Hair changes in pregnancy, and hair loss after birth

Lots of people notice their hair looks thicker in pregnancy, then are alarmed by how much falls out a few months after the birth. It’s very common and it doesn’t last. Here’s what’s happening, when to expect it to settle, and the signs that something else might be going on.

Why hair can get thicker in pregnancy

Hair grows in cycles. At any time, most hairs are growing and some are resting before they fall out. Hormone changes in pregnancy mean you shed a lot less hair than usual, so your hair may seem thicker or fuller.

Some people also notice more hair growing on their face or body in the second half of pregnancy, especially if they have dark hair.

Hair loss after the birth

After your baby is born, your hormone levels change again and the extra hairs you kept in pregnancy move into the shedding phase together. Doctors call this telogen effluvium. It can feel alarming when you see hair in your brush, the shower or on your pillow, but it’s your hair catching up, not going bald.

When it starts: usually 2 to 4 months after the birth.
How long it lasts: the shedding phase can last 3 to 6 months.
When it settles: postpartum hair loss is temporary and the hair grows back in time. Tommy’s says it rarely continues beyond 15 months after birth.

This kind of hair loss thins the hair all over rather than causing bald patches. It usually gets better on its own without treatment, and medicines don’t speed up regrowth. It can take a while longer for long hair to look as full as it did.

Hair loss during pregnancy

Losing more hair than usual while you’re pregnant is less common, and it’s worth looking at other causes:

Low iron. Pregnancy is a very common cause of iron deficiency anaemia. As well as tiredness, shortness of breath and noticeable heartbeats, it can make more hair come out when you brush or wash it.
Thyroid problems. An underactive thyroid can cause dry hair or hair loss, along with tiredness, feeling cold and low mood.
Other triggers. Shedding can follow a few months after a high fever or serious illness, a lot of weight loss, starting a new medicine, or stopping hormonal contraception, such as the pill, before you got pregnant.

Thyroid problems can also start after the birth. Postpartum thyroiditis affects fewer than 1 in 10 pregnancies and normally shows up in the first year after the birth. It often starts with weight loss, anxiety, feeling hot or shaky, then later tiredness, low mood and feeling cold.

Treatments to avoid

Most hair loss treatments aren’t suitable in pregnancy or while breastfeeding:

Minoxidil (for example Regaine) should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Animal studies have shown a risk to the baby at very high doses, and it passes into breast milk.
Finasteride should not be used by women. If you’re pregnant, don’t handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets, for example a partner’s.

Check with a pharmacist before using any hair product that contains a medicine. You can read about hair dye and salon treatments in our guide to hair dye and beauty treatments in pregnancy.

What helps

Be gentle: avoid harsh brushing or combing.
Cut down on heated styling tools, and avoid tight hairstyles that pull.
Avoid harsh chemical hair treatments while your hair recovers.
Eat a balanced diet with enough iron and protein, and keep taking any vitamins your midwife or GP has recommended.
Don’t smoke.

We normally lose 50 to 100 hairs a day without noticing. During shedding it’s more, but it’s temporary.

Questions people ask

Does breastfeeding cause hair loss?

Shedding after birth is linked to the hormone changes that follow childbirth. If you’re breastfeeding, avoid minoxidil, because it passes into breast milk.

Why is my hair falling out 3 months after giving birth?

This is the most common time for shedding to start. It’s usually telogen effluvium, which settles on its own, although it can take many months.

Can vitamins stop postpartum hair loss?

No treatment has been shown to speed up regrowth. A balanced diet with enough iron and protein supports your body’s recovery, and it’s worth checking for low iron if you’re also very tired.

Will my hair go back to how it was?

For most people, yes. Postpartum hair loss is temporary and the hair grows back in time. Tommy’s says it rarely continues beyond 15 months after birth, and it can take longer to regain its full length and thickness.

When to see a GP

You’re still losing a lot of hair more than 6 months after the shedding started, or it isn’t getting better.
You have bald patches, rather than thinning all over.
You’re losing hair while pregnant, or you’re also very tired, breathless, notice your heartbeat, or feel cold or low. These can be signs of low iron or a thyroid problem, which a blood test can check for.
You’re worried, or it’s affecting how you feel about yourself.