Postpartum Hair Loss
This condition can be observed in about 50% of women after giving birth. It occurs because during pregnancy, the body continuously produces estrogen, which stimulates around 90% of our hair to be in the growing phase at the same time, making us feel like our hair is thicker than usual. This hormone drops immediately after childbirth, causing hair to stop growing and fall out simultaneously, with hair loss reaching several hundred strands per day. Symptoms are usually noticeable around the third month postpartum, but they can occur anytime from 1 to 6 months after giving birth. After 6 to 12 months, our hair will naturally return to normal as our hormones stabilize.
However, if after 1 year you still experience hair loss of more than 100 strands per day, it’s recommended to consult a doctor as there may be other underlying conditions, such as hereditary hair thinning.
Recommendations
- Get adequate rest and exercise regularly.
- Consume a nutritionally balanced diet, emphasizing foods rich in zinc, also known simply as Zinc.
- Cutting hair short can help reduce tangling and thus slow down hair loss.
Dr. Nataporn Tongkichacharoen
Dermatology and Family Medicine Specialist
Dermatology Clinic
