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My hair is falling out after giving birth. How long does it last, and can I do anything?
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The answerDuring pregnancy the female hormone oestrogen keeps hairs in place that would normally have fallen out. When hormone levels drop sharply after the birth, those hairs enter the resting phase all at once and fall out together 2–4 months later. Losing 100–300 hairs a day for about six months is not unusual, but the follicles themselves are not damaged, so in most cases the hair regrows and returns to its former thickness by 6 months to a year after the birth. No special medical care is needed: ① nutrition (protein, iron, zinc — easy to run short of while breastfeeding), ② sleep (as far as possible), ③ keep the scalp clean and avoid tight hairstyles, ④ a hair-growth tonic (育毛剤, ikumōzai) of quasi-drug grade (a Japanese category between cosmetics and medicines) may be used but is not essential. If the hair has not returned after a year, if the scalp shows through, or if it falls out in round patches, have a dermatology clinic (covered by Japanese health insurance) check for other causes (thyroid, iron deficiency, alopecia areata).
From about 2–4 months after the birth, hair comes out in clumps every time you wash it. Most mothers experience this "postpartum hair loss" (産後の抜け毛, medically postpartum telogen effluvium). It is frightening to watch, but it is a normal physiological event, and in most cases the hair returns on its own within six months to a year. This article explains what is happening and what to do if it worries you.
How postpartum hair loss unfolds
| Stage | What is happening |
|---|
| During pregnancy | Oestrogen is high and growing hairs stay put instead of shedding. Many women feel their hair got thicker and shinier |
| Right after the birth | Hormones fall sharply and the retained hairs enter the resting phase together |
| 2–4 months after the birth | Peak shedding. Hairs that entered the resting phase fall out (the resting phase of the hair cycle lasts about 3 months). 100–300 hairs a day, two to three times the usual |
| 6 months to 1 year after | New hair grows in; short flyaway hairs (アホ毛, ahoge) stand out at the hairline. Thickness begins to return |
| 1 to 1.5 years | Most people are back to normal. Getting the lengths to match takes longer still |
- How many women are affected: noticeable hair loss is generally described as affecting 40–50% or more of women after childbirth, and counting milder degrees almost everyone experiences it to some degree. Some find it stronger after a second or later birth.
- The follicles are fine: postpartum shedding is a "telogen effluvium", not the scarring type that destroys the follicle. That is why the hair grows back.
- What you can do: get protein (1–1.2 g per kg of body weight), iron (easily short while breastfeeding; if you are anaemic, a gynaecology or general-medicine clinic can prescribe iron), zinc and B vitamins from food. Extreme dieting while breastfeeding prolongs the shedding. Sleep is hard to come by, but lie down even in snatches. Keep the scalp clean (sebum, sweat), wash gently and dry straight away. Hairstyle: avoid tight ties and tying in the same spot every day (traction alopecia). Changing your parting, cutting a fringe or going shorter makes the short new hairs at the hairline less noticeable.
- Hair tonics and regrowth medicines: many quasi-drug hair-growth tonics (approved claims "promotes hair growth", "prevents hair loss") can be used while breastfeeding, but they are not essential. Minoxidil (a Category 1 OTC medicine, sold only with a pharmacist's explanation; 発毛剤, hatsumōzai) — the package insert says to avoid it while breastfeeding. Supplements are unnecessary if your diet covers the basics.
- Colouring and perms: no effect on postpartum shedding itself, but the scalp may be more sensitive than usual, so go carefully. No effect on breastfeeding is generally described.
- When to see a doctor: no recovery 1 to 1.5 years after the birth, scalp visible through the hair, round bald patches (alopecia areata), eyebrows and body hair also falling out, tiredness, swelling or weight change (thyroid), dizziness or palpitations (iron-deficiency anaemia). Go to a dermatology clinic. Postpartum thyroid dysfunction (postpartum thyroiditis) is generally described as occurring in 5–10% of women and can lie behind hair loss.
- For partners and family: hearing "it's all right, it will come back" is a real comfort to the person going through it. Share the job of cleaning up the fallen hair.
[Verify] Check the proportion of women affected by postpartum hair loss and the frequency of postpartum thyroiditis against obstetric and dermatological literature. Check the breastfeeding caution for minoxidil against the package insert.
Misunderstanding 1｜Postpartum hair loss means I am going bald
The follicles are intact and in most cases the hair regrows within six months to a year. It is a normal physiological event and medical care is not usually needed.
Misunderstanding 2｜Hair comes out in the shower, so wash less often
The hairs that fall have already entered the resting phase and will fall whether you wash or not. Keeping the scalp clean does more for the new hair.
Misunderstanding 3｜It will not grow back without a hair tonic
It grows back without one. If you want to use something, choose a quasi-drug tonic; avoid minoxidil while breastfeeding.
Misunderstanding 4｜I want to diet hard to get my figure back
Extreme food restriction while breastfeeding prolongs the shedding and affects your milk. Put protein and iron first.
Misunderstanding 5｜If it has not come back after a year, that is just how I am
No recovery at 1 to 1.5 years may point to a thyroid problem, iron deficiency or alopecia areata. Have a dermatology clinic check.
---
Sources
- Japanese Dermatological Association, "Dermatology Q&A: hair loss (telogen effluvium, postpartum hair loss)" [皮膚科Q&A：脱毛症（休止期脱毛・分娩後脱毛）]
https://www.dermatol.or.jp/qa/
- Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Changes in the body after childbirth: hair loss and thyroid" [産後の体の変化：脱毛・甲状腺]
https://www.jsog.or.jp/citizen/
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), "Topical minoxidil package insert (use while breastfeeding)" [ミノキシジル外用薬 添付文書（授乳中の使用について）]
https://www.pmda.go.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
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