Postpartum alopecia is the condition that causes new mothers to suffer some hair loss after the delivery of their child. It is caused by reduced levels of estrogen in the body.
During pregnancy, estrogen levels are at their highest, leading to increased hair growth. After pregnancy, estrogen levels drop, which causes an increase in the male hormone testosterone, resulting in hair loss. Testosterone is produced in the male testes, and in lesser amounts by the female ovaries.
On average, a human would shed around 50-100 hairs every day. Postpartum aopecia will normally peak around four months after childbirth and within twelve months hair will have been restored back to its normal levels.
At any given time, about ninety percent of you hair is in the growing stage. The remaining hair is in a resting stage and falls out after completing this stage. As old hairs are shed new hairs take their place. It is after the resting stage when hair loss occurs.
When your hormone levels are elevated, hair growth is above average and will result in less shedding. Once the delivery has occurred, all the hair that would normally have been shed will tend to fall out in one go. The result will be a head of hair that appears thinner than before.
This is quite normal and cannot really be avoided. You can focus on making this postpartum alopecia appear less noticeable. Wearing your hair shorter for example can give the illusion of a fuller head of hair.
Securing the hair during sleep, such as a loose ponytail, will reduce the incidence of friction that causes hair loss.
Satin pillows are great for limiting postpartum hair loss, and at other times as well for that matter. This is because of the reduction in friction that the satin pillow brings. As a matter of fact, it is this friction which will cause your baby to lose hair as they rub their head while lying in the cot.
You may find hair missing around the back of the baby's head. This is normal and the hair loss is only temporary.
Other causes of hair loss may include:
Stopping birth control pills, miscarriage or stillbirth, abortion, and a hormonal imbalance.
The above causes all have an impact on estrogen levels and it is these estrogen levels which are at the heart of hair loss issues with females.
Managing this condition:
- Eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Avoid the use of harsh chemical preparations on the hair
- Avoid wearing your hair in any style that pulls tightly at your brow.
- Use natural hair shampoos and conditioners that nourish and revitalize your hair.
Even though not much can be done about postpartum alopecia, there are things you can do to minimize the affects of hair loss after pregnancy. Proper hair care will make all the difference in the world.
Author Resource:-
Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com where people meet to learn from one another on topics such as female hair loss. You can follow the links to find more related articles such as female thinning hair and hair loss in woman.
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