Written by the SiWell content team ·
Yes, postpartum hair loss is completely normal. Research shows that as many as 9 out of 10 women experience it. On average, hair loss begins around 3 months after childbirth, peaks around 5 months, and largely subsides after 6 to 12 months. So, your hair will return to its original thickness on its own, usually by your baby's first birthday.
Still, it can be startling: clumps of hair in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower, just when you'd gotten used to your new life as a mother. Below, you can read exactly why this happens and what you can do yourself.
During your pregnancy, your hair stays in the growth phase longer than normal. This is due to the high estrogen and progesterone levels in your body. The result: your hair probably felt fuller and thicker than ever during your pregnancy.
After childbirth, these hormone levels quite suddenly drop back to their normal level. All those hairs that were "held" in the growth phase for an extra long time now simultaneously enter the resting phase and fall out en masse a few months later. This is called telogen effluvium, or: a temporary, harmless form of increased hair loss.
Important to know: this does not damage your hair follicles. It is a temporary synchronization of your hair growth cycle, not permanent hair loss.
Silicon is a mineral naturally present in the human body, including in connective tissue, skin, hair, and nails. Scientific research has been conducted on silicon in relation to hair, such as a study by Lassus (1993) on the effect of oral silicon intake on fragile hair.
It's important to be honest: in 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed whether there is a proven cause-and-effect relationship between silicon intake and effects on collagen formation or the formation of hair and nails.
Research among hundreds of women shows a clear pattern:
Are you breastfeeding? Then the process may take a little longer, as your hormone levels will return to their baseline more slowly.
Be patient, but alert. For most women, hair recovers on its own within a year, without any treatment. That's good to know if all the fallen hair makes you insecure.
Silicon is naturally part of your connective tissue. Your body needs extra nutrients after childbirth. Some women choose to maintain their silicon intake through diet or supplements.
Style gently. Avoid tight ponytails and blow-drying on high heat during this period; your hair follicles are temporarily more vulnerable.
Check your iron levels. After childbirth, an iron deficiency is not uncommon, and this can worsen or prolong hair loss. A blood test at your GP can quickly provide clarity.
If hair loss lasts longer than 12 to 18 months, or if you notice bald spots instead of general thinning, it is advisable to discuss this with your GP. This could indicate a thyroid problem, which is more common in the period after childbirth and causes similar symptoms.
Your body has just accomplished something incredible. Postpartum hair loss is a sign that your hormones are recovering, not a sign that something is wrong. Curious about silicon as a mineral? View our page on silicon or discover Triple A Silicon.
Read more: the six causes of hair loss · SiWell during pregnancy
Is postpartum hair loss the same as regular hair loss? No. Postpartum hair loss is a form of telogen effluvium: a temporary, hormonally induced synchronization of your hair growth cycle. Unlike, for example, hereditary hair loss, this does not damage your hair follicles, and it resolves on its own.
Is there anything I can do to prevent postpartum hair loss? Complete prevention is not possible, as it is a normal hormonal reaction that occurs in most women. What can help: gentle styling, adequate iron intake, and patience, as described above.
Should I be concerned if it lasts longer than a year? If hair loss persists longer than 12 to 18 months, or if you see bald spots instead of general thinning, it is advisable to discuss this with your GP. This could indicate another cause, such as a thyroid problem.
Does breastfeeding affect how long hair loss lasts? Possibly. Research suggests that women who breastfeed may experience hair loss for slightly longer on average, as hormone levels return to their baseline more slowly.
Sources
Nick suffered a lot from hair loss. No product worked. Until he started using SiWell Triple A Silicium a year ago.
Nick suffered a lot from hair loss. No product worked. Until he started using SiWell Triple A Silicium a year ago.
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