It is common to experience hair loss after pregnancy, although it can be alarming. During pregnancy, many women have a full head of shiny, strong hair thanks to the hormonal changes, but after giving birth, it can suddenly feel like your hair is falling out more than usual. Here we explain why this happens and what you can do to manage hair loss after pregnancy.
Why do you lose hair after pregnancy?
Losing hair after pregnancy is natural, and is usually due to hormonal changes that occur as the body returns to its normal state after childbirth. Here are some common causes:
Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, levels of oestrogen (female sex hormone) are higher than normal, causing hair to grow faster and fewer hairs to fall out. After giving birth, estrogen levels drop rapidly, which can cause hair to enter a resting phase (telogen) and start falling out in larger amounts than usual. This is a natural part of the recovery from pregnancy and is usually temporary.
Stress and lack of sleep
Adjusting to life with a newborn can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Prolonged stress and lack of sleep affect both your body and your hair, resulting in hair loss. Both emotional and physical stress after childbirth affect your hair, especially if you feel you are not getting enough sleep.
Diet and nutritional deficiencies
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is important that your body receives the right nutrition to support both you and your baby. Not getting enough vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, biotin or vitamin D, can contribute to increased hair loss. A balanced diet is essential for the health of both you and your hair. You can read more about the importance of nutrition in our article here.
What can you do about it?
There are several things you can do to manage post-pregnancy hair loss and give your hair the care it needs to recover:
Milder hair care
Switch to a shampoo and conditioner that is gentle on your hair and moisturizing. Avoid products that contain harsh chemicals, sulphates or alcohol, as these can dry out your hair and weaken it. Instead, opt for products that strengthen hair and nourish both hair and scalp.
Massage for the scalp
Give yourself a light scalp massage every time you shampoo your hair. A scalp massage stimulates blood circulation, which can promote hair growth and help hair recover faster.
Stress management and relaxation
It’s easy to feel stressed after having a baby, but taking time to relax is important for both your health and that of your hair. Try classic relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises to reduce stress. And make sure to take breaks and get as much sleep as possible – it’s good for both your body and your hair. You can read more about stress and hair here.
Be careful with heating tools
Avoid using straighteners, curling irons or other heating tools too often, as heat can make hair brittle and more prone to breakage. Let your hair dry naturally occasionally, or use low temperatures if you must use heating tools.
When should you seek help?
If you notice that your hair loss continues for longer periods or if you have other symptoms that worry you, you may want to seek help. Sometimes hair loss after pregnancy can be a sign of other health problems that may need to be treated.
But hair loss after pregnancy is common and usually temporary. By understanding the hormonal changes and taking care of both your hair and your body with the right nutrition, rest and care, you can help your hair recover faster. Remember to be kind to yourself during this period – your hair will feel better over time!
It is common for women to lose hair after pregnancy. But don’t worry, there are solutions. Find out more about how you can grow thicker hair as a woman or read about how silicon improves hair health.

Hairforce – A powerful dietary supplement to support hair health after pregnancy
If you are struggling with post-pregnancy hair loss or want to give your hair extra nourishment to recover, Hairforce can be a great addition to your daily routine. Hairforce is a dietary supplement specially designed to support your hair (including skin and nails) from several angles at once and by replenishing nutrients that are particularly depleted during pregnancy. With a carefully formulated blend of essential vitamins and minerals, such as biotin, zinc, MSM and rosemary, Hairforce helps to strengthen hair, reduce hair loss and promote healthy hair growth from within.
Poorer hair quality after pregnancy is one of the most common problems we hear about! And one that is relatively easy to remedy. Hairforce tends to work very well – for many women, Hairforce has proven to be an effective tool to strengthen and regain healthy hair, especially after pregnancy.
Talk to your hairdresser – Hairforce is available at many hairdressers. You can also buy it directly from us in our shop. So if you want to give your hair extra support during the post-pregnancy recovery period, Hairforce could be the help you need. Give your hair the nourishment it deserves and notice the difference in both health and hair growth.