Supporting New Mothers Experiencing Postpartum Hair Loss – Expert Commentary

A new mum experiencing postpartum hair loss and wondering what the solution is - Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring Shampoo & Conditioner

Thinning Hair & Hair Loss

Noticing more hair in the shower drain or hairbrush since having your baby? You’re not imagining it, and you’re far from alone. In this expert commentary, Amit Saha, Registered Pharmacist and Head of Technical & Innovation at Dermal Therapy, explains why postpartum hair shedding happens, why it’s almost always temporary, and how the right support can help new mothers through this distressing but normal stage.

Key Takeaways

A Normal, Temporary Stage: Postpartum hair shedding is medically known as telogen effluvium and is driven by the natural drop in hormone levels after childbirth. In most cases it resolves on its own without medical treatment.

It’s Hormonal, Not Permanent: As oestrogen returns to pre-pregnancy levels, a greater number of hair follicles enter the shedding phase of the growth cycle, which is why hair loss can feel sudden and alarming.

Support Makes a Difference: A nutritious diet, addressing nutritional deficiencies, gentle styling and products that nourish the scalp and support the hair growth cycle can all help new mothers manage this stage with reassurance.

What is postpartum hair loss?

Hair shedding is a common concern among women in the months following childbirth. Known medically as telogen effluvium, this temporary condition occurs as hormonal levels particularly estrogen, return to their pre-pregnancy state, causing a greater number of hair follicles to enter the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.

How can new mothers manage it?

In most instances, postpartum hair loss resolves on its own without the need for medical treatment. While you wait for your hair to return to normal, there are several practical things you can do to support your hair health: maintaining a nutritious diet, addressing any nutritional deficiencies, minimising excessive heat styling, and choosing products that add volume and improve the appearance of fuller hair.

If your hair loss feels severe or prolonged, it’s always worth speaking to your pharmacist or GP for reassurance and advice.

What additional support is available?

If you’re looking for extra support, hair restoration formulations such as the Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring range offer new options. These products are designed to nourish the scalp, strengthen existing hair and encourage healthier hair by helping optimise the hair growth cycle. While postpartum hair loss is usually temporary, it can be a distressing stage – so if you have any concerns, your pharmacist or GP is always there to offer guidance and reassurance.

Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring Range

For new mothers seeking additional support, the Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring range is formulated to nourish the scalp, strengthen existing hair and help optimise the hair production cycle.

Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring Serum

Backed by Science: Formulated with two clinically tested active complexes designed to help reduce hair loss and stimulate hair, with efficacy confirmed by trial.
Dual Active Complex: Contains a Vitamin B-complex and essential elements – key hair nutrients – plus Redensyl™, a hair-stimulating ingredient that targets hair at the cellular level.
Easy to Use: A leave-on, non-greasy serum applied daily to the scalp, with visible results in 12 weeks.

Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring Shampoo & Conditioner

Advanced Caffeine Formula: A 2-in-1 formula with caffeine to stimulate hair, helping strengthen thinning, damaged or brittle hair.
Gentle Daily Cleanser: Free from soap and SLS, making it easy to integrate into a daily routine.
Nourishing Nutrients: Contains Vitamin B-complex and essential elements to support hair follicle balance.

For best results, the Serum and the Shampoo & Conditioner are designed to be used together as a complete hair restoring system.

Relevant articles

FAQs for New Mothers Experiencing Postpartum Hair Loss

Postpartum hair loss, medically known as telogen effluvium, is a temporary condition where a greater number of hair follicles enter the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle. It occurs as hormone levels – particularly oestrogen – return to their pre-pregnancy state after childbirth.

Shedding commonly becomes noticeable in the months following childbirth and typically settles as the hair cycle returns to its normal rhythm. In most instances it resolves without the need for medical treatment.

No. For the vast majority of new mothers, postpartum hair loss is temporary and hair density gradually recovers over the following months as the cycle rebalances.

Helpful strategies include maintaining a nutritious diet, addressing any nutritional deficiencies, minimising excessive heat styling, being gentle with your hair, and choosing products that nourish the scalp and support fuller-looking hair, such as the Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring range.

Because postpartum hair loss is temporary and usually resolves on its own, there’s no single “cure” – the goal is to support your hair while the growth cycle rebalances. A nutritious diet, addressing any nutritional deficiencies, gentle styling and minimising heat damage all help.

For extra support, hair restoration formulations such as the Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring range are designed to nourish the scalp, strengthen existing hair and help optimise the hair growth cycle. The Hair Restoring Serum and Hair Restoring Shampoo & Conditioner are designed to be used together for best results.

Washing your hair won’t cause or worsen postpartum hair loss – the hairs you see in the shower were already destined to shed. There’s no need to wash less out of fear of losing more; sticking to your normal routine with a gentle cleanser is best.

Avoid harsh products and excessive heat styling, and be gentle when brushing wet hair. A gentle, nourishing option like the Dermal Therapy Hair Restoring Shampoo & Conditioner – which is free from soap and SLS – cleanses the scalp while supporting hair health, and is suitable for daily use.

If hair loss is severe, prolonged, or accompanied by other symptoms, it’s worth speaking to a GP or pharmacist, who can offer reassurance and check for other contributing factors.

Written by

Amit Saha

Amit Saha is a Registered Pharmacist (B-Pharm (Hons), M-Pharm, MBA, MPS) and member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) & Australian Society of Cosmetic Chemist (ASCC) with expertise in clinical pharmacy practice, pharmacology, drug interaction and toxicology.

LinkedIn Profile More about the author