Thursday 2 August 2018

How to cope with post baby hair loss



‘I’m not a trichologist, but...’

I’ve been a hairdresser for 24 years and I’ve had three babies, so the subject of post baby hair loss is something I’m familiar with.

Until I had babies myself the worst thing about this process was trying to put foil highlights into all the short little new hairs of my colour clients six months after they’d had a baby! Trust me... not an easy thing to do.

My hair has followed the same pattern each time I have had a baby.
No hair loss at all for the last trimester (bring on the lush and lovely hair!) and then it starts to drop out in handfuls three months after baby is born.
While this can be a little alarming, it’s totally natural and nothing to worry about. It’s just your body getting back to normal (whatever normal is)
By the time my first two babies were four months old my hair was feeling a little thin to say the least. I noticed I had some serious balding in my temple area.

The first time I changed my hair colour from blonde to dark, added a fringe and even had some extra hair added with extensions to give it some more body... slightly extreme measures perhaps but when you’re working in the trade you can make the most of it!
At almost a year after the birth of my first son my hair looked quite strange.  The only way I can describe it is that was like I had two styles going on at once, within my long hair I also had a bob (due to all the new hair growing to about 5-6 inches long by this point).
This was the reason behind another new look and I had my long hair cut to meet the ‘secret bob.’

When I had my second baby I didn’t register these changes as much. I wasn’t as worried about the hair loss as I knew I would probably follow the same pattern as before. Instead, I had fun playing with bleaching my hair and adding different pastel toners, whilst keeping the short fringe as I’d done the time before. Looking like Stephanie from Lazy Town was great to keep the kids entertained too...


And now I’m going through it all again. I’m very happy with my hair currently... the balayage blonde and my loose perm have given me a very easy boho beachy look which requires no styling whatsoever... using the Davines Oi oil and liquid spell work like a constant treatment so I’m keeping my condition at its best.


However for the last two weeks my hair has been coming out in handfuls and my scalp is itching like mad (I’ve checked myself and my kids for lice about five times, it’s not that!)... Again, I know it won’t last forever as it’s part of the hair loss/regrowth process and the NaturalTech calming shampoo and superactive are helping with the itch.
I cannot say that I won’t want to change my style as the months go on... I will use my knowledge of hair and the way my own looks to decide.

If you are experiencing any of the things I’ve been through in the year after having a baby and would like some help and advice- I know a good team who can help.  The team at PS welcome you, even just for a consultation if you want to have a chat about what is possible with your hair, as there is always something that can be done to make you feel fabulous.

It’s taken me twice as long to write this blog as it normally would have. While writing, I have been interrupted many times by my beautiful little girl making her lovely little noises, and smiling like it’s going out of fashion. And I’m delighted to stop writing and play with her.
She reminds me that whatever physical challenges I’m dealing with are worth it!

For every new mummy going through the weirdness of the ‘fallout’ we can console ourselves that we made something awesome!