Natural Ways To Treat Postpartum Hair Loss
So, it happened. The dreaded postpartum hair loss. Luckily, you’re not alone. Up to half--yes, you read that correctly--half of women experience postpartum hair loss. So if you just had a brand new bundle of joy, you might as well flip a coin to find out whether or not you get to keep your hair. How cruel is that? After 9 months of prenatal vitamins, your hair is probably the best it’s ever been, and now it’s under threat. Why?
To make a long story short: hormones. Normally, we lose hair and skin all the time. We shed little bits and pieces in such small amounts that we don’t typically notice. That is, until we clean our shower drains. During pregnancy, however, your hair holds on a little tighter. The rate at which your hair sheds and falls out slows down, thanks to increased amounts of estrogen in your body. While this paired with prenatal vitamins and an overall healthier diet can have our locks looking absolutely lucious during pregnancy, that quickly changes as soon as we give birth. When estrogen levels drop, it’s as if our hair has to make up for lost time. So all of the hair that didn’t shed, decides to come out all at once. This can start happening anytime after baby arrives, but typically begins around the 2-month postpartum mark, and peaks between 4 and 6 months. Luckily, this isn’t permanent. Most women see their hair return to its original thickness and sheen by their child’s 1st birthday.
In the meantime, though, what can we do? Pamper our hair with the same tenderness as our newborn baby--with natural products. There are several natural treatments for postpartum hair loss, so luckily there’s something we can do to cope in that first year:
1. Caffeine
I know your ears perked up at this one. Easy ladies -- this doesn’t mean that having an extra latte every week is going to fix your hair. However, caffeine-infused hair products might be a step in the right direction.
According to one study published in 2007, caffeine added to hair helps the “stimulation of hair follicle growth” and helps the hair grow thicker roots. Although there are several hair products out there that contain caffeine, you can also make a mixture of your own--like a coffee masque. Caffeine: a new mom’s best friend and a natural treatment for postpartum hair loss.
2. Vitamins
It doesn’t get much more natural than vitamins, which is why they’re one of our top picks when it comes to natural treatments for postpartum hair loss. If you haven’t already been recommended postnatal vitamins, consider this your recommendation.
Most new mothers have already been told by their doctor and/or friends to continue taking prenatal vitamins after birth, and this is great advice. So what’s the difference between postnatal vitamins and prenatal vitamins? Postnatal vitamins help with milk production and are specifically made with newborns in mind. So if you’re already stocked up on prenatal vitamins, there’s no need to run out and buy another bottle until after you run out. If you feel like you need some extra support with your milk supply, try our Mother’s Milk Tea.
Some of the vitamins known to help promote hair growth are Vitamins A, E, C, D, B12, and Biotin. Most, if not all of these are already in your prenatal vitamin. If you’re not sure whether or not your vitamins contain biotin, check the label! This vitamin is especially important in the growth and maintenance of healthy hair, skin, and nails. If you’re looking for a natural treatment for postpartum hair loss, then look no further than your vitamin cabinet!
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a top ingredient to look for in a good anti-breakage shampoo or conditioner, and it’s one of our favorite natural treatments for postpartum hair loss. This oil, which can be found at almost any grocery store, can actually slow down hair loss by penetrating the hair shaft and halting protein loss. Basically, coconut oil is a powerhouse when it comes to hair, and a great treatment for postpartum hair loss.
More famously, coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties, which makes it an even better option for treating postpartum hair loss. Keeping your hair moisturized prevents tangles, which prevents breakage, which prevents. . . you guessed it! Hair loss.
To make a quick, moisturizing coconut oil masque at home: microwave about ¼ to ½ cup of coconut oil for about 30 seconds or until melted completely. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, so you will be unable to apply it to your hair unless it’s heated. Luckily, the warmth allows the oil to penetrate deeper into each strand of hair, making coconut oil the perfect moisturizing solution. Once the coconut oil is melted, apply the oil to damp hair and cover from roots to ends. If your hair or scalp is naturally oily, you may want to skip the scalp and only soak the lower parts of your hair. Leave this masque on for at least 10 minutes, but you can leave it on for hours if you are able to. Coconut oil may leave your hair greasy until the next shampoo, but your hair will be thanking you for all of the moisture it’s soaking up during that time.
4. Flax Seed Oil
Another oil that’s great for hair loss and breakage is flax seed oil. This natural treatment for postpartum hair loss can also be found at grocery stores, though it might be more concentrated at natural or health food stores than larger chains. Flax seed oil is full of Vitamin E (one of those wonderful vitamins we talked about earlier!) which is notorious for preventing flaking, breakage, and even stimulating new hair growth. Talk about a triple threat!
To use flax seed oil on your hair, you’ll simply shampoo first, then use flax seed oil as a preconditioning rinse. Apply it to your scalp, roots, mids, and ends, and leave on for around 15 minutes. After you’ve let it sit, you'll want to rinse your hair out and follow up with your normal conditioning routine.
To enjoy the benefits of flax seed even when you’re not washing your hair, you can add flax seeds into your favorite smoothie mix or your daily bowl of oatmeal. Flax seed is an amazing superfood with plenty of benefits - including being a wonderful and natural treatment for postpartum hair loss.
5. Castor Oil
Castor oil is an age-old remedy long used in traditional medicine. It’s rich in ricin oleic acid and omega-6-fatty acids that promote hair growth. When applied to the scalp, it's purported to enhance the health of the hair follicles and, in turn, promote hair growth as well as protect against hair loss.
Once a week, massage a mixture of warm castor oil and almond oil on the scalp. Castor oil can also be mixed with coconut oil for similar results.
What Not To Use
So now that we’ve discussed some of the best natural treatments for postpartum hair loss, it’s time to cover some of the no-no’s: parabens and sulfates. You might have noticed already that CODDLE products boast about our paraben and sulfate-free products--and for good reason. These harsh chemicals are bad for your hair, skin, and overall health even when you’re at your best. So truly, these are the last things you want in or around your body when you’re recovering from pregnancy, birth, and all of the hormonal changes that go with it. Not to mention the lack of sleep you’re getting during your postpartum times!
It’s important to practice self-care after having a baby, and our beauty routines are no different. Say no to chemicals, ladies! So, what’s so bad about these two ingredients?
Parabens:
Parabens are synthetic (aka not natural) chemicals commonly used as a preservative in beauty products and even foods. When it comes to hair products, the risks definitely outweigh the benefits. Luckily, the industry is waking up to this and using other methods to maintain product freshness. Parabens, when used in shampoos and conditioners, can dry out our scalp, cause irritation, and prematurely fade any salon or at-home hair coloring. By drying out the scalp, parabens leave your hair open to breakage, splitting, and hair loss--definitely not something you want to risk if you're already experiencing postpartum hair issues. Skip the harsh preservatives and look for products that say “paraben-free” on the label. If it doesn’t say it on the front of the bottle, chances are it’s not.
Sulfates:
Sulfates are another no-no to look out for in your hair products if you’re suffering from postpartum hair loss. Sulfates are harsh detergents that cause dryness, redness, and you guessed it--hair breakage. Once again, if it doesn’t say “sulfate-free” on the label, don’t buy it. When you’re already suffering from postpartum hair loss or other postpartum hair issues, the last thing you want is a chemical detergent making everything worse.
During the months prior to birth, your hair can be as fragile and sensitive as a newborn baby. And while you might not be able to literally hear your hair follicles crying, you can trust us when we say that harsh chemicals are not your hair’s friend right now.
Sticking to safe, clean, and natural products and treatments for your postpartum hair loss is your best bet to keeping your hair as strong and healthy as possible. So mamas: take your vitamins, oil up those strands, do all of those natural leave-in treatments, and take as much time for self-care as possible. Both you--and your hair--deserve it.
