pain on the scalp.
Iron and thyroid are checked with a simple blood test from your doctor. Traction and scalp conditions are what we look at in a trichology diagnosis.
The postpartum protective-style trap
New mothers have no time, so many go for long-lasting braids or a sew-in. On hair that is already shedding, a tight install can turn temporary shedding into traction alopecia. If you want a protective style during this period, keep it loose, keep the edges out, and choose a glueless wig you can remove every night.
Talk to us
Our diagnosis tells you whether what you are seeing is normal postpartum shedding or something that needs attention, and gives you a simple routine that fits a new mother's schedule.
See our trichology service or book your diagnosis on WhatsApp.
