Something many of you may not know about pregnancy, is that postpartum hair loss is absolutely normal, and many women experience this after giving birth.
This particular type of hair loss comes after pregnancy, and is caused by lowered oestrogen levels.
Increased shedding of hair can begin 1-4 weeks after birth and last for several months. This loss is most often associated with a change in the hormonal background, and can also increase under the influence of stress, and by a decrease in the level of protein in blood plasma, due to blood loss experienced through giving birth.
For the same reason, hair loss can begin after long term use of hormonal contraceptives, or in girls aged 16-20 years, when the body begins to actively develop androgens.
Hormones are pesky eh!
What is important to remember here though is that it is a TEMPORARY condition, and will usually begin to get better within a year, we promise. The reason we say 'up to a year' is that this differ's from person to person due to how log it takes our bodies to recover after childbirth. Patience with yourself is massively needed here.
Pregnancy hormones can affect your body in several different ways.
You may have noted that your hair became thicker when you were pregnant? The hormone called oestrogen, was responsible for this, making your hair grow faster and less likely to fall out during this time, compared to how it normally would.
However, after giving birth to your little one, you may be finding now that all that extra hair you gained during your pregnancy, has now started to become loose and shedding.
These reasons we have stated above are why you are experiencing this postpartum hair loss in these first few months after your pregnancy.
Basically, the extra hair that you grew (the hair that didn’t fall out) during your pregnancy, is now due to fall out.
So although it may seem like hair ‘loss’, this is actually just things returning back to they were before you were pregnant, just in a bit of a harsh way - Mother Nature, eh!
These same pregnancy hormones may also mean that you find your hair is oilier or drier than usual, or you may even see a slightly different colour or texture in your hair during pregnancy, and afterwards.
We know this can cause a lot of you to become very self conscious and stressed about the hair loss you are experiencing, but please do not worry, we are here to help you get through this stage!
So, How?
There are a few ways to improve the appearance of your hair, and we will be going through these with you in this blog.
The Use Of Volumising & Thickening Shampoo’s
We recommend x2 shampoo’s from our Davines range, and have listed them below.: £14
Davines Volu Shampoo.
Why?
This shampoo is enriched with active ingredients, such as turnip root extract which will protect the structure of your hair whilst promoting a healthy bounce & volume.
It is an ultra gentle, non-stripping clarifying shampoo, so will cleanse the scalp of dulling dead cells and impurities, whilst dissolving product build up to leave the hair weightless, therefore free to reach its potential with a lasting boost of body & volume.
Bonus: This shampoo can be used everyday due to its very mild formula, without compromising your hair’s health.
How to use: Gently massage a small amount into the scalp, leave for 2/3 mins, rinse & repeat. We recommend following up with a lightweight conditioner afterwards to protect the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.
Cost: £14
Davines Naturaltech Energising Shampoo.
Why?
This shampoo is a
hair loss treatment which is designed to manage fall out.
This range is designed to target specifically hair & scalp concerns and is a professional grade formula.
It is enriched with a signature hair energy complex & caffeine phytoceuticals to stimulate cellular metabolism in the scalp, breathing life back in to lacklustre locks. This formula gently cleanses and revitalises the scalp, whilst hydrating hair, stimulating hair growth and strengthening existing hair strands to prevent breakage.
How to use: Gently massage into damp hair, leave on for 2-3 minutes then rinse, and repeat application. We recommend following up with using a lightweight conditioner afterwards to protect the mid-length's & ends of your hair.
Cost: £20 - We order this specialist product upon request, so let us know a week in advance of your appointment for it to be ready for you to collect.
It is recommended to team this shampoo up with its other buddies in this range:
Intensive treatment: every other day for 1 month.
Maintenance treatment: 2 times a week for 2 months.
Alternate with Renewing Shampoo.
You can always ask us about the these at your next visit with us at HQ.
The Use Of Lightweight Conditioner.
We have recommended the below to accompany either of the above shampoo’s due to their super lightweight formulas, but without compromising that extra protection needed for the mid-length’s and ends of your hair.
Davines DeDe Conditioner
Why?
It has a light and moisturising formulation that is designed to untangle hair, making it soft and light, without weighing it down. Ideal for fragile hair, medium fine hair, fine hair, and for those who are needing to frequently shampoo due to its restorative minerals.
The active ingredient in this conditioner is Orbassano Red Celery extract, rich in mineral salts, which is a source of fortifying sodium, potassium & calcium, and has a re-mineralising effect on the hair.
This delivers intense, non-suffocating nourishment, to help tease the tangles and amplify shine while providing protection from daily aggressors.
Bonus: Although it feels wonderfully rich in your hands, it will strengthen your hair without squashing its volume.
How to use: After rinsing out your shampoo, apply a small amount of this conditioner to your mid-lengths and ends. Comb through and leave on 5-10 mins, then rinse thoroughly.
Cost: £20
Regular Hair Cutting.
Yep, believe it or not, visiting us for a regular trim will keep those ends looking full and healthy. We recommend every 5-8weeks depending on your hair length to keep it looking at it's fullest.
When you are postpartum shedding, it leaves an unbalanced thickness behind, making the hair appear more whispy throughout the ends - sound familiar?
By keeping on top of the ends being trimmed bluntly, it will give your hair a fuller look, and feel.
If you are experiencing a heavy amount of shedding we may advise you of a change of length or style to help you keep your hair looking its fullest whilst going through this turbulent phase.
Note - We will only ever advise you and not bully! We are here to help you. There is always more than one way to make your hair look better so please don’t worry about what we might say. We don't judge in any way, and we are familiar with seeing all kinds of hair loss. Something as simple as even giving you a different way to wear your hair, rather than changing the style, can drastically improve your confidence whilst you wait out this short period of time.
The Use Of Volumising Styling Products
We can give the illusion of volume by dressing our hair with products!
Depending on your preference, your hair length, and style, there are many we could recommend to you here, but we’ll save that for your next visit with your Quirker!
Below we have listed our favourite’s for instant cosmetic volume.
Davines Volu Hair Mist
This is a leave-in primer containing the same active ingredients as its shampoo buddy above, and is for all hair types requiring a boost of volume. It volumises the hair by giving support to the base. It does not weigh down the hair at all, and leaves the hair soft and shiny without any stiff or sticky residue being left behind.
How to use: Apply to towel dried hair after washing your hair, and do not rinse off. Spray the product to the roots, by applying in small horizontal sections, then comb the hair to transfer a small amount of product onto the lengths and ends, then it blow-dry time.
Tip: To increase volume, spray the product also on to your mid-lengths and ends. Apply approximately 15 sprays of product to medium length hair.
Cost: £27.50
Davines Volume Boosting Mousse
Now, say what you will about mousse, but this has been completely regenerated and not like the ones of the past!
The Davines Volume Boosting Mousse has a snow-like texture that is compact and light to the touch. It will provide a medium hold to any hair type and gives body, volume and has an extraordinary conditioning effect!
It manages to tick all of the boxes for us, by delivering an ultra lightweight hold, whilst still giving that promised long lasting hold.
How to use: Apply to towel-dried hair, by applying to the roots first, in horizontal sections, and then through to the mid -lengths & ends. Proceed with the desired styling.
Tip: This products can also be applied to dry hair through the mid-lengths and ends as a moisturising finishing product - great for those of you with curly / wavy or coarse hair.
Cost: £20.00
Davines Invisible Dry Shampoo
This is great for giving a little pop of volume for the day’s in-between your shampoo routine. This cleansing dry shampoo spray refreshes and cleans hair without the use of water.
This is the perfect dry shampoo for volume as it absorbs excess oil, immediately giving body to the hair so that looks full and airy, without the harsh chemicals!
Its secret? It contains rice starch which helps absorb excess sebum, without leaving a residue on the hair.
How to use: Shake well and spray directly on to the roots from about 20cm, in small amounts. Leave the product to sit for about 1 minute, then massage into scalp with fingers and then brush.
Tip: Boost hair volume by blow-drying over it on a cold temperature.
Cost: £23.00
The Use Of Vitamins
Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A and B, can contribute to healthy hair growth, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of these as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Tip: Make sure you are getting enough vitamin C too, this helps your body to retain the other vitamins!
Ask your doctor or a dietician if you aren’t sure that you are getting all the vitamins that you need, they may be able to recommend specific foods for you to add to your diet specifically.
Certain vitamins and minerals can actually make hair loss worse if you take too much of them. After all, we are all different aren't we.
Please do not start taking any supplements for postpartum hair loss without asking your doctor first.
That’s All Folk’s
We hope you managed to find some comfort in our tips & advice today in our blog.
Try to keep in mind that being pregnant and giving birth are both pretty hard work, and it can take some time for your body to recover. Although it may seem as if there’s a never-ending list of the ways your body is changing, know that you are not alone.
Above everything, please try to be patient. You have so much on right now that your main focus needs to be your health, after all, your hair will always grow.
We can always spruce you up with some pampering once you get a second to yourself, or maybe a sneaky visit during their nap time?!
Give us a call if you would like us to advise you of a quieter day, or time of day, for you and the mini to visit HQ if you are worried about it being too busy for you both.
See You Soon!
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