It is not uncommon for a woman to experience hair loss after the birth of her baby. Postpartum alopecia is marked by hair loss after pregnancy, and is due to the reduction of the female sex hormone, estrogen.
During pregnancy, estrogen levels are at their highest, leading to increased hair growth. After pregnancy, estrogen levels drop, which causes an increase in the male hormone testosterone, resulting in hair loss. Testosterone is produced in the male testes, and in lesser amounts by the female ovaries.
Normally, we shed between fifty to one-hundred hairs per day. Postpartum alopecia most often peaks in approximately four months after giving birth. After about twelve months, normal hair thickness and length returns.
At any point in time, roughly ninety percent of your hair is in a growth phase. The rest of the hair is resting and will then fall out at the end of this phase. When you shed your older hairs, new hair grows and take their place. It is after this resting phase that hair loss occurs.
When your hormone levels are elevated, hair growth is above average and will result in less shedding. Once the delivery has occurred, all the hair that would normally have been shed will tend to fall out in one go. The result will be a head of hair that appears thinner than before.
This is all a very normal occurrence and not much can be done to avoid it. You can take steps to make postpartum alopecia less noticeable. For instance, wearing a shorter hairstyle can help giver a fuller look to the hair.
Securing the hair during sleep, such as a loose ponytail, will reduce the incidence of friction that causes hair loss.
Satin pillows are instrumental in preventing hair loss after pregnancy and at any other time as well, as they help to reduce friction to the hair. In fact, this is what causes hair loss in infants, due to the rubbing of the head while lying in the crib.
You may find hair missing around the back of the baby's head. This is normal and the hair loss is only temporary.
Other causes of hair loss may include:
Stopping birth control pills, miscarriage or stillbirth, abortion, and a hormonal imbalance.
The above causes all have an impact on estrogen levels and it is these estrogen levels which are at the heart of hair loss issues with females.
Managing this condition:
- Eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Avoid using hair products that have harsh chemical ingredients.
- Avoid wearing your hair in any style that pulls tightly at your brow.
- Use shampoos and conditioners that contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, such as biotin to nourish the hair
Even though not much can be done about postpartum alopecia, there are things you can do to minimize the affects of hair loss after pregnancy. Proper hair care will make all the difference in the world.
Article Directory : http://www.articlecube.com
Jared Wright runs the marketing for Clivir.com, a community site offering you free learning resources. Visit the links below to learn more about other female hair loss related issues such as female thinning hair and hair loss in woman.
