Hair Products and Natural Ingredients That Help with Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss is something that people do not talk a lot about, but it affects many women after pregnancy. On top of sleepless nights and adjusting to life with a newborn, hair loss after pregnancy is the last thing new moms want to deal with. The good news is that it is only temporary! There are ways to deal with postpartum hair loss and to promote regrowth quickly and naturally. Here is what you should know regarding postpartum hair loss and how to properly handle it.
What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?
You may have noticed that your hair was shiny and thick while you were expecting your child. Why is that? As estrogen and other hormone levels increase during pregnancy, your normal rate of hair loss slows down considerably. Additionally, increased blood volume brings more oxygen to the skin and scalp, slowing hair loss even more. This explains why your pregnancy locks had you feeling like a hair model!
Unfortunately, after delivery, everything changes again. Hormone levels start to drop back down, triggering your normal cycle of shedding. The difference is that this time, you have way more hair than you did when you started your pregnancy. Your scalp will be making up for lost time by letting all that extra hair go at once. You might notice clumps of hair in the shower when you brush it out or just more shedding in general throughout the day. In fact, some women even experience bald spots when their hair sheds this quickly. The good news is that there are natural hair products and natural treatments that can help you grow your hair back quickly.
Castor Oil
Among other uses, castor oil is known for its amazing ability to help hair grow. It has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that help heal the scalp while also fighting infection. A healthy scalp will result in healthy hair that grows faster and stronger. Castor oil also has proteins, vitamin E, omega-6 fatty acids, and other nourishing ingredients that will help promote successful hair and healthy hair growth. Look for products that contain castor oil or apply high-quality castor oil directly to your scalp for the best results.
Rosemary Oil
Essential rosemary oil is another natural ingredient that helps heal and nourish the scalp. It may also improve circulation to the hair follicles, which can prevent hair loss and help new strands to grow. Products that have rosemary oil in them, such as rosemary shampoo or conditioner, can help clear your scalp and promote hair growth.
Peppermint Oil
This invigorating essential oil stimulates and clarifies the scalp so you can start regrowing hair quickly after your postpartum hair loss. If you massage it into your scalp, it will also increase circulation and create a refreshing tingle that all new moms will appreciate after a long night.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is both hydrating and nourishing, and it smells great too! It is packed with natural fatty acids, vitamins, and nutrients that condition your hair and scalp after just one use. This means you can keep the hair you have by avoiding breakage, which will counter the natural thinning process that happens after pregnancy.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another moisturizing ingredient that can do wonders for your hair. It can calm inflammation on your scalp, hydrate your strands, and protect your hair from damage. All these things will help you get your hair back stronger once it starts to regrow. Look for this ingredient in your natural hair care products if you are trying to bounce back after postpartum hair loss.
Ylang-Ylang Oil
If you are suffering from dry scalp on top of postpartum hair loss, ylang-ylang essential oil is the perfect solution. It will help your scalp produce more sebum to keep those delicate hair follicles hydrated. A dry scalp will lead to dry brittle hair that will break more easily, so hydration is key. Look for shampoo or conditioner with ylang-ylang oil to help reduce breakage.
Clarifying Shampoo
A lot of times, we use so much product in our hair that residue starts to build up on our hair and scalp. As new moms, we may not have as much time to devote to our hair care as we use to. Natural oils can mix with other things like dry shampoo, leave-in conditioner, or hydrating masks and start to weigh hair down, which is a bad thing if you are trying to add volume to your strands. Buildup on the scalp can keep new hairs from growing back quickly. A light clarifying shampoo can help clear up this residue and extra weight.
Scalp Massager
Increasing circulation to your scalp will help invigorate hair follicles and promote more hair growth if done regularly. Choose some essential oils or products that contain natural ingredients and rub them directly into your scalp. Once that is done, you can then use a scalp massager to effectively distribute these nourishing oils and bring more blood flow to the surface. It is also a great way to relax and center yourself, even if it is just for a few minutes.
Caring for Postpartum Hair
Along with nourishing hair products and invigorating essential oils, you may also want to adjust your hair care routine after your delivery. Try to avoid being rough with your hair, especially when you are brushing out your tangles. We all know those strands are going to shed no matter what, but you can avoid making it worse just by being gentler with your hair and scalp. Do not wash your hair more than you need to, always use natural hair products that do not have harsh chemicals, and try not to pull your hair back too tightly. All these things will help you get back on track after those dreaded postpartum months of hair loss.
Silent Naturals offers natural hair care products that are USDA certified organic and designed to get your hair looking and feeling its healthiest. Moms who are a little lost with postpartum hair loss may find that our products can help with some of the issues they are experiencing. The most important thing to remember is to keep your scalp healthy and hydrated. Even though it may take a few weeks, or even months, for some women to get their hair back to where it was before their pregnancy, it can grow back quicker and stronger if you give it a little extra care and patience.