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Postpartum Hair Loss: Some mothers experience excessive shedding of hair after a few months of giving birth. This excessive shedding is termed as Post-Partum hair loss also known as telogen effluvium. Post-partum hair loss is extremely common amongst new mothers; almost 50% of mothers experience this. Most mothers are usually not aware of this phenomenon and their lives are already revolving around their children by the time this occurs, thus causing them a lot of stress.
 
How does post-partum hair loss happen?

Dr BL Jangid, Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, SkinQure Clinic, Delhi explains that our hair grows in 3 phases namely anagen phase, catagen phase and telogen phase. The anagen phase is when the hair is growing, the catagen phase is when the hair follicles shrink and the telogen phase is when the follicles have shrunk enough to hold on to the hair for about three months and then the hair falls off.
 
Post-partum hair loss occurs because due to the release of pregnancy hormones, many hairs that were in the anagen phase enter the telogen phase. Thus the hair follicles let off the hair that was supposed to grow causing hair shedding. So when you get post-partum hair loss you can lose around 200-300 hairs on a daily basis.
 
How long does the post-partum hair loss last?

Typically, post-partum hair loss will last about 5-6 months and then you will start gaining your hair back. Many people observe that when they get their hair back after post-partum hair loss they may be thinner than they used to be.
 
How to deal with post-partum hair loss?

Many women get insecure about their bodies, and wonder if they will ever look like themselves again. Pregnancy drastically changes a woman's body and you may never look like you used to before. That is although no reason to be unhappy with your body, your body created another human and is still beautiful. There is no way of preventing post-partum hair loss but minimizing stress, getting good sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals and protein will help you gain back your hair. Don't try to style your hair with heat and excessive accessories. Let your hair naturally grow back and don't stress too much about it. 

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