Women, it’s always been said, are more open than men when it comes to discussing health matters. Is that really the case, though? Recently, there’s been a slew of articles and TV programmes in which women have revealed that they were unprepared for menopause because they’d never been told exactly what symptoms to expect. It’s the same with postpartum hair loss. Actress Jessica Alba, who shot to fame in the noughties as the star of TV’s Dark Angel, is the latest celebrity to reveal that she had no idea that hair loss was a possibility after childbirth because no one had warned her.
Scroll down to discover more of what the actress said about the issue and to learn about some of the treatments for postpartum hair loss!
Honesty
Alba spoke with disarming honesty about the hair issues she experienced following the birth of her children. “I struggled with hair loss after I had my kids,” she told her interviewer. “It’s something that no one told me and people don’t really speak about.” Alba also pointed out that postpartum hair loss strikes at a particularly vulnerable time in a woman’s life. Coping with all the life changes that a new baby brings is tough enough; doing so when your hair is falling out is an added challenge.
The reasons why women have been reluctant to discuss their postpartum hair loss are unclear. Thankfully, that perception is changing as more women speak out about their struggles. This is leading to a better understanding of the causes of the condition.
Causes
Postpartum hair shedding is due to a combination of hormone changes and stress. During pregnancy, the usual rate of hair loss slows because of the high levels of oestrogen present in the woman’s body. After the baby arrives, these levels decline and hair shedding resumes. The fact that it has been in ‘pause’ mode can make its return seem excessive.
What is more significant is that many women develop telogen effluvium, a form of hair shedding brought on by stress, trauma or illness. Pregnancy, childbirth and the demands of caring for an infant tick enough of those boxes to push hair from the anagen or growth stages of the growth cycle into the telogen or shedding phase. Shedding usually takes place a few months after childbirth.
Lifestyle Changes
The only good news about postpartum hair loss is that it is temporary. By the time you celebrate your baby’s first birthday, your hair should have grown back. What can you do to hurry things along and make sure your hair comes back thicker and stronger? Some simple lifestyle changes can help.
Diet is important, for example. Your food should contain plenty of vitamins, iron and protein. You can also make adjustments to your haircare routine. Start by using a volumising shampoo and cut back on your use of heat styling tools. Finding ways to lower your stress levels is also key.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment (PRP)
There are other ways of boosting hair regrowth, PRP being one. The treatment involves using a centrifuge to separate the platelets and plasma in a sample of the client’s blood. This produces a solution of concentrated plasma which is then injected directly into the scalp to stimulate hair growth. The stem cells in the solution move dormant and inactive follicles into the growth stage of the hair cycle. The solution also improves blood flow to the scalp, meaning that nutrients essential for hair growth can be delivered to the follicles more effectively. Studies have confirmed that PRP is both effective and safe.
Mesotherapy
The same is true of mesotherapy. It is a treatment that has been used for cosmetic purposes for many years but more recently has been deployed in the battle against hair loss. As with PRP, mesotherapy involves injections directly into the area of the head showing hair loss. The injected solution contains vitamins, DHT blockers and minerals.
Care should be taken in choosing your mesotherapy solution. The generic form used in aesthetic treatments is not as effective as solutions such as Vinci Hair Clinic Alomesa® which have been formulated by hair restoration experts to treat hair loss specifically.
Final Thoughts
Postpartum hair loss can be distressing. That distress is multiplied if it comes as a complete surprise. Being aware that hair loss after childbirth is a strong possibility at least removes the element of shock from proceedings. Knowing that there are treatments available that can help speed up hair regrowth is also a great comfort.
If you have concerns about hair loss or thinning, Vinci Hair Clinic can help. We have some of the leading hair restoration experts in the world ready to assist you with any problems. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to all our new clients. All you have to do is get in touch and make an appointment. Do it today!
