Postpartum Hair Loss & Shedding: Hair Health Tips from our CEO Candera Thompson

"Like many other women, I went through that phase of excessive hair loss and shedding after pregnancy."

Postpartum hair loss and shedding became my motivation to create Bask & Bloom Essentials. I wanted a full line of products to help women bounce back to healthy hair after childbirth.
I'm very sure women like you, can relate to the changes our hair and bodies go through for up to a year after giving birth. Today, I'm sharing with you all the hair health tips that worked for me to achieve a healthy natural hair!

First, let me start by saying postpartum shedding is normal. It's nothing to "fight" or prevent. Normally your hair is either in its growing stage or resting stage. But with higher estrogen levels during pregnancy, it stays in the growing stage a bit longer. About 3 to 6 months after giving birth your hair goes into the resting stage, which means all the excess hairs that was not shedding normally (about 100 strands per day) are now leaving your head.

If your hormones are going super crazy like mine did, you can end up with more than just postpartum shedding. I had postpartum hair loss too! Some areas of my hair were completely gone resulting in me having to cut it in style. I opted for a tapered cut with my last two kids because majority of the side and back were already gone, including a chunk in the middle.

Below was my postpartum hair regrowth routine:

1. Continue taking prenatal vitamins or a vitamin supplement - don't make any drastic changes once you give birth.  Your body is already doing it's thing adjusting to not being pregnant anymore and it can take up to a full year of recovery.  The balance of vitamins will help in the regrowth stage.
2. Establish a quick & easy regimen - Wash, condition and moisturize. I kept it very simple with adding a little hair oil to my style & my ends every 3 days. My ends felt really dry and brittle, as if I had a bad color job. This happened every time so I stayed away from additional styling products such as gel, mousse etc.  Moisturizer only to style for at least 6 months. I suggest our More Moisture Cream that doubles as a leave in.
3. Opt for low manipulation hairstyles - I know when we are very close to giving birth the last thing we want to do is worry about hair, a protective style during this time is fine and even up to a month after giving birth. Around 3 months is when postpartum shedding appears and I don't suggest a protective style unless you're wearing your own hair around this time. Mini braids or twists that aren't too tight or weighing on your head works best.
4. Use a deep treatment/conditioner instead of using rinse out conditioner -  This has been the number one game changer for me. I no longer use quick rinse out conditioners in my regimen. I wash my hair every 8 to 10 days and refresh around day 4. The Brahmi Root Hair Masque is regularly a part of wash day. This product not only nourishes but also contains strengthening herbs and mild protein that helps tremendously in hair length retention.
5. Massage your scalp (you can use hair oils) - This is the best way to stimulate your hair follicles and increase blood flow while wearing low manipulation hairstyles. Another herbal treat that I love for this option is our Herbal Infused Hair & Scalp Oil. You want an oil formula with ingredients that are scalp-friendly as many of them can clog your pores.  We made sure to include oils like and extracts your scalp will feel and love.  If you are prone to dryness then only apply when your scalp is damp to lock in water/moisture. I have started using the Hy-Fresh Conditioning Spray on my hair and scalp when I refresh my style on day 4, it gives my hair follicles the boost needed until wash day.
6. Eat healthy (protein) and remain stress-free - What seems like impossible after giving birth is the most important.  Your diet and stress level does affect your hair so plan healthy, quick snacks to get your nutrients instead of focusing on big meals during the first six months.  Say "no" to anything that is not helping to keep your stress level down, this is the time to truly focus on your health all around so make sure you are firm in taking care of you.

I hope these tips will help you on your journey to bouncy back! As always, our Customer Service is team is available to help you determine the best regimen for your hair needs.  Email us at: help@baskandbloomessentials.com