Hair loss during pregnancy: why does it happen and when does it stop?

Hair growth is cyclical, meaning that different phases follow one another throughout the hair cycle. During the so-called anagen, or growth, phase, the hair shafts grow actively; this is followed by the catagen, or transitional, phase, and then the telogen, or resting, phase. At the very end of the hair cycle, the hair strands no longer receive nutrients, as a result of which they eventually fall out. This is a completely natural process, which is concluded by the arrival of a new hair strand and the recommencement of the hair cycle.

During pregnancy, many women experience thicker, stronger hair, which is due to changes in the hair cycle triggered by hormonal processes. Thanks to elevated levels of the hormone oestrogen, the anagen phase of the hair cycle is prolonged, meaning fewer hairs fall out during pregnancy, which results in the sensation of a fuller, stronger head of hair.

Hormones play an important role in the hair cycle and healthy hair growth, and the significant fluctuations in progesterone and oestrogen levels during pregnancy can also affect the health of the hair. Although not all women experience this, it is mainly after pregnancy and following childbirth that hormonal changes trigger significant hair loss. Fortunately, however, pregnancy-related hair loss is typically temporary and often stops a few months after childbirth, when normal hair growth resumes.

Pregnancy-related hair loss is a relatively rare occurrence, which may be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so it may be worth seeking expert advice in such cases. Hair loss may also be linked to other pregnancy-related health issues; for example, stopping the contraceptive pill, a miscarriage or an abortion can all trigger more severe hair loss than is normal.

The most common type of pregnancy-related hair loss is known as telogen effluvium, which results in significant hair loss due to a disruption in the hair growth cycle. Whilst in healthy hair growth, approximately 90% of hair strands are in the growth phase and 10% are in the transitional or resting phase, in the case of telogen effluvium this balance is completely disrupted, with the proportion of hair in the telogen phase potentially exceeding 60%. Telogen effluvium is not uncommon, as it affects approximately 40–50% of pregnant women following childbirth.

This condition is usually triggered by the return to normal levels of oestrogen, which had risen during pregnancy; however, stress and the use of certain medicines may also play a part in the onset of telogen effluvium. Although this type of hair loss is usually only a temporary condition, the noticeable thinning of the hair on the crown of the head, as well as changes in hair texture and thinning, can be unpleasant and worrying.

A balanced diet, exercise and stress management can go a long way towards helping new mums’ hair to recover as quickly as possible. Increased hair loss usually occurs a few weeks after giving birth and begins to subside around the third or fourth month after the baby’s birth, when the hair follicles start to regenerate. It takes around 12 months for the normal hair growth cycle to return to normal, but this can vary from person to person; it may take even longer to regain the hair’s former beauty.

There are certain ways in which we can improve the condition of hair that has thinned following pregnancy: alongside a diet rich in vitamins, avoiding tight hairstyles and heat-styling tools can help restore the hair’s volume as quickly as possible. However, there are cases where hair loss becomes noticeable and distressing; therefore, if you experience extreme or prolonged hair loss, it is worth consulting a specialist not only to restore the beauty of your hair but also to ensure its health.

Denza laser hair treatment effectively resolves the problem of postnatal telogen effluvium, as it restores the hair’s life cycle, thereby also stopping hair loss. The fractional laser radiation used during Denza treatments promotes anagen hair growth, helping to bring hair follicles into the growth phase and keep them there for a long time.

By restoring healthy hair growth, the problem of hair loss is resolved. What’s more, Denza laser hair treatment has been proven to increase the number of hairs and their thickness, so not only can you get rid of telogen effluvium, but you can also regain the best version of your pre-pregnancy hair.