Postpartum Hair Shedding: A Dermatologist Explains

Postpartum Hair Shedding: What New Mothers Need to Know Many new mothers experience hair loss after giving birth. This isn't necessarily true hair loss, but rather increased shedding due to hormonal fluctuations. Dr. Dray, a board-certified dermatologist, explains this common phenomenon. "The best thing about postpartum hair loss is that it's not true hair loss; it's hair shedding," she says. The increased shedding occurs because pregnancy hormones keep more hair in the growing phase. After delivery, hormone levels normalize, and the hair that was in the growing phase enters the shedding phase, resulting in noticeable hair loss. This shedding usually subsides by the baby's first birthday. To minimize the duration of shedding, Dr. Dray advises maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding crash diets, and ensuring sufficient nutrition. This reassurance from a medical expert offers comfort to new mothers experiencing this common postpartum change.