Hair loss affects 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. Postpartum hair loss affects 40-50% of moms. What are some causes hair loss? Can postpartum hair loss be prevented? Tia and our producer Thelisha tackle this huge topic, tell their own stories of postpartum hair loss and we hear some stories from the ALB Fam!

Show Notes:

What is alopecia?

Baldness. There are many types of alopecia, each with a different cause.  Hair loss is often caused by genetics, that is, it runs in families. Some other causes are:

• high fever
  
  


• childbirth
  
  


• severe infection
  
  


• chronic or severe illness
  
  


• severe psychological stress
  
  


• major surgery
  
  


• over or underactive thyroid
  
  


• crash diets
  
  


• medications, such as retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

Postpartum hair loss

Changes related to your hormone levels before, during and after pregnancy can affect hair growth. It’s completely normal to experience hormonal imbalance after giving birth, and one of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance is postpartum hair loss.

The medical term for postpartum hair loss is telogen effluvium. The condition, which is also referred to as postpartum alopecia, is relatively common, affecting between 40-50% of women in the months following childbirth.

Postpartum hair loss occurs after childbirth because of the sudden change of hormones in your body, particularly the change between progesterone and estrogen.

Six Tips To Tackle Postpartum Hair Loss

https://flo.health/being-a-mom/recovering-from-birth/postpartum-problems/tips-to-tackle-postpartum-hair-loss

Countess Vaughn’s Health Crisis | The Doctors TV Show

https://www.thedoctorstv.com/videos/countess-vaughn-s-health-crisis

Ricki Lake on GMA talk about her hair loss journey

https://gma.abc/2ZLr0rH

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is caused over time by constant pulling on hair roots. Hairstyles that cause tension on the hair follicles such as tight braids, or "corn rows," often cause this condition. It may also be caused by chemical straightening or weaving. The sooner this condition is diagnosed the easier it is to treat, and if left untreated over a long period of time the hair loss may become permanent. Wearing hair in styles that are looser and do not pull on the roots is often the best way to prevent this type of hair loss.