5 Tips for Postpartum Hair Loss
My hair finally feels like its self Again!
After pregnancy your body is on a hormonal roller coster where any and everything can change from day to day. My hair was flourishing when I was pregnant. It was healthy, thick and long. I had the pregnancy glow from head to toe. After I had my son, I just knew my hair would continue to do what it was doing and I thought I was one of the lucky ones who escaped the dreaded postpartum hair loss I had been hearing so much about.
He had just turned 3 months old when it happened. I was taking a long shower washing and deep conditioning my hair. As I combed through and rinsed my hair I noticed it was falling out by the handful in clumps. All I could do was cry. By 4 months I was afraid…yes afraid, to wash my hair for fear of how much would fall out of my head. My edges were gone and my hair was so thin and brittle I didn’t know what to do. I reached out to my incredible peeps on Instagram (@dalijahamelia) for any kind of help! One thing I love about the Mama Community is how supportive it is! I learned so much and gained a lot of advice and tips from everyone who answered. (Most of you said #6 was the true answer but the other 5 have definitely helped me get my edges back and cut back the shedding.
Castor Oil
I am the castor oil queen. My hair loves this stuff. I am very consistent with massaging it into my scalp 2-3 times a week. I have heard mixing it with coconut oil is helpful for a lot but my hair and body are not big coconut oil fans. If you are experiencing postpartum hair loss, it doesn’t hurt to try coconut oil as well!
Deep Condition Weekly
By deep conditioning with heat weekly, it enables the hair cuticle to open for an extended period, allowing the deep conditioner or hair mask to penetrate the hair shaft and nourish it from the inside out. I love using my Hot Head weekly to deep condition my hair for an hour once a week. Check out my go to Deep conditioners Here!
Stay Hydrated
We know water helps EVERYTHING but yet we still hate being told to drink it. I made sure to drink my 4 jars of water daily out of my big mason jars to keep my hair and skin hydrated.
Prenatal/postnatal vitamins
I have continued to take vitamins to make sure my body is getting what it needs daily. Prenatal vitamins helped my hair during pregnancy so I figured they couldn’t hurt postpartum.
Protective styles
From the day my son was born in June-February, I have worn my hair down and out 3 times. The best way for your hair to grow is to stay out of it! Combing, Brushing and styling your hair several times a week exposes your hair to more breakage and chances of damage every time you touch it. Whether it was a low bun or French twist, I would wash and deep condition my hair and put it in a protective style for 1-2 weeks. I have been heat free for 3 years and would not dare of putting heat in my hair in such a fragile state.
Bonus- Patiences! It takes TIME!
I didn’t want to face the truth but the vast majority of Mama’s told me patiences and time were the only things to help my hair grow back. You couldn’t be more correct. Time Time Time! Eventually your locks will be back to normal and postpartum hair loss will be a thing of the past!
Thanks for reading fam!