When you’re pregnant there’s a lot of changes going on. Aside from bringing an entirely new life into the world, pregnancy also affects your locs. Read on to see about pregnancy to postpartum hair loss and other hair changes.
Pregnancy Locs Impact
Your locs can be impacted pretty much at any phase of pregnancy. Women tend to experience hair loss after and not during pregnancy, but it isn’t uncommon for many reasons.
First Trimester:
Pending on the type of birth control you use, you may experience hair loss or even growth from stopping your medication. This is because birth control pills with more estrogen than progestin may actually spur hair growth, so the reduction of those hormones from stopping birth control can cause hair loss in your first semester. Conversely, if you were using birth control with more progestin before pregnancy and subsequently stop, you may notice your locs bounce back during your first semester.
Moreover, during the first trimester, there is a significant amount of hormonal changes. These changes can be stressful on the body and cause hair loss.
Second & Third Trimester
During the second trimester, the estrogen hormone takes off and stays elevated throughout all the way to the third trimester. This is really when the pregnancy glow takes over. The estrogen hormone lengthens the hair growth phase. During this time you may also notice thicker and faster growing locs.
Postpartum Locs Impact
After you give birth, you not only have a new child to adjust to, your body also has to adjust.
Typically during the first year after child birth, you’ll start to notice hair shedding. At this point, your locs may thin and become brittle. The hormone (estrogen) that made your locs grow fast and thick dissipates and causes excessive shedding in your locs. While unfortunate, it is normal. Typically, this time period peaks around 4 months. Within 6 to 12 months, the postpartum hair loss should stop and your locs will stabilize. If you are still continuing to have hair loss, reach out to a specialist.
Special Consideration
Noting as well, that postpartum also incorporates pregnancy loss. This can be a tough time for people. If you found this article and are experiencing hair loss it can be due to pregnancy loss too. This can be due to stress as well as hormone changes. Please take time for yourself and give yourself grace.
Handling Pregnancy Related Locs Loss
There are a lot of options if you are losing your locs due to pregnancy related thinning. Some recommendations are below:
- Wear head wraps to avoid tension and hide thinning
- Reduce retwisting sessions
- Cut off thinning locs and reattach later*
- Combine locs
- Consider cutting your locs entirely*
- Prenatal vitamins during pregnancy (as recommended by your healthcare provider)
- Post pregnancy, doctor prescribed solutions such as minoxidil
Remember though, the shedding is likely temporary! Thus, try not to get into a situation where you regret cutting your locs if it is possible.
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As always, thanks for stopping by. Dealing with hair loss is never easy – especially with the new life changes pregnancy brings as well! Remember that during and after pregnancy there are a lot of hormonal changes, so be kind to yourself as much as possible. Moreover, don’t panic! Hair loss during pregnancy and postpartum is not uncommon and there are solutions.
