Top 12 Home Remedies To Treat Postpartum Hair Fall

During pregnancy, you might have experienced a wow feeling about your thick and lustrous hair, but once your baby is born – your hair suddenly starts falling with increased speed – giving you a feeling of – poof! Apart from feeding and cleaning the baby, the continuous hair fall after delivery is most likely to keep you worried. Stop worrying. There are several home remedies to treat hair fall after delivery.

After a baby is born, a major setback for many women is regarding the way they look and feel and hair fall after delivery bothers almost every new mother. However, there is no need to worry, you are definitely not going to get bald, it’s just a temporary phase and this time also, we can put the absolute blame on hormones present inside our body. Read on to find out the home remedies to treat postpartum hair fall.

In This Article

• What Causes Postnatal Hair Loss?
• How Long Does Postpartum Hair Fall Occur?
• 12 Home Remedies to Treat Postpartum Hair Fall
• Alarming Signs of Hair Fall after Delivery
• FAQ’s

What Causes Postnatal Hair Loss?

So, why does hair fall after delivery? Normally we lose at least 70-100 hair per day. However, the increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy halts this process and most of our hair goes into the resting phase of the hair cycle. Therefore, instead of falling, our hair stays on our heads and we get the most desirable volume. Increasing levels of hormones during pregnancy cause your hair to be in a resting phase called telogen, for a longer period.

This, it brings hair fall to its minimum during pregnancy, which makes your hair look dense and thick. This usually occurs after five to six weeks and ends in about six to eight months. Many women notice hair fall after delivery in the first month, while some others say it starts about 3 months after the baby’s birth.

Some think that there is a relationship between breastfeeding and postpartum hair fall.  However, hair fall after delivery is a complete hormonal thing and will subside by itself, but still, you can prevent post-pregnancy hair fall to some extent by using some simple tips stated below. This is because the hormones start getting settled to their pre-pregnancy stage.

How Long Does Postpartum Hair Fall Occur?

The duration for which postpartum hair fall occurs differs from person to person. But postpartum hair loss usually won’t last more than 3 months. You can expect your pre-pregnancy hair to come back within 6-8 months.

Alarming Signs of Hair Fall After Delivery

A woman may lose up to 500 hair per day after pregnancy. You should start noticing usual hair growth between 6-12 months after your delivery. If hair fall continues with the same intensity till your baby becomes one year old, speak to your doctor about it. You may have some kind of deficiency which is common for all new moms.

Lastly, taking too much stress may wash off all your efforts to keep your hair healthy. If you have long hair and you are not able to manage these along with the baby, get a haircut and keep them short for some time (after all you always have an option to grow them back!). Relax and enjoy motherhood!

12 Home Remedies to Treat Postpartum Hair Fall

When your baby is born, estrogen levels also start declining and all the hair, which was in the resting phase, starts falling out. There is not much that can be done to stop hair loss after delivery. Generally, the hair comes back to its pre-pregnancy state after 6-8 months of the baby’s birth. But your hair texture might change after pregnancy temporarily or even permanently. It can be extra oily or very dry, limp, or broken.

Many women wonder how to control hair fall after delivery. Here are some effective home remedies which help in keeping your hair healthy, and promote hair growth. These out-of-the-kitchen remedies also help in minimizing hair fall after pregnancy and damage caused due to pregnancy:

1. Treat Deficiency

It is always better to start with the root cause of excessive hair fall. Postnatal vitamin intake is as important as prenatal vitamins. If you are low on iron, zinc, or any other essential nutrients, which can be identified after consulting with your doctor, you should focus on your diet. Along with the supplements prescribed by the doctor, add natural sources of iron, zinc, and vitamins to your diet. Eat food items that are rich in Vitamin C and B complex to stop hair fall. These vitamins can be found in legumes, peas, green leafy vegetables, oranges, yeast, sprouts, curd, buttermilk, soya, whole grains, and nuts. Consuming these on a regular basis will help in the reduction of hair fall.

2. Egg Whit

Make a hair pack by blending one egg white and two tablespoon olive oil well. Apply it on your hair for around 30 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm or cold water.

3. Fenugreek(मेथी) Seeds for Postpartum Hair Fall

This common, small, and easily available herb can do wonders for your hair. Soak fenugreek seeds in water at night. Apply the strained water on the scalp the next day and leave it for 1-2 hours. Fenugreek seeds extract makes your hair healthy and also treats dandruff if any. Repeat the process once or twice a week for early results. You can also make a paste of roasted methi (मेथी) and then apply them on your scalp or you can add them to your oil while you are heating it to a lukewarm level. It has been known to cure hair fall in an effective way.

4. Avoid Colors, Styling Tools

Avoid using heating tools for styling your hair. Frequent coloring might add more problems to hair. Let them dry naturally, do not use a blow dryer for drying hair too often. This weakens the roots of the hair. Never comb wet hair. If you want to do it, use a wide-toothed comb for wet hair to avoid hair fall. Gels or sprays are absolutely not recommendable for those who suffer from hair loss problems.

5. Amla(आंवला) or Indian Gooseberry

Amla has been used for so many years for nourishing the hair. It is a powerful tonic that can be added directly to your diet in the form of juice or you can boil them with oil till they turn black and afterwards can massage the hair with the same oil.

6. Curd for Postpartum Hair Fall

Curd is an excellent tonic that can help you in arresting the excessive hair fall and will simultaneously improve the quality of hair as well. It is also known as one of the best conditioners for hair. Apply the paste of curd on the scalp and leave it for 10 mins. You can even add yogurt to your diet to enhance the nutritional value of your diet.

7. Massage Techniques

How to take care of hair fall after delivery? Regular massage of your scalp will increase blood circulation, reduce hair fall after delivery, and will also promote hair growth. You can use lukewarm oil for gently massaging your scalp for at least 5-10 mins in a day and if, in case you don’t prefer oil, then just massage your hair with the tips of your fingers. Massaging will also leave you relaxed and calm. Adopt the correct technique to oil massage and shampoo your hair.

8. Choosing the Right Shampoo

Biotin is known to be good for hair growth. Try choosing a shampoo that contains biotin.

9. Coconut for Postpartum Hair Fall

You can use coconut in many forms to arrest hair fall. The use of coconut milk on the scalp can reduce your hair fall. Also, you can burn the hard shell of coconut to ashes, preserve these in a jar and then add these ashes every time to the oil before massaging it on your scalp. Regular use can check hair fall and can even make them darker, shinier, and full of volume.

10. Medicated Oil for Postpartum Hair Fall

Massaging hair using medicated oils like Mahabhringraj oil, Arnica oil, or Amla oil at night regularly can be highly beneficial for hair growth. Rosemary oil is recommended for hair as it helps to supply oxygen to hair follicles, which are responsible for hair growth.

11. Dry Fruits and Flax Seeds for Postpartum Hair Fall

Add flax seeds to your regular diet. These are rich in omega-3 and fats. Eating plenty of dry fruits and taking more water throughout the day also lead to good hair.

12. Herbal Help Through “Bhringraj”(भृंगराज) Paste

If possible, take some fresh leaves of plant Bhringraj(भृंगराज) plant and let them dry in shade. Afterwards, grind it into powder and start taking approximately 2-3gm of powder either with honey or milk twice a day. You can also make a paste from fresh leaves and apply it directly to the scalp. If in case you don’t have any access to the plant, then try the tablets and powders available in the market. Bhringraj (भृंगराज) plant is known as “keshraj”(केशराज) due to its wondrous benefits on hair.

After childbirth, it takes some time to form a schedule for yourself and get back to normal life due to which often your hair gets neglected and ends up in a very bad shape. So, the first step towards hair fall prevention should actually be keeping them clean. Wash them gently but with a good shampoo and please don’t tie them when they are wet. We understand that you are busy, but if you can’t do much, at least try to keep them untied till they are fully dry.

FAQ’s

1. How to Control Hair Fall After Delivery?

Ensure you eat a well-balanced meal and your diet contains all the essential nutrients. Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories and requires more nutrients than usual. Form a diet plan accordingly.

2. How to Stop Hair Fall After Delivery?

Sadly, this cannot be done 100%. One cannot prevent hair fall after delivery since it is hormonal. It will subside on its own. Pregnant or not, you will always lose hair on a daily basis.

3. How to Reduce Hair Fall After Delivery?

Postpartum women feel the need to look good since they start fading into the background after the arrival of the baby. Limit chemical and hot tools used to protect your hair and control the hair fall after delivery. You can also make use of the home remedies given above to treat hair fall.

4. Can I Continue my Prenatal Vitamins to Control Post Partum Hair Fall?

Yes, you can. Most doctors advise continuing prenatal vitamins for 3 months after delivery. Do consult your doctor on this.

5. Can I Take Medications for Hair Fall After Delivery?

Check with your doctor first. When you are breastfeeding, medicines may not be safe. Also, let your dermatologist know you are breastfeeding.

6. Can Hair Massages Help With Hair Fall?

Yes, to a certain extent. Post-partum hair fall is unavoidable. The hair fall will subside over time.

7. Can Flax Seeds Help Reduce Post Partum Hair Fall?

Yes, they can. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They are good for lactation too.

Most moms suffer from postpartum hair fall. There is nothing new or unnatural about it. Follow these simple home remedies and a healthy nutritious diet. Also, give it some time, your hair will be back to its glory.