A doctor’s tips to help with that postpartum hair loss struggle

Aisling Keenan

If any group of people know the stress that can come from sudden (and often dramatic) hair loss, it’s new mothers.

When my daughter was born, my hair was the best it had ever been – glossy, thick, healthy and shiny. What happens during pregnancy is that you have increased levels of Estrogen and androgen, which promote shinier, healthier-looking hair. Then comes the loss, unfortunately.

While it doesn’t effect every single postpartum person, it did have a massive impact on my hair. I was losing it in wefts, every single day, from about five months post-delivery onwards. It has only really settled down now, back to my hair’s status quo, and my daughter is two.

I would’ve loved these tips back then – they come from Dr Marc Ronert who is the expert behind Hush & Hush, a health supplement brand. Dr Ronert, a European board-certified plastic surgeon, skin care and anti-aging expert Dr. Marc Ronert, wanted to create a supplement line that was clean, clinical and steeped in proven science, allowing you to feel good about what you’re ingesting knowing that it’s safe, effective and substantiated. Here are his tips to help with postpartum hair loss:

Nourish from within

“Diet and poor nutrition play a significant role in hair loss. Fueling your body with the nutrients it needs is vital to maintaining healthy hair. Foods high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants support healthy hair growth, preventing hair loss.”

Take supplements

“Supplements that focus on maintaining healthy hair contain botanicals, vitamins and other ingredients to help normalise growth patterns, decrease oil production and inflammation.

“Hush & Hush DeeplyRooted has clinically-studied ingredients specifically formulated to defend against hair loss by strengthening weak hair by nourishing the follicle, creating thicker, shinier, longer hair.”

Scalp care

“Scalp massages and gentle exfoliating treatments enhance overall scalp health and circulation, supporting healthy hair growth.”

Manage stress

“Chronic stress can contribute to hair loss. Engaging in stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can promote overall well-being and healthy hair.”

Sleep

“Swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk one. The silk fibres will work wonders to support your hair while you sleep, as they are less likely to snag strands or absorb moisture. They’ll also leave your hair looking less frizzy in the morning. This simple change can result in less split ends, dryness, brittle texture, and breakage.”

Environmental damages

“Shielding hair from UV rays, pollution, and harsh weather conditions is just as important as protecting your skin. Just like SPF for the skin, using hair products with UV-protection, as well as, wearing hats outdoors can lead to less damage overall.”

Overprocessing/heat

“Frequent treatments like perms, relaxers, and dyes can weaken the hair shaft and lead to hair loss. Additionally, excessive use of heat styling tools like straighteners, curlers, and blow dryers can damage hair and lead to breakage.”

Styling

“Avoiding tight hairstyles that strain hair follicles, leading to traction alopecia, and opting for looser styles helps prevent hair loss. While hair extensions add to the appearance of longer, fuller hair, the effects may actually cause the opposite.”

Check in with a professional

“Due to potential hereditary factors, scheduling regular visits with hair specialists or dermatologists allows monitoring of hair health and prompt addressing of any concerns for better outcomes. Early detection of hair issues can lead to better outcomes.”