The first few months with a new baby are a blur of wonder and exhaustion. You're learning a tiny new person, running on little sleep, and navigating a completely new version of life. Then one day, you look in the mirror or at your hairbrush and feel a jolt of panic. There's so much hair. Way more than usual.
I'm Brisa, owner of Foxtail Hair Salon and a hair loss specialist. I can't tell you how many new moms from Pearland, Shadow Creek Ranch, and all over the Houston area have sat in my chair with that exact same fear in their eyes.
Last fall, my client Jessica came in four months after having her baby. She was shaking. She put a Ziploc bag on my counter full of hair. She said, "Brisa, this is from one shower. Am I going bald?"
I looked at the bag, then at her. I said, "Jessica, take a deep breath. This is incredibly common. You are not going bald."
She started crying. She said, "I thought something was wrong with me."
Let me start by telling you what I tell them: What you're experiencing is incredibly common, and you are not alone. It has a name, and more importantly, it has solutions.
We're going to walk through what's really happening to your hair and how we can get you back to feeling confident and beautiful during this wild, precious time.
You're Not Losing Hair, You're Shedding It
That probably sounds like the same thing, but there's a key difference.
Jessica said to me, "What's the difference? Hair is falling out either way."
I said, "Jessica, during pregnancy, your hormones go into overdrive. You know how amazing your hair felt when you were pregnant?"
She said, "Oh my god, yes. It was so thick and shiny."
I said, "That's because your body essentially pressed pause on your hair's natural shedding cycle. Instead of losing the average 80 to 100 hairs a day, you hung onto almost all of them."
During pregnancy, your hormones, specifically estrogen, do this.
After you give birth, your hormone levels drop back to their pre-pregnancy state. It's like the pause button is released, and all the hair that should have shed over the last nine months gets the signal to leave at once.
Jessica said, "So all the hair I should have lost during pregnancy is falling out now?"
I said, "Exactly. This sudden, heavy shedding is called telogen effluvium. It's not hair loss in the sense that your follicles are damaged. It's simply your body getting back on its regular schedule. It feels dramatic, but it's a temporary phase."
The Postpartum Hair Timeline: What to Expect
Every woman's body is different, but there's a general timeline I see with my clients.
Jessica asked me, "When will this stop?"
It usually kicks in around three to four months after your baby arrives. This timing often catches moms off guard because they're just starting to get into a rhythm.
The shedding can feel most intense between four and six months postpartum. This is when you'll notice it most in the shower or on your pillow.
Jessica said, "That's exactly where I am now. Four months."
I said, "Jessica, you're right in the thick of it. But the good news is, for most women, the shedding gradually decreases and returns to normal by the time their baby celebrates their first birthday."
The thinning is often concentrated around the temples and hairline.
Jessica touched her temples. She said, "Yes! It's so thin here. I hate it."
I said, "Those are going to grow back. You'll see fuzzy little baby hairs start coming in. That's a great sign that your body is recovering."
The regrowth phase is a journey in itself. Those new hairs can be fuzzy and have a mind of their own. But seeing them is a great sign.
Solutions to Help You Through the Shed
Waiting for your hair to grow back can feel like an eternity, especially when you're already feeling unlike yourself.
Jessica said, "I can't wait a year. I need to feel like myself now."
I said, "Jessica, you don't have to just wait it out. We have real, practical strategies to help you feel amazing right now."
Immediate confidence boosters: Styling and scalp care
Simple changes can make a huge difference. Sometimes, a fresh haircut is all you need to create the look of more volume.
I gave Jessica a textured bob. When I finished, she said, "Brisa, it looks so much fuller! I can't believe just a haircut made this much difference."
A chic, textured bob or some soft layers can remove weight and give your hair more life.
This is also the time to focus on scalp health. A healthy scalp is the foundation for strong, healthy regrowth.
I recommended a scalp treatment to Jessica. She came in two weeks later and said, "My scalp feels so much healthier. I think the new hair is growing in stronger."
At home, be gentle. Avoid tight ponytails or buns that can pull on fragile hairs, especially around your hairline.
For more volume and coverage: The extension option
Jessica asked me, "Can I even get extensions while my hair is falling out?"
I said, "Yes, but only with the right method and a specialist who understands postpartum hair."
The answer is yes, but only with the right method and a certified specialist who understands postpartum hair.
This is my specialty. I work with new mothers to find safe, effective ways to restore volume.
Methods like our hand-tied hair extensions use lightweight wefts that distribute weight evenly across the head. This puts minimal tension on your natural hair.
Jessica got hand-tied extensions six months postpartum. When I finished installing them, she stared at herself in the mirror. She said, "Brisa, I look like me again. I forgot what that felt like."
It's a way to bridge the gap, helping you look and feel like yourself when you need that confidence boost the most.
Your Top Postpartum Hair Questions, Answered
Over the years, I've heard it all. Here are some of the most common questions from new moms sitting in my chair.
Will my hair ever go back to normal?
Jessica asked me this during her first appointment. She looked terrified.
I said, "Jessica, for the vast majority of women, yes. Your hair density should return to its pre-pregnancy state."
For the vast majority of women, yes. Some women notice a slight change in texture, maybe a little more wave or a different feel, but your hair will recover.
Can I still get my hair colored?
Absolutely. We just approach it with extra care.
My client Amanda came in five months postpartum. She said, "I have so much gray coming in from the stress. Can I color it?"
I said, "Yes, but this isn't the time for a drastic change. Let's do a gentle root shadow to blend your color beautifully."
A color consultation is the perfect first step so we can assess your hair's condition and make a plan.
Are extensions heavy or damaging to shedding hair?
Not when they are installed correctly by a specialist who prioritizes hair health.
Jessica was worried about this. She said, "I don't want to damage my hair more."
I said, "Jessica, my focus is always on protecting your natural hair. We use methods designed specifically for fine or fragile hair."
Six months later, when we removed her extensions for maintenance, her natural hair had grown back thick and healthy. She said, "The extensions didn't damage my hair at all. It actually looks better than before I got pregnant."
Is there anything else I can do?
Be kind to yourself. Fuel your body with good nutrition, stay hydrated, and continue taking your prenatal vitamins as recommended by your doctor.
Jessica texted me a year after her baby was born. It was a photo of her with thick, healthy hair. The message said, "My hair is back! Thank you for getting me through the hardest part."
Your body has done an amazing thing, and recovery takes time. Your hair is just one part of that process.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
You are navigating one of the biggest transitions of your life. Worrying about your hair should be the last thing on your mind.
If you're struggling with postpartum shedding and just want to talk to someone who gets it, that's what we're here for.
Come see us at Foxtail Hair Salon. Let's sit down, look at your hair, and make a personalized plan that makes you feel confident and beautiful.
Ready to talk? You can book a postpartum hair loss consultation with me at Foxtail Hair Salon, located at 2111 North Main Street, Pearland, Texas 77581. Or just give the salon a call at 832-295-3821.
We can't wait to help you.