Postpartum Hair Loss: When It Starts, How Long It Lasts, and What Actually Helps

The brush comes away with a tangled mass. The shower drain clogs every other day, and there are strands on the pillow that you would swear were never there before. Sound familiar?

If you recently had a baby, here is the short version: in most cases this is temporary excessive shedding, not permanent baldness. It has a name, a typical timeline and no instant off switch. Knowing what is expected, and what is not, makes the next few months easier to navigate.

Postpartum shedding is one of the concerns we often hear about in trichology consultations. Most women regain their usual fullness without treatment, although another cause of hair loss can sometimes appear at the same time.

Why Does Hair Fall Out After Childbirth? The Science in 3 Minutes

Pregnancy does not invent a new process. It stretches one that runs on your head all the time. Every hair moves through three phases:

On a healthy scalp, most hairs are in the growth phase and a smaller proportion are resting. Individual hairs enter the cycle at different times, so normal shedding is usually spread out. The familiar estimate of 50 to 100 hairs a day is only a rough guide and varies with washing and brushing habits.

What Does Pregnancy Change?

During pregnancy, higher oestrogen levels keep a greater proportion of hairs in the growth phase, so fewer are shed than usual.

That is why many women describe their pregnancy hair as fuller. After delivery, hormone levels change and more hairs enter the resting phase around the same time.

And Then Comes Childbirth...

After delivery, oestrogen levels fall. More hairs then move from the growth phase into the resting phase and are shed several weeks later.

That is postpartum telogen effluvium. The shedding is diffuse, meaning it occurs across the scalp rather than in one sharply defined patch.

How Long Does It Last? A Realistic Timeline

This is the question I hear most often, and I understand why. When you see fistfuls of hair on your brush, you need to know it will end.

Here is the usual timeline. Individual patterns vary:

But Be Aware: It Does Not End the Same Way for Everyone

In some women the shedding does not stop inside the usual six to twelve month window and turns chronic. That is more likely when something else is running alongside it:

• Anemia (iron deficiency after childbirth)
• A thyroid disorder, including postpartum thyroiditis
• Severe stress and sleep deprivation (every new mum knows this scenario)
• Restrictive diets aimed at rapid post-pregnancy weight loss
• Another hair-loss disorder that becomes visible at the same time

If your hair has not regained its usual fullness by your child's first birthday, or the pattern is patchy rather than diffuse, see a dermatologist. A medical assessment can distinguish postpartum shedding from iron deficiency, thyroid disease, androgenetic alopecia and other causes.

How Much Daily Hair Loss Is "Normal"?

The familiar figure of 50 to 100 hairs a day is only a broad estimate. What you see on a brush or in the shower depends on hair length, washing frequency, styling and how closely you look. Counting hairs at home does not reliably diagnose telogen effluvium.

A clinician may use a standardized pull test as one part of an examination, but the result must be interpreted with the pattern, timing, scalp findings and medical history. Repeatedly pulling or counting your own hair usually adds anxiety without answering the cause.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Postpartum shedding is usually temporary. These warning signs point to a need for medical assessment:

• Shedding lasts longer than 12 months after delivery
• You see thinning patches or bald spots rather than even, all-over thinning
• Your scalp is red, flaky or itchy
• Shedding started during pregnancy instead of after delivery
• Fatigue, weight gain and dry skin come with it (may indicate thyroid issues)

What Does the Science Say? Clinical Studies

Postpartum shedding is well documented in the medical literature, and the research is more useful when you know which parts of it are solid and which are not. Here are the key studies:

Study 1: The Scale of the Problem

Published estimates vary because studies define and measure shedding differently. The useful point is not one percentage: postpartum shedding is common, but not every new mother experiences it in the same way.

Study 2: The Role of Iron

The data on ferritin is less clear-cut than it is usually presented. Kantor et al. (2003) measured mean ferritin levels: in androgenetic alopecia (37.3 ng/ml) and alopecia areata (24.9 ng/ml) they were significantly lower than in women without hair loss (59.5 ng/ml), but in telogen effluvium, the postpartum mechanism, the difference was not statistically significant. A later study of 457 women found no higher rate of iron deficiency in patients with hair loss than in controls. Ferritin is still worth testing, because iron deficiency after delivery is common and needs treating in its own right, but a single number does not explain the whole shed.

What the Evidence Does Not Show

Growth factors, lactoferrin and vesicle-based delivery systems are studied in laboratory and preclinical research. That does not establish that a topical cosmetic containing them shortens postpartum telogen effluvium. Supportive scalp care may improve comfort and hair appearance, but it should not be presented as a proven way to reset the postpartum hair cycle.

What Actually Helps? An Evidence-Based Approach

Most "miracle hair supplements" are not supported by good evidence. A few practical measures are worth your time.

1. Nutrition: The Foundation of Recovery

Hair is built from raw material you have to eat. There are no shortcuts here.

2. Scalp Care, Not Hair Care!

Conditioners and masks can reduce tangling and breakage along the lengths, but they do not switch off hormone-related postpartum shedding. Scalp care should focus on comfort and avoiding irritation.

Postpartum shedding begins in the hair cycle, not because the scalp is dirty or failing to feed the follicle. Keep the routine simple and avoid adding irritation or mechanical breakage:

• Gentle massage: optional for comfort. One very small study in nine men reported a change in hair thickness after standardized massage, but it did not study postpartum shedding and does not prove that massage speeds regrowth.

• Scalp exfoliation: not routinely necessary. Avoid scrubs on irritated or inflamed skin, and treat dandruff with an appropriate medicated shampoo rather than abrasive exfoliation.

• A cosmetic scalp serum: optional supportive care. Choose it for tolerability and realistic claims, not as a substitute for diagnosis or a guaranteed way to change the hair cycle.

3. Liposomal Technology: Why the Delivery Method Matters

The skin barrier limits the passage of many substances. Formulation therefore affects where an ingredient is deposited and how stable it remains.

Liposomes are microscopic lipid vesicles used as delivery systems. Laboratory and preclinical studies suggest they can change the delivery of some ingredients, but the result depends on the vesicle, ingredient and finished formula.

This makes liposomes a formulation feature worth understanding, not proof that a product will shorten postpartum shedding.

4. Bovine Colostrum: What It Contains and What Remains Unproven

Bovine colostrum contains proteins and signalling molecules studied in several biological contexts, including:

• IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor), which take part in cell signalling
• Lactoferrin, a protein with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions
• Immunoglobulins and other proteins

What to Avoid? 5 Mistakes That Worsen Shedding

Here are five common mistakes that can add irritation, breakage or unnecessary worry:

Mistake 1: Panic and Over-Intervention

You see clumps of hair and immediately buy 5 different products, supplements and oils. The scalp ends up overloaded and irritated, and the money went on things that work against each other. Less is more.

Mistake 2: Restrictive Dieting

Wanting your pre-pregnancy shape back is understandable. A drastic caloric deficit is still the worst thing you can do for your hair, because a body in survival mode cuts the supply to hair follicles first.

Mistake 3: Tight Hairstyles

Ponytails, buns, braids. I know that with a baby in your arms convenience wins. But tight hairstyles cause traction alopecia, hair loss from constant pulling, which lands on top of the hormonal shedding and can do lasting damage to the follicle.

Mistake 4: Hot Water and Harsh Shampoos

Very hot water can dry or irritate the scalp, but it does not open pores or weaken follicles. Use comfortably lukewarm water and a shampoo your scalp tolerates. Sulfate-free is an option, not a requirement for everyone.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the Problem

The opposite reflex is dismissing every pattern as "normal." Typical postpartum shedding often resolves without treatment, but bald patches, scalp inflammation, systemic symptoms or failure to regain fullness by the child's first birthday should not be ignored. Those signs need medical assessment.

Your Postpartum Routine, Step by Step

Here is a routine you can actually keep with a newborn in your arms. I know time is the one thing you do not have.

Every Day, If Helpful

1. Handle the hair gently: avoid tight styles and aggressive brushing. A light fingertip massage is optional if it feels comfortable.

2. Optional cosmetic serum: apply it only as directed and stop if it causes irritation. It can support scalp comfort, but it has not been shown to stop postpartum shedding.

Every 2-3 Days (when washing)

3. A well-tolerated shampoo: use lukewarm water and wash once thoroughly. Repeat only when there is substantial product or oil buildup.

4. Optional scalp mask: use it at the frequency and for the contact time stated on the label.

When Needed

5. Treat flaking appropriately: persistent dandruff is better managed with a proven medicated shampoo or a dermatologist's advice than with routine exfoliation.

When to Seek Professional Assessment

See a dermatologist or speak with your doctor when:

• Shedding lasts longer than 12 months after delivery
• You notice bald patches (not even thinning)
• Your scalp is red, flaky, or painful
• You have symptoms suggesting thyroid problems (fatigue, weight fluctuations, dry skin)
• Shedding is so intense that it affects your mental wellbeing

What Can You Expect at the Visit?

A trichologist may document the pattern and scalp condition, while a dermatologist can make a medical diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Depending on the setting, an assessment may include:

1. Trichoscopy: magnified imaging that can document hair-shaft variation, follicular openings and visible scalp features.

2. Pull test: a standardized hair-pull test in different regions of the head.

3. Medical history: detailed questions about pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding, diet, medications, stress and family history.

4. Next-step plan: monitoring, gentle care, medical tests or referral, depending on the findings and professional scope.

Summary: 7 Key Facts

1. Postpartum shedding is common. Estimates vary, and you are not alone.
2. Peak shedding occurs 3-6 months after delivery. Then it subsides.
3. Typical postpartum shedding does not destroy the follicles. Most women regain their usual fullness.
4. Ask a doctor whether testing is appropriate. Iron or thyroid problems can coexist with postpartum shedding.
5. Diet is the foundation. Do not crash-diet after delivery.
6. Focus on the scalp, not the hair, because that is where the follicle sits and where the key to recovery lies.
7. No cosmetic has been shown to cut recovery time in half. Supportive care should be presented without that promise.

The calculator below is an educational aid, not a diagnostic test or a prediction of individual recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does postpartum hair loss really last?

Shedding often peaks around four months after delivery and then gradually subsides. Most women regain their normal fullness by their child's first birthday. If you do not, or the pattern is patchy, see a dermatologist because another cause may be present.

Is breastfeeding making my hair loss worse?

Breastfeeding is not considered the primary cause of postpartum telogen effluvium, and weaning is not a hair-loss treatment. Nutritional needs can be higher while breastfeeding, so discuss restrictive diets, symptoms of deficiency or supplements with a doctor or dietitian rather than assuming breastfeeding itself is damaging your hair.

Can I use a scalp serum while breastfeeding?

Do not rely on a blanket assurance for every serum. Check the exact ingredient list, directions and manufacturer guidance, and ask a doctor or pharmacist when safety data are unclear. This is especially important for medicated products. Minoxidil should be discussed with a doctor during breastfeeding rather than started on your own.

Will my hair grow back the same as before?

Most women regain their usual fullness, but the visible length takes longer to return because scalp hair grows gradually. Texture can also feel different after pregnancy. If fullness has not returned by the child's first birthday, a dermatologist can check whether postpartum shedding has unmasked another condition.

When should I worry that this is NOT postpartum hair loss?

Postpartum shedding is usually diffuse, painless and time-limited. Seek medical assessment for bald patches or a sharply patterned loss, widespread breakage, an itchy, painful or inflamed scalp, systemic symptoms, or failure to regain normal fullness by the child's first birthday. A trichologist may document the visible pattern, but a dermatologist makes the medical diagnosis.

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References

This article is based on dermatology guidance and peer-reviewed publications:

1. American Academy of Dermatology Association, Hair loss in new moms: aad.org
2. Malkud S., Telogen Effluvium: A Review, 2015: PMC
3. Asghar et al., Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature, 2020: PMC
4. Investigation of exacerbating factors for postpartum hair loss, 2023: PMC
5. Postpartum telogen effluvium unmasking additional latent hair loss disorders, 2024: PMC
6. Koyama et al., Standardized scalp massage results in increased hair thickness, 2016: PMC
7. Kantor J. et al. (2003): Decreased serum ferritin is associated with alopecia in women. J Invest Dermatol. DOI
8. Olsen E.A. et al. (2010): Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups. J Am Acad Dermatol. DOI
9. Touitou E. et al. (2000): Ethosomes, novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery. J Control Release. DOI

Related reading: Does stress cause hair loss?, How to wash your hair properly and Liposomes in hair care.