Postpartum Hair Loss: What’s Actually Happening (and What You Can Do About It)

By our friends at Great Many

You did it - you grew a human. Somewhere between the newborn snuggles and the sleep deprivation, you may have noticed something else: more hair in your brush, your shower drain, and on your clothes than ever before.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Postpartum hair loss is incredibly common and while it can feel alarming, it’s usually a normal, temporary part of the postpartum journey.

Let’s break down what’s really going on and how to support your hair (and yourself) through it.

First: This Is Normal

Postpartum hair loss (also known as telogen effluvium) affects more than half of women after childbirth. It typically begins around 2–4 months postpartum and can last through the first year as your body recalibrates.

“This is one of the most common concerns we see with new moms,” says Colton Jerris, Lead Clinician at Great Many Buckhead. “The important thing to understand is that in most cases, the follicles are still healthy - your hair cycle has just been temporarily disrupted.”

Why It Happens

During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of estrogen, which keeps more of your hair in the growth phase. That’s why many women notice thicker, fuller hair while pregnant.

After delivery, hormone levels drop quickly and all that hair that was “paused” in growth shifts into the shedding phase at once. “It can feel sudden, but it’s actually delayed shedding,” explains Jerris. “Hair that would have naturally fallen out over time is shedding all at once, which makes it feel more dramatic than it is.”

There are often a few additional factors at play, too:

• Physical and emotional stress from childbirth

• Nutrient depletion (especially if breastfeeding)

• Sleep disruption

• Underlying factors like iron deficiency or thyroid imbalance

Hair loss is rarely just one thing; it’s your body recalibrating after a major life event.

What It Looks Like

Postpartum shedding is usually diffuse, meaning it happens all over the scalp rather than in patches. You might notice more hair than usual on your pillow or in the shower, hair coming out in clumps when brushing. thinning around the hairline or temples, and/or a general decrease in volume. It can feel dramatic—but importantly, this type of shedding does not damage the follicle, which means regrowth is very much possible.

When Will It Stop?

For most women, shedding slows down within 6–12 months postpartum, as hormone levels stabilize and the hair growth cycle resets.

“Most patients will see regrowth start to come in gradually—often as shorter hairs around the hairline,” says Jerris. “The key is supporting that regrowth phase so the hair comes back as strong and healthy as possible.”

What Actually Helps

While you can’t completely stop postpartum shedding (that hair is already in the shedding phase), you can support healthier regrowth and minimize further stress on the hair.

Here’s what makes a real difference:

1. Focus on Scalp Health

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Keeping follicles clear, nourished, and stimulated creates a better environment for regrowth.

2. Prioritize Nutrition

Hair is not essential for survival—so your body will prioritize other systems first. Make sure you’re getting enough protein, iron, Vitamin D, B vitamins

3. Be Gentle

Avoid tight hairstyles, excessive heat styling, and harsh brushing. Think low-tension, low-stress.

4. Support the Growth Cycle

Because postpartum hair loss is rooted in the hair cycle, treatments that help re-balance and extend the growth phase can be especially impactful.

Where Great Many Fits In

At Great Many, we take a more personalized approach to hair growth, because no two cases are the same. Postpartum hair loss isn’t just about the hair you’re losing. It’s about what’s happening beneath the surface: your scalp health, your growth cycle, and your body’s recovery. “Postpartum hair loss is one of the most responsive types of shedding we treat,” says Jerris. “When we can support the scalp and re-engage the growth phase early, we often see really encouraging regrowth.”

That’s why our approach focuses on:

• Scalp analysis at 40x magnification to understand what’s really going on

• Clinically-backed, non-surgical treatments that support regrowth at the follicle level

  • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Hair Restoration – A minimally invasive treatment using your body’s own growth factors to activate dormant follicles, improve density, and support natural regrowth.

  • Laser Hair Restoration , powered by FoLix™ – The first FDA-cleared in-office laser treatment for hair growth, designed to stimulate follicles, enhance circulation, and support scalp health.

• Personalized plans based on your stage of hair loss and recovery including prescriptions and supplements

  
  

For postpartum women, this can be especially powerful. Instead of waiting it out (and wondering if things will come back), you can actively support your hair as it regrows.

Postpartum hair loss can feel emotional. Your body has already gone through so much and seeing changes in your hair can feel like one more thing out of your control.

But here’s the truth: This phase is temporary. Your follicles are still working. And with the right support, your hair can come back strong.

In the meantime, be patient with your hair - and with yourself. 

MESH moms Members receive $200 off their 3-treatment series at Great Many with code MESHMOMSATL