Finding noticeably more hair in the plughole or your hairbrush a few months after having a baby is one of the most common and least talked about parts of the postpartum period. It can feel alarming the first time it happens, but for the great majority of new mothers it is a temporary, well understood shift in the hair cycle rather than a sign that anything is wrong.
Why hair sheds after having a baby
During pregnancy, rising oestrogen keeps a larger proportion of scalp hair in its active growing phase for longer than usual, which is part of why hair often looks thicker and fuller through the third trimester. After birth, oestrogen drops sharply and that extended batch of hair shifts into the resting phase together rather than gradually as it normally would. A few months later, that whole batch sheds at once. It is a completely normal recalibration of the hair cycle, not hair loss in the sense of follicles being damaged or lost.
When it typically starts and how long it lasts
Shedding usually becomes noticeable around two to four months after birth and tends to peak around the three to four month mark. This pattern is consistent with what is understood clinically about postpartum telogen effluvium, described in a dermatology study on postpartum hair shedding published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, which links the timing directly to the oestrogen drop after delivery. For most women, shedding settles back to normal within six to twelve months as the hair cycle returns to its usual rhythm.
What it usually looks like
Postpartum shedding is typically spread evenly across the whole scalp rather than concentrated in one area. It often shows up first around the temples and hairline, sometimes described as a receding frame rather than true hair loss, alongside more hair coming away when washing, brushing or styling. If shedding is patchy, concentrated in one spot or comes with visible bald patches rather than general thinning, that is a different picture and worth a GP visit rather than something to wait out.
What genuinely helps while you wait it out
There is no way to stop the shedding phase outright, since it is a hormonal process running its course, but a few things make it easier to manage. Handle hair gently while it is shedding. Loose styles rather than tight ponytails or braids reduce additional stress on the hairline and a soft bristle brush causes less breakage than a fine tooth comb. Nutrition matters more than it gets credit for. Iron, vitamin D, B12 and protein are all commonly depleted after birth and during breastfeeding. Low levels of any of them can prolong or worsen shedding on top of the normal hormonal pattern, so it is worth asking your GP for a blood test if shedding feels heavier or longer than expected. Beyond that, patience is doing most of the work. This phase resolves on its own for the great majority of women.
Where the LED hair growth cap fits in and where it does not
Our LED Hair Growth Cap is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is not the right tool to reach for while you are still nursing, whatever stage the shedding is at. Once breastfeeding has ended, or with clearance from your GP, it becomes a reasonable option if shedding has continued longer than the usual window or you want extra support getting the regrowth phase moving. Our full guide to the LED hair growth cap covers how it works and what to expect in more detail. If you would rather start with something topical while you are still breastfeeding, always check any new product with your GP or midwife first. Our Hair Growth Serum is designed for this kind of gentle support once you have the go ahead.
Microneedling the hairline while you wait
Scalp microneedling is worth considering in the meantime, since it works differently to light therapy and is not tied to the same restriction as the LED cap. A derma stamp is particularly well suited to the hairline and temples, where postpartum shedding often shows up first, since it presses straight down into the scalp rather than rolling across it, so it will not catch or pull on hair that is already shedding the way a roller can. Our Derma Stamp has an adjustable depth gauge and works well on the hairline. Scalp skin is thicker than facial skin, so it tends to tolerate more frequent sessions than a standard depth facial routine would, but it is still worth listening to your scalp and easing off if it feels sensitive. As with anything new while breastfeeding, it is worth mentioning to your GP or midwife first.
When to see a GP
Speak to your GP if shedding is patchy in one spot rather than spread out all over, if it has not started to settle by around twelve months postpartum, or if it comes alongside other symptoms such as persistent fatigue, weight changes or changes to your skin and nails, which can point to postpartum thyroid changes rather than typical telogen effluvium. A simple blood test can usually rule these in or out and get you the right support faster than waiting it out on your own.
For the wider picture of hormonal hair thinning at other life stages, our guides to female hair loss and menopause hair loss go into more detail.
Common questions
When does postpartum hair loss start?
Most women notice increased shedding around two to four months after giving birth, often peaking around the three to four month mark as the extra hair retained during pregnancy shifts out of its growing phase together.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
For most women, shedding settles back to normal within six to twelve months as the hair cycle returns to its usual pattern. If it continues well beyond that, it is worth speaking to a GP.
Can I use the LED hair growth cap while breastfeeding?
No. The LED Hair Growth Cap is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is a reasonable option to consider once breastfeeding has ended or with clearance from your GP.
Is postpartum hair loss the same as other types of hair loss?
Not quite. It is a temporary hormonal shedding pattern called telogen effluvium rather than a sign of permanent follicle damage, which is why it usually resolves on its own without treatment.
What can I use for hair loss while I am still breastfeeding?
Scalp microneedling with a derma stamp is a reasonable option since it does not carry the same restriction as the LED cap. Scalp skin is thicker than facial skin so it generally tolerates more frequent use. Check with your GP or midwife first since you are still breastfeeding.
If shedding continues longer than expected or you want extra support once you are past the breastfeeding stage, browse our hair growth range or our LED Hair Growth Cap to see what might help. If you have any questions about timing or which option is right for you, email us at help@purederma.co.uk and we are always happy to talk it through.
