
Childbirth is one of the most anguishing yet joyful parts of being a mother. When you think about it, doesn’t the whole process feel almost magical? A human being carrying and nourishing another form of life. While the joys of giving birth to a child are beyond comparison, postpartum journey is a different story.
After the child is born, the postpartum phase begins. Your body shifts and changes to restore your body to normal after the birthing process. Hormone levels fluctuate, which can cause hair shedding. While this phase is generally temporary, there are a few steps you can take to minimize hair fall and maintain scalp and hair health. Let’s explore causes, symptoms, and actionable tips to manage postpartum haircare.
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What Is Postpartum Hair Fall?
Postpartum hair fall is a condition experienced by new mothers a few months after childbirth. As your body adjusts to normalcy after pregnancy, you might notice some changes. Sometimes, they are sudden and unexpected. For example, when you’re pregnant, your estrogen levels begin to elevate. This leads to fuller and thicker hair.
However, once your bundle of joy has arrived, estrogen levels begin to fall. This sudden dip can make your hair fall out in clumps. This phase can last anywhere from 3 months to 6 months after delivery. As your body catches up, your hair growth goes back to normal within a year or so. There can be other factors involved as well. Childbirth and looking after the little one can be stressful in more ways than one. You’re also most likely not able to look after your hair as well as you need to. The physical stress from childbirth is also a major factor. You need rest and sleep to help restore your body. But as we know, sleep is scarce for new mothers. This results in a complex blend of issues which eventually leads to postpartum hair fall.
Symptoms And Causes
Here’s what postpartum hair fall can look like:
- Excessive hair shedding, especially when brushing or washing your hair.
- Thinning hair around the hairline or crown of the head.
- Noticeable clumps of hair falling out.
But why is it happening at all? Here are a few quick reasons to consider:
- Hormonal changes, especially reduced estrogen levels.
- Physical and emotional stress from childbirth and caregiving.
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron or protein levels.
- Lack of sleep and hydration.
Scalp Care Tips
If you’ve read so far, you’ve got a good idea what postpartum hair fall is all about. So, what do we do about it? Let’s look at a few tips that might help you through this phase.
Tip 1 - Gentle Scalp Massage
Who doesn’t love a soothing, warm scalp massage. For many of us, it transports us back to the memories filled with sunshine on a cold and foggy morning. A warm champi during winter mornings seemed to fix everything. Turns out, it’s not just soothing but also great for hair growth. Gently massage your scalp with an oil of your choice. Try our Onion, Black Seed Oil and Patchouli Hair Oil. It reduces your hair fall by 4x*. The natural onion bulb oil controls hair loss and facilitates hair growth. A quick and gentle massage can increaseblood flow to the scalp. Increased blood circulation stimulates your follicles for healthier hair.
Tip 2 - Use A Mild, Nourishing Shampoo
During your postpartum journey, use products that are not harsh for your scalp and hair. When you’re picking a shampoo, look for one which is free from sulfates and other harsh chemicals. Our Onion, Blackseed and Patchouli Shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, and dyes, making it a safe and even a recommended choice for new moms. In just one wash, you can notice 75% less hair fall*. Blackseed oil has long been considered a holy grail ingredient. It is proven to promote hair growth, reduces hair loss, and nourish your scalp. The onion and blackseed oil duo in this formula work perfectly to nurture your hair and reduces hair fall. Our Onion Range has everything you need in a postpartum hair fall treatment.
Tip 3 - Regular Conditioning
Once your scalp is fresh and clean, a gentle conditioner should be the next step. Using conditioners post wash is important as it helps replenish any moisture that might have been lost. Looking for a conditioner to supplement your hair growth journey? Our Onion, Blackseed and Patchouli Conditioner might be your perfect partner. Use it to strengthen your locks as you detangle. Its soft and slippery texture makes it glide like butter through your hair. The onion bulb oil and blackseed oil shine through in this product as well. This combination helps reduce hair fall and while conditioning your hair. Wash it off after a couple of minutes. To top it all off, the patchouli notes leave your hair smelling floral and fresh.
Hair fall control
Onion, Blackseed & Patchouli Conditioner
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Tip 4 – Deep Conditioning
Why deep condition if you’re always conditioning after wash? Think of conditioners as moisturizers that you nourish your skin with every day. But, at the end of the week, you might want to go for a face mask for getting that refreshed, glowing look. That’s exactly what a hair mask is for as well. It gives your hair an extra something – an extra boost of moisture, strength, and repairs effectively. Once a week, consider deep conditioning with our Onion, Blackseed Oil and Patchouli Hair Mask. The coconut oil in our mask is 100% organic which deeply nourishes and strengthens your locks.
Tip 5 - Maintain A Balanced Diet
Using topical products solves only half the equation. The other half is your diet. While you know the importance of a good diet, on some days, you might reach out for a packet of chips instead of having a full meal. Diet is an important factor when we look at haircare. As a new mom, you’re probably not able to spend much time in the kitchen to prepare a nutritious meal for yourself. While chips are not unhealthy when consumed with occasionally or in small quantities, it’s not a substitute for a complete meal. Try to include leafy greens, eggs, nuts, fish, beans and fruits in your diet. A nourishing combination of these will ensure you’re giving your body enough to keep it functioning and thriving. Only when you’re consuming enough to support vital functions, can your body focus on hair growth. As within, so without.
Tip 6 - Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Sure, a sleek, high ponytail can sound really good when you want to look and feel a bit better. But tight hairstyles can tug at your roots and cause more hair loss. The constant pull and pressure at your scalp weaken your hair. Think of it like tugging at a healthy leaf on a plant. After a point, when you’re pulling with enough force, the leaf is going to fall off. The same thing happens with your hair strands too. Go for looser hairstyles like a loose plait or a loose bun. Give your scalp some rest. Style it with different kinds of accessories if you’re feeling a bit fancy.
Tip 7 - Minimize Heat And Chemical Treatments
Who doesn’t love experimenting with their hair? It keeps things fun and lets you express yourself. However, it’s not as fun for your hair. Using too much heat and chemically treating your hair too often can weaken and damage your locks. It’s like getting your nails done every day. While it can keep things fresh, the alcohol in nail products, buffing, and filing can compromise your nails’ health. Try minimizing the use of heat and other chemical treatments like coloring. And even when you do use heat, a heat protectant is a must.
Tip 8 - Stay Hydrated
Drink 7-8 glasses of water – sounds easy enough to follow, right? For new moms, managing themselves and their baby can feel like juggling two worlds at once. Consider keeping a water bottle around you
Tip 9 – Take Time To Destress
If all of this wasn’t stressful enough, you have to stop stressing about stress too. Jokes aside, if you can take away one thing from this article, let it be this. You are going through a completely new, exhausting phase of your life. Don’t let yourself go through any of this without kindness. Be as gentle and caring to yourself as you are with your baby. Happy mum, happy baby.
Takeaway
Let’s admit it – postpartum life is tough. While cradling your baby feels like one of life’s greatest joys, being a new mother is still difficult. It doesn’t help that postpartum hair loss is also a thing. While you nurture your infant, remember to do the same for yourself. With just a few tips and the right products, you can keep hair loss at bay. Care for your hair and body as you navigate the complex journey that is motherhood.