Post-Natal & Temporary Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common experience for women after childbirth, as hormones and stress affect the hair growth cycles. Thankfully, postpartum hair loss is extremely normal and often temporary. Still, it can be extremely distressing to see your hair shed in clumps, and there is a small chance that permanent hair loss may develop.

Temporary hair loss can also occur after a stressful event, triggered by shock and trauma. Stress hair loss usually presents itself in the form of excessive hair shedding or diffuse thinning hair over the scalp.

Postpartum and temporary hair loss are both temporary conditions, and can be treated non-invasively without resorting to a hair transplant. For those with postpartum hair loss, it is recommended to start as early as 1-2 months after pregnancy. 

What causes temporary hair loss? 

It is normal to shed 50 – 100 strands of hair a day and the life cycle of each strand of hair usually lasts 3 – 5 years. A healthy hair cycle is typically broken down into 4 stages;  

• Anagen: Growing phase where your hair follicles continue to grow until they’re cut or until they reach the end of their lifespan.
• Catagen: Hair starts to grow slower (transition phase).
• Telogen: Hair doesn’t grow or fall out for about 3 months (resting phase).
• Exogen: Hair drops and usually prepares for a new hair to replace it (shedding phase).

If you are losing more hair than usual or experience visible thinning, especially in recent months, you are likely experiencing temporary hair loss.

How is temporary hair loss and postpartum hair loss treated at Veritas? 

While temporary hair loss is a normal side effect from stress or hormonal changes, there are ways to encourage hair growth and reverse excessive hair loss and thinning non-invasively, including methods that are safe during breast-feeding.