Post-Pregnancy Hair falls – Causes & Home Remedy

Quick Answer

YES, postpartum hair fall is completely NORMAL and temporary! Almost every new mother experiences significant hair loss (baal girna) 3-6 months after delivery. This is NOT a sign of illness or permanent baldness - it’s your hormones returning to normal. The good news? Your hair WILL grow back within a year, usually returning to its pre-pregnancy state.

Why This Happens (Baal Kyun Girte Hain)

The Pregnancy-Postpartum Hair Cycle

During pregnancy:

• High estrogen keeps hair in “growth phase”

• Less hair falls out than normal

• Hair seems thicker and fuller After delivery:

• Estrogen drops rapidly

• All those “extra” hairs enter “resting phase”

• Then they fall out together! You’re not LOSING more hair than normal - you’re losing the EXTRA hair you kept during pregnancy!

Timeline of Postpartum Hair Loss

Time After Delivery	What Happens
0-3 months	Hair still looks good
3-4 months	Hair fall starts
4-6 months	Peak hair fall (most scary!)
6-9 months	Hair fall slowing
9-12 months	New growth visible
12+ months	Back to normal

Symptoms to Watch For

Normal Postpartum Hair Loss

What’s expected:

• Noticing more hair in brush/comb
• Hair strands on pillow
• Hair in shower drain
• Thinning overall (not patches)
• Starts 3-6 months after delivery
• Improves by 12 months

Warning Signs (Not Normal)

See doctor if:

• Bald PATCHES appearing
• Hair loss continuing past 12 months
• Very rapid, excessive loss
• Other symptoms (fatigue, weight changes)
• Hair not growing back

Contributing Factors

What Can Make It Worse

Factor	Why It Affects Hair	Solution
Nutritional deficiency	Hair needs nutrients	Balanced diet, supplements
Iron deficiency/anemia	Very common postpartum	Get checked, iron supplements
Thyroid issues	Common after pregnancy	Blood test, treatment
Stress	Affects hair cycle	Rest, support
Lack of sleep (neend ki kami)	Body under stress	Sleep when baby sleeps
Crash dieting	Nutrient depletion	Eat well, don’t diet
Not eating well	Hair starved	Proper nutrition

Home Remedies (Gharelu Upchar)

Diet for Hair Health

Essential nutrients:

Nutrient	Why It Helps	Indian Foods
Iron	Prevents hair loss	Palak, beetroot, pomegranate, jaggery
Protein	Building block of hair	Dal, eggs, paneer, chicken, fish
Vitamin C	Helps iron absorption	Amla, orange, lemon, guava
Zinc	Hair growth	Nuts, seeds, whole grains
Biotin	Hair strength	Eggs, almonds, cauliflower
Vitamin E	Scalp health	Nuts, seeds, spinach

Eat daily:

• Protein at every meal
• Iron-rich foods
• Fresh fruits (especially amla!)
• Nuts (2-3 walnuts, few almonds)
• Plenty of water

Traditional Indian Remedies

Oil Massage (Champi):

• Warm oil massage 1-2 times per week
• Use: coconut oil, amla oil, bhringraj oil
• Massage scalp gently for 10-15 minutes
• Leave overnight or 1-2 hours before washing
• Improves blood circulation Hair Masks:

Mask	How to Make	Benefits
Egg + olive oil	1 egg + 2 tbsp olive oil, apply 30 min	Protein boost
Curd (dahi)	Apply fresh curd for 30 min	Strengthens hair
Fenugreek (methi)	Soak overnight, grind to paste	Reduces hair fall
Onion juice	Fresh onion juice on scalp	Promotes regrowth
Aloe vera	Fresh gel on scalp	Soothes scalp

Rinses:

• Amla water (boil amla, use water for rinsing)
• Hibiscus water
• Green tea rinse

Hair Care Tips

Do:

• Use gentle, mild shampoo

• Condition hair ends

• Let hair air dry when possible

• Use wide-tooth comb on wet hair

• Keep hair loose (avoid tight styles)

• Get hair trimmed to remove damage Don’t:

• Use hot styling tools

• Tie wet hair tightly

• Color or chemically treat

• Brush wet hair vigorously

• Use harsh shampoos

• Pull hair into tight ponytails

Supplements That May Help

Consider (after consulting doctor):

• Iron supplements (if deficient)
• Biotin supplements
• Vitamin D (very common deficiency in Indian women)
• Prenatal vitamins (can continue postpartum)
• Hair-specific supplements (with biotin, zinc)

When to See a Doctor

Schedule appointment if:

• Hair loss lasting beyond 12 months postpartum

• Bald patches or spots

• Significant thinning (scalp very visible)

• Other symptoms: extreme fatigue, weight changes, feeling cold

• Hair not regrowing

• Concerned about amount of loss Doctor may check:

• Iron levels (ferritin)

• Thyroid function

• Vitamin D levels

• Complete blood count

• Hormone levels if needed

Treatment Options

If Hair Loss is Excessive

Medical treatments (if needed):

• Treat underlying deficiency (iron, thyroid)

• Minoxidil (Rogaine) - can be used while breastfeeding, discuss with doctor

• PRP therapy (for severe cases)

• Medical-grade supplements Lifestyle focus:

• Good nutrition

• Stress management

• Adequate sleep (easier said than done with a baby!)

• Gentle hair care

Coping With Hair Loss

Practical Tips

Styling:

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioner

• Try a new haircut (shorter may look fuller)

• Avoid center part (shows thinning)

• Headbands, scarves can help Mindset:

• Remember: IT IS TEMPORARY

• You’re not going bald

• This is your body recovering

• It will improve!

Self-Care for New Mothers

Hair health needs overall health:

• Rest when baby sleeps (neend poori karein)
• Accept help with baby
• Eat well even when busy
• Stay hydrated
• Don’t stress about perfect meals - nourishment matters
• Consider meal prep or family help

Prevention

For future pregnancies:

• Maintain good nutrition throughout pregnancy
• Continue prenatal vitamins
• Check iron levels
• Manage stress
• Don’t worry - it may happen again but will resolve again!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Delivery ke baad baal bahut gir rahe hain. Kya normal hai?

A: YES, completely normal! This is called “telogen effluvium” and happens to almost all new mothers 3-6 months after delivery. You’re not losing more hair than normal - you’re losing the extra hair you kept during pregnancy. It peaks at 4-6 months and resolves by 12 months. Don’t panic - your hair will come back!

Q: Kya breastfeeding se baal girte hain?

A: Breastfeeding itself doesn’t cause hair fall - the hormonal changes after pregnancy do. Whether you breastfeed or not, postpartum hair loss happens. BUT breastfeeding increases nutritional needs, so ensure you’re eating well and taking supplements. Poor nutrition (common in tired, busy new moms) can worsen hair fall.

Q: Konsa oil lagana chahiye baal girne se rokne ke liye?

A: Traditional oils like coconut oil, amla oil, and bhringraj oil are good options. The oil itself doesn’t stop hair fall (that’s hormonal), but oil massage improves scalp circulation and hair health. Do weekly champi with warm oil. Commercial hair fall oils (Indulekha, Biotique) can help with overall hair health. Main benefit is circulation, not the specific oil.

Q: Kab tak baal girte rahenge?

A: Usually peaks at 4-6 months postpartum and significantly improves by 9-12 months. By your baby’s first birthday, your hair should be returning to normal. If hair loss continues beyond 12 months or you have bald patches, see a doctor - there may be another cause like thyroid issues or iron deficiency that needs treatment.

Q: Kya postpartum hair fall permanent hai?

A: NO! It is temporary. Your hair follicles are healthy - the hair is just going through a delayed shedding phase. New hair will grow. The “bald” feeling is because all the extra pregnancy hair falls at once. Very rarely, if hair doesn’t regrow, it could indicate another issue that a doctor should evaluate. For most women, hair returns completely to normal.

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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician and dermatologist. Last updated: January 2025

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