Hair Loss During or After Pregnancy? Here’s How to Avoid or Fix It Naturally

You’ve just given birth to a tiny miracle, you’re surviving on cold coffee and baby snuggles—and then you spot it: a hair tumbleweed drifting across your bathroom floor. Or maybe it’s not even postpartum yet, and your once-bouncy ponytail is suddenly limp, oily, or mysteriously curly. Sound familiar?

If you’re googling “why am I losing hair during pregnancy?” or “will my hair ever go back to normal after giving birth?”—take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Hair loss during or after pregnancy is extremely common, and while it can feel like yet another plot twist in the wild ride of motherhood, it’s also 100% manageable.

In this article, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know—from why it happens, to what’s safe to use, and the best tips to prevent and reverse shedding.

Why Hair Loss Happens During or After Pregnancy

You might think you’re doing something wrong—too much heat styling, not enough conditioner, maybe you forgot your prenatals a few times. But in truth, hair loss during or after pregnancy is largely hormonal and totally normal. Here’s what’s really going on behind the scenes:

The Estrogen Surge

During pregnancy, your estrogen levels soar. This hormone prolongs the anagen phase, or growth cycle, of your hair. That means:

• Less hair falls out
• Strands stay in place longer
• You get that enviable pregnancy “thickness”

Think of it as your hair getting an all-expenses-paid spa vacation… until delivery day.

The Postpartum Drop

After birth, estrogen drops dramatically. All the hair that was supposed to fall out months ago but was “held hostage” by estrogen? It starts shedding—all at once.

This is called telogen effluvium, and it:

• Usually starts around 2–4 months postpartum
• Peaks by month 4 or 5
• Can last up to 12 months

It’s not true baldness or permanent damage—it’s a shedding cycle that resets your hair’s natural rhythm.

When Hair Loss Is Not Normal

While most postpartum hair loss is harmless, you’ll want to speak with your OB-GYN or a dermatologist if:

• Hair is coming out in patches or clumps
• You notice bald spots or scaling
• Shedding continues beyond 12 months postpartum
• You have other symptoms (fatigue, dry skin, depression), which may point to thyroid issues or anemia

So now that you know why it happens and what’s normal, let’s dive into exactly how to prevent, manage, and repair hair loss safely and effectively.

Safe Hair Treatment During Pregnancy

Pregnancy might be a sacred journey, but that doesn’t mean your roots need to suffer—literally. Coloring, bleaching, or toning your hair during this time can be a gray area (pun intended), so here’s a deeper dive into what’s actually safe and what’s better left until post-baby.

Pregnancy-Safe Hair Dye

While most experts agree that hair dye is generally safe in the second and third trimesters, it’s always smart to limit exposure to ammonia and other harsh chemicals. Safer alternatives include:

• Vegetable-based dyes or henna – These are natural and don’t contain peroxide or ammonia.
• Semi-permanent dyes – Less harsh and fade out gradually.
• Highlights, balayage, or ombré techniques – These don’t touch the scalp, minimizing absorption risks.

Hair Toner During Pregnancy

Toners are typically used post-bleach to neutralize brassiness, but they contain chemicals like ammonia or peroxide. If you’re toning at home, avoid formulas with:

• High peroxide content
• Synthetic fragrances (which can trigger nausea or allergies)

Instead, look for pregnancy-safe toners labeled as “low-tox” or those made with botanical pigments.

Managing Hair Texture and Scalp Changes

Pregnancy hormones don’t just affect your cravings—they also mess with your scalp’s oil production, follicle health, and overall hair manageability.

Hair Texture Changes

Your hair doesn’t just shed after pregnancy—it might transform. Thicker? Curly now? Frizzy for the first time? You’re not alone.

Hormonal surges—especially the drop in estrogen postpartum—can change the shape of your hair follicles. This, in turn, affects curl pattern, thickness, and manageability.

Types of Changes:

• Straight to wavy/curlier – Often seen due to altered follicle shape.
• Thicker, wirier strands – A side effect of hormonal changes.
• New grays – Estrogen dips can accelerate pigment loss.

Tips to Manage:

• Switch to products for your new texture (e.g., curl creams if curls emerge).
• Add a silk pillowcase and detangling conditioner to your routine.
• Consider a hair consultation post-pregnancy to reassess your new needs.

Dealing with Greasy Hair

If you feel like your scalp transformed into an oil rig overnight—welcome to pregnancy hormones. Increased sebum (oil) production is normal thanks to an uptick in androgens, but it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with lank locks for nine months. Here’s why greasy hair happens in pregnancy:

• Hormonal changes: Your body produces more androgens, which stimulate oil glands.
• Increased sweat: Especially in the third trimester, sweat and oil can mix and clog pores.
• Heightened sensitivity: Some shampoos that once worked might now irritate your scalp, worsening the issue.

Tips to Control the Shine:

• Wash with lukewarm water – Hot water stimulates more oil.
• Try apple cider vinegar rinses (1x/week) – Balances scalp pH naturally.
• Dry shampoo trick: Apply it at night instead of morning so it can absorb oil while you sleep.
• Switch to pregnancy-safe clarifying shampoos – Use once weekly to detox buildup.

Pro Tip: Overwashing! It strips your scalp, prompting it to produce more oil to compensate.

Nourishing Pregnancy Hair

Carrying your baby and the months after childbirth can feel like a beautiful blur—except when you’re cleaning clumps of hair out of your shower drain. This is where strategy over panic wins.

Pregnancy-Safe Hair Products

Choosing the right products can make all the difference. Look for:

Product Type	Ingredients to Love	Ingredients to Avoid
Shampoo	Aloe, tea tree oil (for oily scalp), biotin	Sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrance
Conditioner	Argan oil, shea butter, keratin	Phthalates, parabens
Serum	Caffeine, niacinamide, castor oil	Minoxidil (not safe during pregnancy)
Leave-in Treatments	Coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, chamomile	Retinoids, formaldehyde

Pro Tip: Always check for the label “OB-GYN tested” or “Safe for prenatal use”—especially if you’re in your first trimester or nursing.

Pregnancy-Safe Hair Growth Serums

Can you stimulate growth without resorting to sketchy serums or prescription formulas? Yes—but it requires choosing wisely.

Most commercial hair growth products use minoxidil, which isn’t safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Instead, look for:

• Pumpkin seed oil – Naturally DHT-blocking and promotes follicle health.
• Peptides – Help boost hair thickness and density.
• Caffeine-infused serums – Increase circulation at the scalp.

Nutritional Hair Health – What to Eat for a Fuller Mane

Nutrient	Why It Matters	Where to Find It
Iron	Prevents anemia-related hair loss	Red meat, lentils, spinach
Protein	Builds keratin (hair’s main protein)	Eggs, chicken, tofu, Greek yogurt
Omega-3s	Keeps scalp hydrated and reduces inflammation	Salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds
Zinc	Strengthens follicles and reduces shedding	Pumpkin seeds, beef, chickpeas
Biotin	Supports hair structure and growth	Eggs, almonds, sweet potatoes
Vitamin D	Low levels linked to hair thinning	Fortified milk, mushrooms, safe sun exposure

Pro Tip: Add a hair-friendly smoothie to your morning routine—try spinach, banana, almond butter, flaxseed, and a scoop of prenatal powder.

Hair loss during or after pregnancy isn’t just normal—it’s part of your body’s beautiful process of rebalancing after the incredible work of growing a tiny human. So take a deep breath, eat your greens, massage that scalp, and know you’ve got this.