Hair Loss in Pregnancy

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Hair Loss in Pregnancy
Many women lose hair during and after pregnancy.

Hair loss can happen though at any stage in your life and can be down to numerous factors; from bad diet, stress, genetic disposition, as a result of heated styling products and hair extensions or through a deeper-rooted illness.

Expectant or new mothers are often worried about their thinning hair. Below is some information on the common causes of hair loss in general and some reassuring advice for women suffering from hair problems before, during or after the birth.

Hair loss during and after pregnancy

Pregnancy affects the entire body, including hair, skin and nails. Often, there are undesirable changes that can leave a pregnant woman worried or frightened. However, hair loss in particular is very common after pregnancy and should not cause undue concern.

Hair loss can also occur after you stop taking the contraceptive pill or any other form of hormonal birth control system. It may also occur from the stress of having a miscarriage Pregnancy is generally regarded as one of the most common causes of hair thinning and hair loss. If you experience severe hair loss during pregnancy, go to your doctor or a qualified Trichologist at once for consultation.

Can I Colour My Hair In Pregnancy ?

Investigations are ongoing but so far it's accepted that the risk of a foetus being contaminated by the chemical in hair dye is negligible. However it's a good idea to always ask the stylist to perform a patch test on you before colouring your hair, as the body does react differently when pregnant. It's also better to be safe than sorry and if in doubt have highlights so that no colour touches the scalp.

Pregnancy Hair Loss - Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium (T/E) in pregnant women
Woman with Hair Loss
Telogen Effluvium is the medical term for excessive shedding and is a very common hair disorder. It can be a very quick onset which lasts only a few months or can be a slower onset over years which is hardly noticeable at first, but over years the thinning just becomes worse and worse until the person has lost over 30% of the hair!

With Telogen Effluvium, the anagen (growing) phase of the hair shortens causing an excessive amount of telogen hairs (dead hairs) to shed prematurely. This results in lots more hair coming out at once which causes your hair to lose volume and become fine and frizzy. Even though the hair follicles are still producing hair, the cycle is shortened and so it is 'volume' that you lose. It may reassure you to discover that you never go bald from this disorder although I appreciate that it is little consolation if your hair has become very thin to the point of 'feeling' bald. Yes, hair loss is distressing but in many cases it is quite rectifiable.

If you have Telogen Effluvium, you'll notice a thinning of hair on the scalp, and little 'broken' hairs around the fringe and poking out around the parting. Sound familiar? Chronic Telogen effluvium is a problem which usually carries on indefinitely until the problem is rectified so it is important to seek help as soon as possible. For acute sufferers, shedding is short-lived but very stressful.

Hair
Pregnant Woman with Hair Loss
Loss Treatments After Pregnancy

Treatment for Telogen effluvium during / after pregnancy
For Acute Telogen Effluvium the disorder will simply rectify itself after 6 months or so. After this period, the shedding will slow and the hair will gradually get back to normal. If your condition is chronic the underlying condition must be corrected and visiting a trichologist is imperative.

Remember! Women who suffer from telogen effluvium do not go bald!! Your hair will reach a certain stage in its thinning but then will stay at that level; a person does not lose all their hair from this problem because the hair is always being replaced.

What to do if you're suffering from hair loss?

Anyone worried about hair loss of any sort should seek the help of a qualified Trichologist. The Institute of Trichologists is a professional body that lists trichologists available.

by
Iain Sallis
August 2011
Iain Sallis M.I.T is a consultant Trichologist for several private hospitals throughout the UK. He's been studying trichology since 1999 and now operates the largest group of trichology clinics in the UK.

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