Research-backed
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Postpartum hair fall can be stressful for new moms. It’s hard to watch chunks of your hair fall off and clog the shower drain when you’ve been flaunting lustrous locks all throughout your pregnancy. Many moms experience postpartum hair loss 1 to 6 months after giving birth. This can last for about 18 months, however, some women find their hair bouncing back in less time.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
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Hair growth occurs in cycles. While a part of your hair is in the growing phase, the other part is in the resting phase. In due course, the hair in the resting phase falls off and new hair begins to appear. If you’ve wondered why your hair looked amazing during your pregnancy, it’s because most of your hair was in the growing phase. So, as soon as the postpartum period begins and the estrogen levels go back to normal, your hair begins to fall off. This shedding of hair during postpartum is known as telogen effluvium (1).
Excessive shedding can be a cause for concern among new moms. But with the right remedies and a good hair care routine, your hair will be back to normal in no time. Here we list down 5 home remedies for postpartum hair fall:
1. Follow A Healthy Diet
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One thing that most of us overlook after having a baby is eating right. Make sure your diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Your body is still recovering from childbirth, and it needs all the nutrients and minerals it can get.
2. Give Your Hair A Good Massage
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A good hair massage can increase the blood flow to your scalp by opening up the blood vessels. You can use any hair oil of your preference such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or castor oil. Massage your scalp with your fingers and hands by applying slight pressure, rubbing, or kneading. Hair massage also reduces stress and promotes relaxation (2).
3. Use The Right Hair Care Products
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If your hair loss bothers you, you can use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner to help your hair look fuller. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is recommended to avoid using a shampoo that has heavy conditioners. So, if the label mentions “conditioning shampoo”, it’s best to avoid them. When buying conditioners, go for one that is suited for your hair type. Make sure you apply the conditioner only on the ends of your hair and not on the scalp (3).
4. Fenugreek
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Fenugreek is great for treating hair loss (4). Simply soak some fenugreek seeds overnight. Grind and make a paste of these seeds and apply it on your hair focusing more on the roots. Let it rest for about 20 minutes and wash it off. You can also apply the water used for soaking the fenugreek seeds and apply it on your hair and scalp before hair wash.
5. Onion Juice
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Onion juice is an excellent home remedy for hair loss. Applying onion juice on the hair and scalp has known to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. The nutrients and dietary sulfur present in onions minimize thinning and breakage, increase volume and shine and promote hair growth. The antibacterial properties in onions also promote scalp health and fight scalp infections (5).
To prepare onion juice, peel and chop an onion into small pieces. Blend it in a blender and extract the juice using a strainer or cheesecloth. Apply this juice on your scalp and hair roots. You can also add a few drops of olive or almond oil in the mix. Now let it sit for about 20 minutes and wash off using a mild shampoo.
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We know how hard it can be to follow a hair care routine when you get barely enough time to wash your hair. But trying a few of these home remedies can do wonders for your locks. And if you are up for a change, trim your hair to give it a new look and for easy styling. Short hair will add an illusion of volume and will be easier to manage when you are busy taking care of your little one.
Did you find our post helpful? Share it with your friends to let them know how they can take better care of their hair.
You might also want to check out our post on 6 Great Hairstyles For New Moms.
