Thursday, March 27, 2014

Dealing With Post-Partum Hair Loss

By Maria Turner




A new baby brings so much joy and happiness to a family. It's an exciting time that is also filled with uncertainty. Along with the joy of giving birth comes a few changes to your body that you might not be expecting. Most women are prepared for some bloating and other physical changes but other issues like post-partum hair loss are not as widely discussed.





Many women experience significant hair loss after giving birth. It's not the first thing a new mom will talk about because there are so many other things to discuss so a lot of women don't know to expect this. In fact, this hair loss doesn't even begin until the baby is a few months old. At first, you might observe more hair than usual at the bottom of your shower and the next thing you know, your hair is noticeably thinner when you look in the mirror. As scary as this seems at the time, it's actually very normal and temporary.

Although it may look like you are losing quite a bit of hair, you also have to keep in mind the fact that your body holds on to a lot of extra hair during your pregnancy thanks to the increase of estrogen running through your body. Extra estrogen means less hair loss which is why many pregnant women's hairs look fuller and thicker than normal. As the estrogen starts to level out post-partum, the hair it was retaining slowly starts to begin the shedding process. So even though it looks like tons of hair is falling out, you are really going back to the way you were before. The hair should stop falling before the baby turns a year old.

There are several things a woman can do to get through this unpleasant time. One thing that can make a big difference is volumizing hair products that give the hair some body and lift. Many women opt to get their hair cut a bit shorter not only to save time with a new baby around but also to help make their hair loss less noticeable and make cleanup easier. A layered haircut can also help make the hair loss a bit less dramatic-looking to outsiders.

Cleaning up the fallen hair can be a bit of a pain but it's important if you want to avoid clogging your drain and paying the plumber. Moreover, fallen hairs can wrap around the baby's fingers or toes and cut off circulation so check your baby's digits daily for wrapped hairs, especially if the baby seems to be crying for no reason.

Another way you can improve the look of your hair is by using vitamins such as Vitamin E and biotin. This can help with blood flow to the scalp area which should boost new hair production. Shampoos and other products that contain vitamins can help but the best way to use vitamins to your advantage is to take them internally. This can make a difference even if you're not losing your hair and has other health benefits as well.

Not only do you lose hair from your head but your eyelashes and brows may suffer as well. Biotin is one of the best vitamins for hair loss and you can even take biotin eyelash growth supplements if you are noticing much sparser lashes as a result of post-partum changes.



Sunday, March 16, 2014

Postpartum Hair Loss - How To Stop Hair Loss After Pregnancy

By Joey Logan


Postpartum hair loss is what is commonly known as post-pregnancy hair loss which can last from six to twelve months after childbirth. There are several things you can do to Stop Hair Loss After Pregnancy.

Have your doctor check you out to ensure that you are no longer experiencing hormonal imbalance. If the hormonal imbalances continue after childbirth, you might be experiencing other types of medical conditions that could have occurred during pregnancy and extended thereafter like thyroid disorder in pregnancy.

If you are given a clean bill of health, you should start on a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables high in antioxidants, helping you to enhance hair growth and strengthening the follicles.
Intake of the right amount of supplements in terms of vitamins and minerals is an important part of the regimen. You may wish to continue taking prenatal vitamins as the chemical components of zinc, vitamin H, silica and calcium can help enhance hair growth. Fish oils containing omega, flaxseed oil, avocados, and nuts can also help with hair growth.

Scalp acupuncture and massage is also effective in stimulating the blood flow through the scalp and hair follicles. You may do the massage yourself or us a bristle brush. Be careful not to rip the remaining amounts of your hair.

Create a soothing, safe, healthy, and happy environment at home to avoid emotional trauma and postnatal depression as this will give rise to more stress and hence intensify your postpartum hair loss.

As you try to coax new hair to grow, never use harsh chemicals on your hair or scalp and this includes thick moisturizing creams, harsh shampoos, hair coloring, highlights, etc. Avoid using strong hairdryers, heated curlers just in case you might further aggravate hair loss.
While you may not be able to totally stop hair loss after pregnancy, there are some things you can do to camouflage it. Trying different hairstyles or going for a shorter crop enables easy hair management and can, in fact, stimulate hair growth to a certain extent. You might want to use headbands that can easily cover up certain areas, especially along the hairline or higher.

Always remember, post-pregnancy hair loss is temporary and you will have a full-grown head of crowning glory again very soon, especially if you do not fuss over it every moment of the time. Anxiety and stress can affect its growth too.

Get the best hair replacement systems at Hair-Restoration





Postpartum Alopecia - Hair Loss After Pregnancy

By Jared Wright


Postpartum alopecia is the condition that causes new mothers to suffer some hair loss after the delivery of their children. It is caused by reduced levels of estrogen in the body.




During pregnancy, estrogen levels are at their highest, leading to increased hair growth. After pregnancy, estrogen levels drop, which causes an increase in the male hormone testosterone, resulting in hair loss. Testosterone is produced in the male testes, and in lesser amounts by the female ovaries.

On average, a human would shed around 50-100 hairs every day. Postpartum alopecia will normally peak around four months after childbirth and within twelve months hair will have been restored back to its normal levels.

At any point in time, roughly ninety percent of your hair is in a growth phase. The rest of the hair is resting and will then fall out at the end of this phase. When you shed your older hair, new hair grows and take their place. It is after this resting phase that hair loss occurs.

When your hormone levels are elevated, hair growth is above average and will result in less shedding. Once the delivery has occurred, all the hair that would normally have been shed will tend to fall out in one go. The result will be ahead of hair that appears thinner than before.

This is quite normal and cannot really be avoided. You can focus on making this postpartum alopecia appear less noticeable. Wearing your hair shorter, for example, can give the illusion of a fuller head of hair.

Securing the hair during sleep, such as a loose ponytail, will reduce the incidence of friction that causes hair loss.

Satin pillows are great for limiting postpartum hair loss, and at other times as well for that matter. This is because of the reduction in friction that the satin pillow brings. As a matter of fact, it is this friction that will cause your baby to lose hair as they rub their head while lying in the cot.

Hair may be missing from the back of your child's head which is normal and will be a temporary situation.
Other causes of hair loss may include:
Stopping birth control pills, miscarriage or stillbirth, abortion, and a hormonal imbalance.
All of the above relate to fluctuation in estrogen levels, which is the same thing as a hormone imbalance. Remember, increased estrogen means hair growth, while a decrease in this hormone will result in hair loss.
Management:
- Eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Avoid using hair products that have harsh chemical ingredients.
- Avoid wearing your hair in any style that pulls tightly at your brow.

- Use natural hair shampoos and conditioners that nourish and revitalize your hair.
It is not much you can do to stop postpartum alopecia from occurring. What you can do is take steps to minimize the obvious appearance of this condition as well as treat your hair with tenderness to ensure as little fall out as possible.
Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com where people meet to learn from one another on topics such as female hair loss. You can follow the links to find more related articles such as female thinning hair 

and hair loss in a woman.



Monday, March 10, 2014

Do Not Worry About Postpartum Hair Loss

By Avisha Jain 


Postpartum hair loss, or shedding hair after pregnancy is normal to new mothers and when it happens you don't have to get too worried about it. This normally takes place between three and six months after giving birth and when it happens, some women are so afraid they are losing their crown.

Under normal circumstances, we lose close to 100 hairs daily but since it does not happen all at once, most people are never aware that it is taking place. When you are pregnant, the hormones that sustain the pregnancy keep the hair from falling hence the myth that pregnancy causes hair to grow. This is why your hair is likely to look lush and you are not able to brush through it easily. However, even the best of things come to an end at some point, those hormones get back to their normal levels and your hair begins to fall off, which is the norm.

When you realize you are experiencing postpartum hair loss, the first thing to remember is that there is no need to freak. If you are breastfeeding some of that hair will actually hang on for a while and begin falling off when you begin weaning. But whether you nurse your baby for so long, it is most likely that by the time your baby gets to celebrate their first birthday and their head is full of hair, you will be losing locks of hair from your own. All you need to remind yourself is that this is normal and it will come to pass.
There are a few simple things you can do as you handle postpartum hair loss:


  • You need to keep your scalp and hair healthy by eating a balanced diet and consuming prenatal supplements.

  • You can prevent excessive hair loss when you are shedding hair after pregnancy by being just a little vigilant. You should only shampoo your hair when it is absolutely necessary and use a good conditioner. When untangling your hair only use a wide-toothed comb and always avoid using rubber bands or pulling your hair into tight locks.


  • Blow driers, flat irons, and curls will not augur well for your hair, and if you must do them, only when it becomes absolutely necessary. You should also shelve applying any chemical treatments including straightening, perms, and highlights until you are done with the shedding period.
  • Last but not least, talk to a trusted hair practitioner if you experience some excessive hair shedding and if it is accompanied by other symptoms. You want to be sure you are not dealing with postpartum thyroiditis.
The author of this article is a beauty expert and has written many articles on the prevention of hair loss. In case you are looking to buy hair loss products then you can find them on www.more-hair.co.uk.




Strategies For Dealing With Post-Partum Hair Loss

By Maria Turner


Many pregnant women focus so much on what will happen during the birth of their baby that they forget to learn about the things that will happen to them afterward. Most women know that their stomach won't look like it used to immediately after giving birth but a lot of women are surprised at some of the other physical changes that happen to their post-partum bodies. One of the most alarming of these changes is the hair loss that happens after having a baby.





Your hair can start to fall out quite rapidly within a few months of giving birth. Somehow this little annoyance doesn't make it into many lists of what women should expect after giving birth and many new mothers run scrambling to find out if others have had this same experience. It is indeed normal for a new mom's hair to start falling out in droves as the baby nears four months of age and this can last for several months but rest assured it will not last forever and is something completely normal that happens to almost everyone after giving birth.

This hair fallout is not quite as dramatic as it looks. Although you will notice a shocking amount of hair in your drain, this is really the extra hair you had during pregnancy falling out and not your regular hair. Pregnant women have higher estrogen levels which cause them to lose less hair than normal. That's why your hair looked thicker while you were pregnant. Once the baby is out, estrogen returns to its normal levels, and the extra hairs that would have normally fallen out during your pregnancy finally drop off. It looks a lot worse than it actually is and the problem usually disappears completely after a few months.

If you are experiencing postpartum hair loss, you might need to buy some hair products that you never needed before such as mousse. You can use a spritz of mousse toward the roots of your hair and then lift it up a bit with your fingers to make it look a lot fuller than it actually is. A lot of new mothers opt to get their cut shorter out of frustration with finding so many fallen hairs and this can also help you make your beauty routine easier and give you more time with your new baby.
You should also be careful with the fallen hair that collects around your house because sometimes hairs can get wrapped around the baby's toes or fingers and restrict circulation. A lot of doctors tell parents to check little toes and fingers for wrapped hairs when a baby seems to be crying for no reason because this can be really painful for little ones.
You can also make your hair a bit fuller and thicker by using vitamins like biotin and B complex in general. This is an effective way to increase hair health and production beginning at the scalp. The best way to get the hair benefits of vitamins is to take them internally but shampoos and conditioners infused with vitamins can also add to the effect. Moreover, vitamins are good for your general health.


Successfully Fighting Postpartum Hair Loss

By Hannah Bajor

Postpartum is part of pregnancy. It is 6 to 8 weeks after having a baby. For a new mom, these weeks can be very stressful, challenging, and confusing for new moms. Read on for great postpartum stress survival tips to make this precious new mother/child transitional period less stressful, less traumatic, easier, and more enjoyable for you and your new baby.




As a midwife, I put a lot of thought and effort into my pregnancy and birthing experience. My first son was born at home in a birthing pool surrounded by people I loved. But none of my midwifery knowledge prepared me for the first few weeks after having a baby. For me, the postpartum part of pregnancy was very stressful and physically challenging. I had a long labor and every part of my body hurt. It felt like I had been hit by a truck. I share with you some post-delivery stress-reducing survival tips that made the end of my second pregnancy more enjoyable.
Arrange help for the household chores: 

Believe me; you will be too exhausted to keep up with everything postpartum. Don't be afraid to ask for help during your pregnancy or request a home cleaning gift certificate as a great baby shower gift that can be used after having a baby.
Stock your freezer with pre-cooked meals:

 New moms get hungry at odd hours and it is not unusual to be too tired to cook.
Schedule chiropractic adjustments during the first week postpartum: 

Pregnancy and childbirth move many of your pelvic bones out of alignment (even if you have a cesarean section birth). Use the expertise of your chiropractor to realign your pelvis, hips, and back. This will definitely expedite your recovery following birth.
Have a good supply of large sanitary napkins and adult diapers in your hospital bag and at home.

 I am not kidding! After pregnancy new moms will experience very heavy bleeding and regular sanitary towels will not do the job. Most hospitals give new moms cheap sanitary towels postpartum. This will also save your bed linen from being destroyed.

Sleep when your baby sleeps. 

As a new mom postpartum be prepared to be exhausted. Take every opportunity to sleep whenever your baby sleeps.
Don't be afraid to cry (and don't worry about it). 

Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum result in changing levels of hormones. After childbirth, there is a rapid decrease in hormones that occurs approximately on the third, fifth and tenth day. These hormone adjustments can be emotionally challenging for the mother. You may cry for no apparent reason so let it out and know this is all part of a normal pregnancy postpartum.
Supplement with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are breastfeeding safe:

 Every organ and system in your body is under a lot of physical stress postpartum as they attempt to return to their normal nonpregnancy state. High-quality vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are safe for breastfeeding will provide the foundation to prevent post-delivery complications and result in an overall better pregnancy experience.

Having a new baby is a wonderful time in a woman's life. Knowing the above plan ahead and think of ways to support yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually ahead of time before you are all consumed with your new baby. I am a great believer in the good internal health of the body for optimum health and pretension of stress, sickness, disease, and depression. I highly recommend all pregnant and new moms supplement with high-quality vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to support the many challenges of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
Motherhood can be an extraordinary, yet exhausting experience for a woman. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy and postpartum will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your new baby will allow you to enhance your postpartum experience and create a strong bond between you and your baby. It will also allow your baby to be more content and be an easier child to manage.
If you are facing any emotional challenges after having a baby then you are not alone. Then please do not be afraid to reach out for help and seek professional support, remember your baby has picked you out of all the mothers in the world to be his or her mother. Once you have made the adjustments to motherhood, you will be a great mother!
Midwife Hannah Bajor C.N.M., M.S.N. is the founder, CEO, and Visionary behind the Lumalove® brand of getting pregnant, pregnancy, infertility, and miscarriage educational support products and services.
Hannah says "knowing my life's purpose gives one a huge advantage". Her 30 years of midwifery experience along with her personal journey through ten years of infertility, having personally experienced a 16-week miscarriage and a near-death experience delivering her second child has lit a fire in her soul that NO ONE can put out and that is to "change childbirth education as we know it".
Lumalove LLC helps couples globally access new and dynamic prenatal education and in doing so lays the foundational blueprints for a happier, healthier pregnancy outcome and gives their unborn child the opportunity of unlimited potential.

Take advantage of her FREE offer to self-assess what energy centers may be out of balance and add to the challenges of adjusting to motherhood. To get your FREE Lumalove Self Assessment Of Your Energy 

Centers to click on http://www.LumaloveGettingPregnant.com



Sunday, March 9, 2014

Female Alopecia - The Facts You Need To Know About Female Alopecia

By John Tulley


Although androgenetic alopecia is more commonly known as male-patterned baldness, it is also a condition affecting women due to the presence of male hormones in the female body. For women, it is known both as female alopecia or female-patterned baldness.



What Is Female Alopecia?
The pattern of baldness for women is different from men. Rather than making itself known with patches or spots of hair loss, it starts out with the thinning of hair throughout the entire scalp but almost always without causing the hairline to recede. Even better, female alopecia rarely results in complete baldness.

Important Figures for Female Alopecia
As many as thirteen percent of women suffering from premenopausal syndromes are experiencing androgenetic alopecia. The numbers only go up as women get older and reach menopausal and postmenopausal stages. Nevertheless, female alopecia can show up as early as women reaching thirty years of age.
How Does Female Alopecia Start Out and Progress?
Female alopecia may not be a life-threatening illness but even so, it can be a serious cause of dismay as many perceive hair loss as a detractor to their physical appeal. Thankfully, female alopecia takes place gradually. It begins with hair thinning, made more evident with an increased degree of hair shedding.
Procedures for Female Alopecia
Rarely is a biopsy needed to determine if a woman is actually suffering from female alopecia? But if a biopsy is indeed performed, this can also be used to determine whether female-patterned baldness is occurring. It is usually better if two types of hair samples are taken: one from vertical sectioning and another from horizontal sectioning.



Possible Treatments for Female Alopecia
Not all treatments for male alopecia will work well with female alopecia especially if the woman isn't in perfect health. It is best to consult with your doctor prior to taking any kind of medication or treatment for your condition. As medications and treatments are usually taken on a continuous basis, money might also be one of the important factors you should consider when choosing the optimal solution.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil wasn't originally intended to be a medication for baldness, male or female, but rather, it was a medication for high blood pressure. When subsequent studies showed hair growth as one of the side effects of Minoxidil, this led to the idea of turning it into a medication for baldness. Later on, Minoxidil was officially used for creating a topical solution for baldness and it became one of the two officially accepted treatments for baldness by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Continuous application is necessary since abrupt withdrawal or discontinuation can lead to a sudden reverse effect of all the positive results of the treatment. There are two kinds of this treatment currently available in the market: one that contains 2% Minoxidil and another containing 5% Minoxidil. The latter is said to be somewhat more effective. The best news about Minoxil is how studies show women responding more positively to the treatment compared to men.



Finasteride
Unlike Minoxidil, it is not entirely safe for Finasteride to be prescribed for treating female alopecia. One of the various side effects of taking Finasteride is causing your unborn child to suffer from severe birth defects. Finasteride is thus a danger for women who are already or might become pregnant.
Surgery
Lastly and the most expensive option of all would be surgery. Women can opt for micrografting - a process that transplants hair from other areas of the scalp to those areas suffering from female alopecia.