The month for moms

Did you know that May has the most public holidays? No joke - May is almost one holiday after another: Labor Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Father's Day ... and of course Mother's Day.

But in between all these festive days, we dedicate May especially to the heroines of our everyday lives - mothers.

Because let's be honest: without them, we wouldn't even be here. They are our first great love, our strongest protector, our most patient teacher - and our very own personal heroine.

But did you know that your mother may have lost hair because of you?

Sounds dramatic? It is a bit - but there is actually more to it than meets the eye.

It all starts with the "pregnancy glow"

When a new life grows in a woman's belly, many things change - including her hair! The famous pregnancy mane is not a myth. It is caused by the increase in oestrogen levels. This hormone ensures that hair remains in the growth phase for longer and therefore appears thicker, shinier and more voluminous.

Many pregnant women enjoy a real "hair splendor" during this time. Their hair looks healthier, stronger and is usually easier to style - almost like in the shampoo commercial.

But, as is so often the case in life, not every experience is the same. Some women experience the exact opposite - hair loss during pregnancy.

Why does hair fall out during pregnancy?

In rare cases, women complain of increased hair loss during pregnancy. This can have very different reasons:

1. hormonal changes
The interaction between oestrogen and the corpus luteum hormone (progesterone) in particular influences hair growth. In some women, this hormonal balance can be upset - with the result that the hair follicles switch to the resting phase at the same time and fall out together.

2. stopping the contraceptive pill
If you become pregnant immediately after stopping the contraceptive pill, you may also suffer from hair loss. The body is used to the artificially increased oestrogen level. If this suddenly drops, the skin and hair also become unbalanced.

3. iron deficiency
A growing baby needs nutrients - and lots of them! Iron in particular is heavily stressed during pregnancy. If the supply is insufficient, unimportant bodily functions are "switched off" first. And yes, unfortunately this also includes beautiful hair.

4. stress
A lot of things are new and exciting - and sometimes overwhelming - especially with a first child. Emotional or physical stress can also have an impact on hair growth. The result: stress-related hair loss.

After the birth - When the hair suddenly goes

While pregnancy leads to more beautiful hair for many women, the situation is unfortunately often different after giving birth. The oestrogen level drops rapidly. The hair that was previously "held" thanks to the hormones now goes into the resting phase at the same time.

This resting phase lasts about 2-3 months. After that, a lot of hair falls out at once. This sounds frightening at first - but it is completely normal.

Basically, this is not "additional" hair loss, but just hair that you have kept longer than usual. After around six to nine months, the cycle usually regulates itself again - provided the body is healthy and gets what it needs.

Important to know: In the professional world, this is deliberately referred to as hair loss and not hair loss. So your hair is not gone - in most cases it grows back normally.

And what about breastfeeding?

A frequently asked question: Does breastfeeding have an effect on hair loss?

The short answer: indirectly, yes - but not negatively . If you breastfeed for longer, the hormone decline is slower. As a result, hair loss may occur later - i.e. not immediately after the birth, but when you stop breastfeeding. This can help you to concentrate on other things after the birth.

What you can do against postpartum hair loss

First of all, don't panic! Hair loss after giving birth is completely natural. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can do to support your hair and yourself during this time:

• Be patient: Give your body time. Hormonal changes take months, not weeks.

• Replenish nutrients: Make sure you eat a balanced diet with plenty of iron, biotin, zinc and vitamin D.

• Reduce stress: Easier said than done - but small time-outs, walks or short rest periods help.

• Gentle hair care: Avoid aggressive shampoos, heat tools or tight braids.

• Massages: A gentle head massage stimulates blood circulation and can promote hair growth.

Mental load: Hair loss is a burden - but you're not alone

Yes, hair loss is visible. And yes, it can put a strain on your self-confidence - especially at a time when you're juggling between diapers, breastfeeding and lack of sleep anyway.

But: You are not alone. Many mothers experience the same thing. Talk about it, share your experiences and get help if you feel like you're in over your head - literally or emotionally.

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This May belongs to you

May stands for new beginnings, blossoming and growth. Perhaps a good reason to celebrate yourself - for all that you do in your everyday life as a mom. You deserve gratitude, recognition and above all: time for yourself.

But we know how stressful hair loss can be and hope we have been able to answer your questions and take the burden off your shoulders. Otherwise, register for a free initial analysis so that we can take a closer look at your hair loss. 

We wish all moms a wonderful Mother's Day from the bottom of our hearts!

May it be filled with love, smiles and maybe even a few minutes of peace.

Your HAARKLINIK

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