Everything You Need to Know 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 large clumps of hair every day after being pregnant. Losing that much hair can be quite a shock and may lead to receding hairlines or thinner hair. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to minimize hair loss. In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hair growth, hair loss, hormonal 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, an iron deficiency, or a combination of these factors. Later in this blog, you’ll learn exactly how that works. Hair loss is, to a certain extent, a very normal occurrence, but during this period, your body sheds an extra amount of hair. In some cases, it’s not possible to completely prevent temporary hair loss, but with the right tips, you can reduce hair loss after pregnancy.

How does your hair grow during pregnancy?

All the hairs on your body grow in a cycle. There’s a growth phase, a transitional phase, a resting phase, and a shedding phase. Not all your hairs are in the same phase at the same time, so there are always enough hairs firmly anchored in place. Every day, you lose about 50 to 120 hairs, but new hairs also grow back. When you’re pregnant, your body has a very different hormonal balance. Unlike when you have a regular menstrual cycle, your estrogen levels remain high for an extended period. This causes your hair to remain in the resting phase, so it hardly falls out at all. This is 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 levels change again: your estrogen levels drop. Your hair also slowly but surely returns to its normal state and enters the shedding phase. Now you’re losing hair again, but the extra hair you retained during your pregnancy is also falling out. As a result, more hair is falling out than you’re used to, and—understandably—many women find this alarming. Emotional and physical stress, such as that caused by childbirth, can intensify this reaction. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Don’t worry: this is a sign that your body is shedding the pregnancy hormones. You won’t go bald, and you’ll eventually get your usual head of hair back. This is completely normal, except in cases of bald spots. If you notice bald spots, it’s recommended that you contact your doctor. In other cases, you’ll usually have the same hairstyle you had before you became pregnant within 12 months at the latest.

When do you start experiencing hair loss?

Breastfeeding also has benefits for you: it can help delay the phase when you start losing more hair. This, too, is 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 likely notice that your hair loss begins to increase. Another factor that can contribute to postpartum hair loss is an iron deficiency. Especially if you lost a lot of blood during childbirth, it’s important to pay extra attention to this. Signs of an iron deficiency include feeling weak, extreme fatigue, and hair loss (especially if you’re still breastfeeding, this can indicate a deficiency). With a newborn baby, it can be hard to tell if you’re extremely tired, so if in doubt, consult your doctor. He or she can then perform a blood test if necessary. Postpartum hair loss usually begins about four months after giving birth.

What can you do to prevent hair loss after pregnancy?

Hormones are very powerful substances that either stimulate or inhibit physical processes. Thank goodness for that, because it’s what allowed you to bring a new life into the world! So while it’s hard to prevent the effects of hormones—such as temporary hair loss—you can give your body a little help. Here are some things you can do to minimize hair loss:

1) Healthy eating

Of course, eating healthy is always recommended, 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. Think of iron, biotin, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc. You can get these by eating vegetables, dairy products, nuts, and fish. In our blog post 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 that your body—and your hair—really need after giving birth. Vitamin C also boosts your immune system and helps combat fatigue. It’s a win-win!

3) Proteins

Protein is an important component of your hair, so you need to get enough protein to keep your hair healthy. Especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s highly recommended that you make sure you’re getting enough protein.

4) Supplement

To complement a healthy diet, you can take a supplement. Choose a supplement that is rich in vitamins C, B6, B12, folic acid, and iron.

5) Hair Care

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

6) Haircut

Pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn take a toll on your body. If your hair is getting thinner, this could be a sign that your body needs the vitamins and minerals for more important things. In that case, a shorter hairstyle is an option: shorter hair requires fewer nutrients, plus it gives you some time for yourself.

7) Don't worry

Yes, we know: not worrying sounds pretty impossible when you're responsible for a baby, but try to avoid stressful situations and don't stress out unnecessarily. All that does is make your hair loss worse.

How can you make sure you're getting enough vitamins and minerals?

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

Why is internal use more effective than external use?

Some cosmetic products contain vitamins or minerals, but because of your skin’s natural protective barrier, only a very small percentage is absorbed. So if you want to reduce hair loss, it’s not only more practical but also more effective to get your vitamins and minerals through your diet or a supplement. That way, they can nourish your hair from the inside out.

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. Taking hair vitamins is more effective 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 the hair and scalp for a very short time. We recommend discussing supplement use with your doctor or specialist. Be sure to read our blog about the 7 vitamins and minerals that are important for healthy hair. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Beautycare team.

Who is Yummygums Hair & Beauty suitable for?

Yummygums Hair & Beauty is perfect for anyone who wants stronger, shinier, and faster-growing hair, as well as anyone looking to reduce hair loss. The vegan gummy is a treat packed with vitamins and minerals—and it gives you shiny locks as a bonus. Yummygums Hair & Beauty is completely free of artificial colors and flavors, artificial preservatives, gluten, soy, titanium dioxide, and other allergens. This helps you establish a healthy habit that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine—and one you won’t soon forget, because you won’t want to miss out on this sweet treat!

Is Yummygums Hair & Beauty also suitable for pregnant women?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of folic acid for adults is set at 300 micrograms. However, for women trying to conceive, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women, a daily intake of 400 micrograms is recommended. A daily dose (2 gummies) contains 270 micrograms, so Yummygums Hair & Beauty can be used during pregnancy, provided you’re also taking a separate folic acid supplement. Just make sure the total amount of folic acid doesn’t exceed the RDA. Consult your doctor to determine which supplements are best for you.

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What results can you expect from Yummygums Hair & Beauty?

You’ll usually notice the first results on your nails after one month of use; for your hair, the effects become visible after three months. If you take two gummies daily, you can expect less hair loss and beautiful, healthy hair that grows better. 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 contribute to strong hair roots and a healthy scalp, thereby helping to prevent hair loss. In addition, keratin production is stimulated, which contributes to full, shiny hair.

Want to order hair vitamins from JohnBeerens.com?

Good hair care starts from the inside. At JohnBeerens.com, you can buy a variety of hair vitamins from well-known brands such asYummygums,Oase,Hairfinity, andSugarbearhair. Wondering which one is best for you? Ask one of our beauty care associates for advice or leave a comment below.