Everything about pregnancy and hair loss!

How can you reduce hair loss after giving birth?

You’re not alone if you’re experiencing hair loss: many women lose entire clumps of hair every day after being pregnant. Losing this much hair can be quite alarming and may cause receding hairlines or thinning hair. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to limit hair loss. In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hair growth, hair loss, hormone balance and hair vitamins.

Hair loss after pregnancy: what causes it?

Hair loss can have various causes, including after pregnancy. In most cases, it’s caused by changes in hormone levels, stress, iron deficiency or a combination of these factors. Later in this blog, you’ll read exactly how that works. Hair loss is completely normal to a certain extent, but during this period your body sheds much more hair. In some cases, it may not be possible to completely prevent temporarily increased hair loss, but with the right tips you can reduce hair loss after pregnancy.

How does your hair grow during pregnancy?

All the hair on your body grows in a cycle. There’s a growth phase, a transition phase, a resting phase and a shedding phase. Your hairs aren’t all in the same phase at the same time, ensuring that enough hair always remains firmly attached. You lose around 50 to 120 hairs every day, but new hairs grow back too. When you’re pregnant, your body has a very different hormone balance. Unlike during a regular menstrual cycle, your estrogen levels remain high for an extended period. This keeps your hair in the resting phase, so it hardly sheds at all. That’s why women often have thick, shiny hair during pregnancy: a hallmark of the “pregnancy glow.”

What happens to your hair after giving birth?

After pregnancy, your hormone balance changes again: your estrogen levels drop. Your hair also gradually returns to its normal state and enters the shedding phase. You start losing hair again, but the extra hair you retained during pregnancy also falls out. As a result, you lose more hair than you’re used to, which many women understandably find alarming. Emotional and physical stress, such as that caused by childbirth, can intensify this response. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Don’t worry: it’s a sign that your body is leaving the pregnancy hormones behind. You won’t go bald, and eventually your hair will return to its usual fullness. This is completely normal, except when bald patches appear. If you develop bald patches, you’re advised to contact your doctor. Otherwise, in most cases your hair will be back to its pre-pregnancy style within 12 months at the latest.

When does hair loss start?

Breastfeeding also has benefits for you: it can delay the phase when you lose more hair. This is also related to the amount of estrogen in your body: breastfeeding keeps your estrogen levels high for a little longer. When you stop breastfeeding, you’ll probably notice your hair loss increasing. Iron deficiency can also play a role in hair loss after pregnancy. It’s especially important to watch out for this if you lost a lot of blood during childbirth. Signs of iron deficiency include feeling weak, extreme fatigue and hair loss (especially if you’re still breastfeeding, as this could indicate a deficiency). With a newborn, it can be hard to tell whether you’re extremely tired, so consult your doctor if you’re unsure. They may decide to do a blood test. Hair loss after pregnancy usually starts around four months after giving birth.

What can you do about hair loss after pregnancy?

Hormones are powerful substances that stimulate or slow down bodily processes. That’s a good thing, because they helped you bring a new person into the world! So it’s difficult to prevent the effects of hormones, such as temporary hair loss, but you can give your body a helping hand. You can do the following to lose as little hair as possible:

1) Healthy diet

Of course, eating healthily is always a good idea, especially while your body is recovering from childbirth. But your diet can also affect your hair: it contains vitamins and minerals that your hair needs to stay healthy and strong. These include iron, biotin, vitamin E, selenium and zinc. You can get these by eating vegetables, dairy products, nuts and fish. In our blog about important vitamins and minerals for preventing hair loss, you can read all about this topic.

2) Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, a mineral your body -and your hair- needs plenty of after childbirth. Vitamin C also supports your immune system and helps combat fatigue. A win-win!

3) Protein

Protein is an important component of your hair, so you need to get enough protein to keep it healthy. It’s especially recommended to make sure you get enough protein if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet.

4) Supplement

You can take a supplement to complement a healthy diet. Choose one that’s rich in vitamins C, B6 and B12, folic acid and iron.

5) Hair care

Blow-drying, straightening, curling and coloring: try to cut back on these or avoid them temporarily, as they can worsen hair loss. A healthy scalp with strong hair is less likely to shed than damaged or weakened hair. Nourish your hair with a rich conditioner or hair mask, for example, and let it air-dry.

6) Haircut

Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn take a lot out of your body. If your hair is thinning, it could be a sign that your body needs the vitamins and minerals for more important things. In that case, a shorter style is an option: shorter hair needs fewer nutrients, plus you’ll get a little time to yourself.

7) Don’t worry

Yes, we know: not worrying sounds almost impossible when you’re responsible for a baby, but try to avoid stressful situations and not to worry unnecessarily. The only thing that will accomplish is that your hair loss may get worse.

How can you get enough vitamins and minerals?

If you eat healthily, you’ll get enough vitamins and minerals, but that’s easier said than done - especially if you’ve just become a mother. A supplement is an easy way to make sure you get important nutrients that support your recovery and help reduce hair loss, such as selenium and zinc. Yummygums Hair & Beauty can help. This Dutch brand makes vegan vitamin gummies with a delicious raspberry flavor.

Why is taking vitamins internally more effective than using them externally?

Some cosmetic products contain vitamins or minerals, but your skin’s natural protective barrier means that only a very small percentage is absorbed. So if you want to limit hair loss, getting vitamins and minerals through your diet or a supplement is not only more practical but also more effective. This way, they can nourish your hair from within.

What effect do hair vitamins have on hair loss?

Hair vitamins are vitamins and minerals that support hair growth and help prevent your hair from breaking or falling out so easily. Taking hair vitamins works better than using hair care products with added hair vitamins, because the dose in the product is often too low to have a visible effect and because the product is only in contact with your hair and scalp for a short time. We recommend discussing supplement use with your doctor or specialist. Also read our blog about which 7 vitamins/minerals are important for healthy hair. If you’re unsure, you can also contact our Beautycare team.

Who is Yummygums Hair & Beauty suitable for?

Yummygums Hair & Beauty is suitable for anyone who wants stronger, shinier and faster-growing hair, and anyone who wants to reduce hair loss. The vegan gummy is a treat packed with vitamins and minerals, with shiny locks as an added bonus. Yummygums Hair & Beauty is completely free from artificial colors and flavors, artificial preservatives, gluten, soy, titanium dioxide and other allergens. This helps you build a healthy habit that’s easy to add to your daily routine and hard to forget, because this little treat is one you won’t want to miss!

Is Yummygums Hair & Beauty also suitable for pregnant women?

The recommended daily amount (RDA) of folic acid for adults is 300 micrograms. However, women trying to conceive, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are advised to take 400 micrograms daily. A daily serving (2 gummies) contains 270 micrograms, so Yummygums Hair & Beauty can be used during pregnancy, provided you also take an additional folic acid supplement. Make sure the total amount of folic acid does not exceed the RDA. Ask your doctor which supplements are best for you.

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What effects can you expect from Yummygums Hair & Beauty?

You’ll usually notice the first results on your nails after one month of use, while the effects on your hair become visible after three months. If you take two gummies daily, you can expect less hair loss and beautiful, healthy, better-growing hair. The unique combination of vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, folic acid, selenium and bamboo extract, supports hair growth and keeps your hair strong and shiny. Vitamin E and zinc help strengthen hair roots and maintain a healthy scalp, helping to prevent hair loss. They also stimulate keratin production, which contributes to full, shiny hair.

Order hair vitamins from JohnBeerens.com?

Good hair care starts from within. At JohnBeerens.com, you can buy a range of hair vitamins from well-known brands such as Yummygums, Oase, Hairfinity and Sugarbearhair. Wondering which one is right for you? Ask one of our beauty care team members for advice or leave a comment below.