When does postpartum hair loss stop?
Usually within a year of the birth. It often starts around 3 months and lasts 3 to 6. But shedding with tiredness can point to low iron or your thyroid.
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When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?
Shedding after a birth can start around 3 months later. NHS dermatology guidance in Scotland puts it at three to four months.
The heavy shedding phase lasts 3 to 6 months. Then new hair starts to grow. An NHS early days guide says it settles over the first year.
- Below 3 months after birthEarly. Shedding often starts around 3 months.
- 3 to just under 9 months after birthCommon time for heavy shedding.
- 9 up to 12 months after birthUsually settling. Regrowth can take many months.
- Above 12 months after birthNot settling? See a GP.
Sources: BAD; NHS Scotland; NHS Norfolk
So if your baby is 4 months old and your brush is full, you’re right on time. If shedding lasts more than 6 months, doctors call it long term.
Note the month it started. It helps your GP if you need to ask later.
Why does hair fall out after pregnancy?
In pregnancy, hormones mean the usual daily hair loss slows right down. After the birth, hormone levels go back to normal. You then shed the hair you held on to.
Think of a queue at a closed till. When it opens, everyone who waited comes through at once.
Normally about 15% of scalp hairs are resting, ready to fall. With this kind of shedding it rises to 30% or more.
| Usual | Postpartum shedding | |
|---|---|---|
| Hairs lost a day | 50 to 100 (NHS), 30 to 150 (BAD) | More than usual. |
| Share of hairs resting, ready to fall | About 15% | 30% or more |
| Where it comes from | All over | All over the scalp, not in patches |
The NHS says it’s common to lose more hair than usual after giving birth. One estimate puts it at one third to one half of women.
For shedding after other triggers, like illness or stress, see our stress hair loss guide.
Postpartum hair loss treatment: what helps?
No medicine speeds it up. Dermatologists say medication does not speed up regrowth, and the hair usually grows back by itself. What you can do is protect the hair you have.
What you can do while you shed
- Brush gently, without pulling or tugging.
- Tie your hair back loosely, not in tight styles.
- Keep hairdryers, straighteners and curlers to a minimum.
- Skip bleaching, relaxing and other harsh chemical treatments for now.
- Eat foods rich in iron and protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Try a volumising shampoo or hair fibres to hide thin areas.
Sources: BAD; NHS Norfolk
Vegan or vegetarian? The BAD says to consider supplements if your diet is restricted.
The NHS warns not to be taken in by wonder products. See what the evidence says on vitamins for hair growth.
Breastfeeding? Dermatologists advise avoiding minoxidil, the hair lotion for thinning. Women should not use finasteride.
More on rosemary oil and minoxidil.
Is it postpartum shedding or something else?
Low iron and thyroid problems can also cause hair loss after a birth. Tiredness alongside the shedding is the clue. On its own, shedding usually comes with no other symptoms.
| What you notice | What it can point to | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Hair loss with tiredness, breathlessness or paler skin | Low iron. Pregnancy and blood loss are common causes. | Ask your GP about a blood test. |
| Low mood, tiredness, feeling cold, dry hair | An underactive thyroid | Ask your GP about a thyroid blood test. |
| Racing heart, weight loss, thinning or patchy hair | An overactive thyroid | Ask your GP about a thyroid blood test. |
| Bald patches | A different type of hair loss | See your GP. |
| Thinning on top, with a wider parting | Female pattern hair loss | See your GP if it doesn’t recover. |
Sources: NHS: iron; NHS: underactive thyroid; NHS: overactive thyroid; NHS Norfolk; BAD
Postpartum thyroiditis, a swing in thyroid levels after a birth, usually shows up in the first six months. The underactive (slow) phase can look like postnatal depression. If your mood is low, speak to your GP or health visitor.
Most women recover fully. See thyroid levels after pregnancy.
Low iron matters for hair too. Shedding can come back if low iron isn’t treated. See our iron deficiency blood test guide.
Postpartum hair regrowth: what to expect
From birth to full hair, step by step
- 1
Pregnancy
Hormones slow your usual daily hair loss.
- 2
Around 3 months
Held-on hair starts to shed, all over your scalp.
- 3
3 to 6 months of shedding
Then new hair starts to grow.
- 4
Many months more
Hair slowly gets back to its usual thickness.
Sources: NHS Norfolk; BAD
Regrowth is slow. It may take many months for your hair to get back to its usual volume.
Sometimes female pattern hair loss starts around the same time as the shedding. The BAD says shedding can lead to an early diagnosis of it. Our hair loss treatment for women guide covers what helps.
When to speak to a GP
A GP may be able to tell the cause by looking at your hair. Book an appointment if:
- You notice bald patches.
- Your shedding does not get better.
- You also feel tired, short of breath or look paler than usual. These can be signs of low iron.
- You have low mood, a racing heart or weight changes. These can be signs of an underactive or overactive thyroid.
- You’re worried, or your hair loss is affecting your wellbeing.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber. If you’re breastfeeding, say so before starting any hair treatment.