Updated: November 2025

Your compassionate, science-backed guide to understanding postpartum hair loss and taking back control of your hair health after baby

Hey there, mama.

Congratulations on your beautiful new baby. You've just accomplished something absolutely incredible, and you deserve to feel amazing about it.

But if you're standing in the shower watching more hair go down the drain than usual, or noticing your part getting wider, or your ponytail feeling thinner, you might not be feeling so amazing right now.

Here's what I want you to know immediately: what you're experiencing is completely normal, incredibly common, and almost always temporary. You're not going bald. Your hair isn't broken forever. Your body is simply going through a predictable, temporary shift, and there are real, evidence-based things you can do to support recovery.

Let's talk about what's actually happening to your hair, why it's happening, and exactly how to get your thick, lustrous hair back.

Understanding Postpartum Hair Loss: The Science

Why Hair Loss After Birth Is Normal

During pregnancy, elevated hormones (especially estrogen) kept more of your hair in the active growth phase. Your hair probably looked absolutely gorgeous during pregnancy, right? Thicker, shinier, fuller.

Then after birth, hormones dropped dramatically. This sudden hormonal shift triggers a synchronized shedding event called telogen effluvium.

Here's what's happening:

Your hair growth cycle has three phases. During pregnancy, most of your hair stayed in the growth phase. After birth, many of those hairs simultaneously shift to the resting phase. Two to four months later, all that resting hair sheds at once.

It looks like a lot of hair loss because, well, it is. But it's not permanent. It's your body recalibrating to its new hormonal reality.

The Statistics: You're Part of the Majority

Over 90% of women experience some degree of postpartum hair shedding. This isn't rare. This is normal.

Peak shedding typically occurs around 3-6 months postpartum. If that's where you are right now, you're right on schedule.

The good news? Most women see significant improvement by 9-12 months postpartum. Your hair isn't gone. It's coming back.

Beyond Hormones: The Nutritional Stress

Postpartum hair loss isn't just about hormones. Pregnancy and birth create massive nutritional demands on your body.

Your body prioritized:

• Growing and sustaining a human

• Supporting milk production

• Recovering from the physical stress of birth

Your hair got deprioritised.

Additionally, new motherhood stress elevates cortisol, which disrupts the hair growth cycle. Sleep deprivation, emotional stress, and physical recovery all compound the effect.

This is why postpartum hair loss isn't just a hormonal issue. It's a perfect storm of hormonal shift, nutritional depletion, and stress.

The Role of Keratin in Postpartum Hair Recovery

What Keratin Does

Keratin is the structural protein that makes up 90% of your hair. It provides strength, elasticity, and resilience.

During pregnancy and postpartum recovery, your body's keratin production can decrease due to nutritional demands, stress, and hormonal changes.

When keratin levels drop, your hair becomes:

• More prone to breakage

• Less elastic

• Duller and lifeless

• Slower to grow back

How Functional Keratin™ Supports Recovery

Functional Keratin™ works by providing your body with bioavailable keratin (91% bio-identical to your hair's natural keratin) plus triggering the expression of collagen IV and collagen VII.

These specific collagens are the anchoring proteins found around your hair follicle.

The mechanism:

When you supplement with Functional Keratin™, your body gets:

1. Immediate building blocks for rebuilding damaged hair structure

2. Signals to produce more collagen IV and VII, strengthening follicle anchoring

3. Protective amino acids (glutathione, taurine) that reduce stress and inflammation

4. Support for your body's natural recovery process

The result is stronger hair, deeper follicle anchoring, and less shedding.

The Clinical Evidence

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 65 women found that Functional Keratin™ produced measurable results within 60 days:

• 43.1% reduction in hair loss

• 17.61% increase in hair cortex integrity (actual hair strength)

• Better follicle anchoring, meaning hair stayed rooted in the scalp

For postpartum women, these results translate to real recovery within the critical 3-6 month window.

The Complete Postpartum Hair Recovery Strategy

1. Support Your Body Nutritionally

Your body depleted significant nutrient stores during pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum (especially if breastfeeding).

Prioritise:

• Protein: 1g per kg body weight daily (your hair is made of it)

• Iron: Critical if you experienced blood loss during birth or have heavy periods

• Biotin: Supports keratin production

• Vitamin D: Many postpartum women are deficient

• Zinc: Essential for hair tissue repair

• Vitamin C: Supports collagen synthesis

Food sources:

• Lean red meat (protein, iron, zinc)

• Eggs (protein, biotin, vitamin D)

• Leafy greens (iron, vitamins)

• Fatty fish (omega-3s, vitamin D)

• Nuts and seeds (zinc, biotin)

If you're breastfeeding, these nutrients are even more critical.

2. Supplement With Functional Keratin™

Beyond diet, targeted supplementation provides the specific protein your hair needs to recover during this critical postpartum window.

Why it matters postpartum:

Your body is depleted and stressed. Functional Keratin™ provides exactly what your hair follicles need without requiring your body to produce it from scratch.

Clinical studies show Functional Keratin™ reduces postpartum shedding by 43% within 60 days.

Most women see significant improvement by 90 days.

3. Manage Stress and Sleep

This is not optional. Stress directly impacts hair loss.

Elevated cortisol during stress keeps hair in the shedding phase longer.

Practical steps:

• Sleep: Prioritise 7-9 hours nightly when possible. Hair grows during sleep. Sleep deprivation worsens shedding

• Movement: Gentle exercise (walks, yoga, stretching) reduces cortisol and supports recovery

• Connection: Talk to your partner, friends, healthcare provider. Postpartum support matters

• Boundaries: Say no to non-essential commitments. Protect your recovery time

• Mindfulness: Even 5 minutes daily of breathing or meditation reduces stress hormones

4. Gentle Hair Care

While your hair is recovering, protect it from additional stress.

Do:

• Use a wide-tooth comb, never brush wet hair

• Apply leave-in conditioner before washing

• Use sulfate-free, naturally-derived shampoos (like Kiri10's 97% naturally-derived formulas)

• Pat hair dry gently, never rub vigorously

• Avoid tight hairstyles that create tension

• Minimise heat styling

Avoid:

• Harsh or clarifying shampoos

• Tight ponytails or braids

• Blow dryers and flat irons

• Rough brushing

• Chemical treatments or colouring

5. Stay Hydrated

Water supports nutrient transport to hair follicles and aids overall recovery.

Aim for at least 2-3 litres daily, more if breastfeeding.

Timeline: What to Expect

Months 1-2 Postpartum:

Most women don't notice hair changes yet. Your body is recovering from birth.

Months 3-5 Postpartum:

Peak shedding begins. You might notice more hair in your brush, shower drain, or pillow. This is normal and expected.

Start supplementing with Functional Keratin™ now if you haven't already.

Months 6-9 Postpartum:

Shedding slows as weight stabilizes and hormones settle. New growth becomes visible.

With Functional Keratin™ support, you'll likely notice significant improvement by this point.

Months 10-12 Postpartum:

Most women see full hair recovery. New hair growth is visible, volume returns, and confidence rebounds.

For many women using Functional Keratin™, improvement is dramatic by month 9-12.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most postpartum hair loss resolves naturally. However, consult your healthcare provider if:

• Hair loss continues without improvement beyond 12 months

• You're experiencing sudden bald patches (not typical diffuse shedding)

• Hair loss is accompanied by extreme fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or cold intolerance (possible thyroid issues)

• The emotional impact is severe enough to affect your wellbeing

A healthcare provider can check for thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, or other conditions that might be contributing.

Self-Compassion During Recovery: This Matters Too

Here's something equally important as the nutrition and supplementation: be kind to yourself.

Postpartum is a massive transition. Your body has done something extraordinary. Your hormones are recalibrating. Your life has changed completely. And your hair is shedding.

This doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human.

Some gentle reminders:

• Your worth is not measured by your hair thickness

• This is temporary (most recover fully by 12 months)

• You're not vain for wanting to feel confident in your appearance

• Taking care of yourself is taking care of your baby (you can't pour from an empty cup)

• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness

• You're doing better than you think

Postpartum is hard. Adding hair loss to the mix can feel like the final straw. But you're going to get through this, and your hair will come back.

The Complete Recovery Toolkit

Nutrition:

• Protein with every meal

• Iron-rich foods

• Biotin, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C

• 2-3 litres of water daily

Supplementation:

• Functional Keratin™ for targeted hair support

• Consider additional iron if deficient

Stress Management:

• Prioritise sleep (7-9 hours when possible)

• Gentle movement

• Social connection

• Professional support if needed

Hair Care:

• Gentle handling

• Sulfate-free products

• Minimal heat styling

• Protective leave-in conditioning

Mindset:

• Self-compassion

• Realistic timeline expectations

• Understanding this is temporary

• Celebrating non-hair victories (your baby, your strength, your recovery)

Support:

• Talk to your partner, friends, healthcare provider

• Connect with other postpartum women

• Reach out if you're struggling emotionally

Real Recovery Stories: You're Not Alone

Thousands of postpartum women have recovered from hair loss using this comprehensive approach. You will too.

The key is consistency, patience, and self-compassion.

Start supplementing with Functional Keratin™ during the peak shedding months (3-6 postpartum). Support your body nutritionally. Manage stress where possible. Be gentle with your hair and yourself.

By month 9-12, most women see dramatic improvement. By month 18-24, most are back to pre-pregnancy hair or better.

You're stronger than you think, mama. Your hair will come back. And you're going to feel amazing again.

Resources and Support

If you're struggling emotionally with postpartum hair loss or postpartum recovery in general:

• Mothers Matter NZ: Mothers Matter Postpartum Support - Free support and resources for postpartum women

• Your GP or Healthcare Provider: They can check for postpartum thyroid issues, iron deficiency, and other conditions

• Postpartum Support International: Online community and resources for postpartum women

• Local Postpartum Support Groups: Connection with other women navigating the same journey

You don't have to do this alone. Reach out for help if you need it.

The Bottom Line: You've Got This

Postpartum hair loss is frustrating, stressful, and confidence-deflating. But it's also temporary, treatable, and something you have real power over.

By combining excellent nutrition, targeted Functional Keratin™ supplementation, stress management, gentle hair care, and self-compassion, you can dramatically accelerate recovery and feel like yourself again.

Your body just accomplished something incredible. Your hair is going to bounce back. And you're going to feel amazing again.

Keep your head up, mama. You are strong. You are amazing. You've absolutely got this.

Welcome to the Kiri10 community. We're rooting for you.