How long will postpartum hair loss last?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Postpartum hair loss is a common physiological phenomenon among women after giving birth, but it is unpredictable how long the hair loss will last. For most women, postpartum hair loss can persist for six months to a year, after which hair growth gradually returns to normal. It is important to prevent hair loss after childbirth. For example, it is advisable not to wash hair too frequently; washing every three days is generally sufficient. Additionally, it is important to enhance nutrition and maintain a balanced diet, as the most important source for hair is protein. Therefore, consuming more protein-rich foods is recommended.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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When does postpartum hair loss begin?

Postpartum hair loss generally begins three months after childbirth and is a normal physiological phenomenon. In medicine, it is also known as telogen effluvium postpartum. The main reason for hair loss is related to changes in estrogen levels in the body after pregnancy. During pregnancy, the increased levels of estrogen slow down the rate of hair loss and extend the life of hair. However, after giving birth, hormone levels gradually decrease and the hair loses hormonal support, leading to hair loss. This condition typically starts around three months postpartum and can gradually improve around six months after childbirth.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to effectively treat seborrheic hair loss?

Medically, seborrheic hair loss is also called androgenic alopecia, which is primarily caused by the hyperactivity of sebaceous glands leading to the gradual shrinkage of hair follicles, or rather, the weakening of hair roots, causing hair loss. Generally, it is somewhat related to heredity, with a higher clinical incidence in males than in females. Once this condition appears, it must be treated with medications. Oral treatments can include Vitamin B6 tablets, lipid-reducing hair regrowth tablets, and finasteride tablets. Minoxidil solution can also be used topically. This disease can gradually improve with treatment, but it is mostly not easy to fully recover, and some people may find that the condition worsens with age. During treatment, it is also essential to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, engage in more physical exercise, and enhance the immune system, all of which can aid in treatment.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Hair loss is divided into several types.

There are many types of hair loss, mainly including androgenic alopecia, neurogenic alopecia, endocrine alopecia, nutritional alopecia, and physical alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is clinically known as seborrheic alopecia, while neurogenic alopecia is also called alopecia areata. Therefore, if you notice a significant amount of hair loss, it is essential to promptly identify the cause. In addition to the types of hair loss mentioned above, there may also be chemical-induced hair loss, infectious hair loss, symptomatic hair loss, congenital hair loss, seasonal hair loss, and other types.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to treat chronic seborrheic hair loss?

Seborrheic hair loss, also medically known as androgenetic alopecia, has a relatively high incidence rate, and both men and women can be affected. It is often associated with familial inheritance. Consuming spicy and stimulating foods frequently, or often staying up late, being anxious and tense, might also trigger this condition. Upon diagnosis, the most common treatment usually involves oral and topical medications, such as minoxidil solution for topical application, oral vitamin B6 tablets, anti-sebum and hair growth tablets, and compound glycyrrhizin tablets. For males with severe symptoms, oral finasteride tablets can also be used. The treatment period for this condition is quite lengthy and results are slow to appear; an effective outcome might only be visible after at least three months of treatment.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Is supplementing with zinc useful for seborrheic hair loss?

Patients with seborrheic alopecia can appropriately supplement with zinc-rich preparations and foods, which have certain auxiliary effects on the hair. Seborrheic alopecia, also known as androgenic alopecia, is a type of hair loss characterized by genetic factors and dependent on androgen action. It can occur in both men and women, though it is more common in men. Treatment mainly targets the hair follicles, and there is no particularly effective cure. Treatments can include topical application of 2% or 5% minoxidil solution, oral administration of finasteride, and for women, oral spironolactone can be used. If necessary, treatment can be supplemented with traditional Chinese medicine and scalp acupuncture, including plum blossom needle therapy. For cases of seborrheic alopecia where the hair follicles have significantly atrophied, scalp transplantation and hair transplantation may also be options. Patients with seborrheic alopecia should also pay attention to their diet by consuming light, nutritious foods and avoiding spicy and irritating substances. It is beneficial to consume foods containing high-quality complex proteins and various vitamins, including vitamins, trace elements, zinc, copper, calcium, etc., all of which assist in hair growth.