Trichologist told about the prevention of hair loss after childbirth

Sometimes women face hair loss after childbirth. Lidia Belova, a dermatologist-trichologist, member of the Moscow Society of Dermatovenerologists and Cosmetologists and founder of the School of Hair and Skin, told Izvestia what this can be associated with and how to avoid it.

"During pregnancy, the body directs a huge amount of resources to the formation of a healthy fetus. Part of the hair, which normally should be renewed and fall out in telogen (one of the stages of hair growth - the phase of rest or loss), as if forcibly held. The natural process of hair loss is slowed down, so during pregnancy it seems to many people that the quality and quantity of hair improves: they are thick and grow quickly. In fact, just prolongs anagen - the phase of growth," - said the expert.

According to her, abundant postpartum hair loss is explained by a different amount of initial resources of the body. This is a broader concept than deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements, she specified. These are amino acids, proteins, fats and many other components that are needed to build hair. When they are deficient, the hair receives the necessary substances on a residual basis.

"We have a certain amount from which the body takes most of it, so it all depends on how much was the initial resources. It is important in the pregravidar preparation [for pregnancy] to put maximum emphasis on the fact that the resources were enough for both mom and baby," Belova emphasized.

The trichologist also specified that hair has receptors for sex hormones. Someone has these receptors more sensitive to changes in sex hormones, and someone - less. As the expert added, this relationship can be seen in practice: if a girl after the withdrawal of hormones, such as oral contraceptives, there was hair loss, then, as a rule, after childbirth is more likely to fall out. However, hair loss can be prevented as much as possible beforehand.

In order to maintain the health and appearance of the hair, one should maximize the replenishment of resources through nutrition, because this is the most effective and safe method, emphasized the dermatologist. It is necessary to monitor the level of iron and hemoglobin, because these indicators are often reduced during pregnancy and also affect the loss.

In addition, one should use safe external remedies - shampoos to maintain and strengthen follicles.

"[It is] worth applying preventive measures after delivery for a smoother, imperceptible and comfortable transition from one phase of hair growth to another," Belova added.

The expert pointed out that, as a rule, hair loss stops after childbirth, provided that the body has enough resources. But if hair loss has become too noticeable or causes concern, you should consult a trichologist, she added.

Earlier, on September 13, Ekaterina Bankovskaya, candidate of pharmaceutical sciences, associate professor of the Department of Chemical Technologies of the National Research Institute of Petrochemical University, told Izvestia that the number of people suffering from hair loss has been increasing recently. According to her, among the reasons are environmental pollution, unhealthy food habits, including the intake of fast food products, frequent coloring, use of perm, improper scalp care, and increased social stress.