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Postpartum hair loss, scientifically called postpartum alopecia, is far more common than maybe most new moms realize and can be quite startling when your locks begin to shed more than you’re used to. This phenomenon begins usually a few months into motherhood and last for around 6 months postpartum. But no matter who you are or how severely you might be experiencing hair loss, in most cases, by baby’s first birthday, your locks should be growing back good as new, because no matter how scary or frustrating it might be for you during the process, I can assure its temporary. And Understanding why it happens, what foods support hair health, and how to nurture new growth can make the transition smoother and less stressful. I am a both a barber and a first time mom experiencing postpartum hairloss and I have decided to take what I’ve found during my own personal hair journey and pass it onto whoever out there might be asking the same questions as I was.

Why is my hair falling out?!

So you know how amazing our hair seemed to be during pregnancy? Have you ever wondered what was up with that? Well simply put, our estrogen levels rise during the second or third trimester causing our hair to practically stop shedding in a normal manner leaving our hair extra thick and sexy. But unfortunately it doesn’t last. Once we give birth, and our bodies try to return to normal, our hormone levels drop rapidly causing not only the hair we hung onto longer than normal to fall out, but also the additional unsuspecting strands that were just minding their own business. This ends up being why we can find clumps of hair falling out causing bald spots or receding hairlines. And as scary as it may or may not be to you, its actually completely normal. For me, I started to see a couple bald spots forming near my hairline at around 3 months postpartum, as most women will start to see it around 3 or 4 months. The hair loss lasts on average no longer than 6 months, and by baby’s first birthday you should be seeing pretty good regrowth and be on your way to feeling and looking like your old self. I’m not a doctor or in the medical industry AT ALL so I just wanna add that if your hair loss is really worrying to you or persisting longer than a year or so, be sure to consult your physician.

Improving hair health through food

I can’t sit here and tell you all that I believe there’s anything we can do to avoid hair loss after giving birth. But as someone who’s been in the hair industry for almost 20 years, I do understand that hair is science and therefore through basic hair understanding there may be things we can do to make the process easier. One way we can do this is through our diet. Nourishing our bodies with the right nutrients can support hair strength and regrowth.

Protein-Rich Foods – Hair is primarily made up of keratin which a protein. So, it would make sense that consuming more protein will aid in the regrowth process while preventing breakage and brittleness in new growth. Some protein-rich foods include eggs, lean meats, and legumes which also provide essential amino acids for hair structure.

Iron-Rich Foods – Iron is awesome for creating a healthy hair and scalp environment because it promotes blood circulation which brings oxygen to the hair. This is really important especially if you had a lot of blood loss during your delivery. Spinach, lentils, and red meat help combat iron deficiency.

d hydrated.

Vitamin C – Not only is Vitamin C key in supporting collagen that leads to stronger hair, but it also helps the absorption of Iron. So these two work better together. Team work makes the dream work! Foods with Vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries.

Vitamin D – Vitamin D aids in strong hair regrowth. Keeping in mind that postpartum hair loss is temporary, hair regrowth plays an important part in getting back to our old selves. Foods with vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yokes, and certain mushrooms like maitake and portobello. Vitamin D isn’t always easy to get from food alone so consider supplements or simply getting more sun if you’re in an area where that’s possible.

Biotin & Zinc – Biotin is crucial for the production of keratin and helps maintain scalp hydration and reduces dryness. That’s important because a healthy scalp environment is essential for strong, healthy hair to grow. Postpartum hair loss is largely driven by hormonal shifts so increasing your Zinc intake helps regulate hormone levels, which can help balance the hair growth cycle. Zinc also contributes to collagen formation, which strengthens hair structure and helps new hair strands grow healthier and more resilient. Deficiencies in both Biotin and Zinc have been linked to excessive hair loss, so getting enough can help slow down postpartum shedding. Biotin-Rich foods include eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, sweet potatoes, and whole grains and some Zinc-Rich Foods are red meat, poultry, beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, and dairy.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Ultimately Omega-3 fatty acids support hormonal balance which helps postpartum hair loss by nourishing hair follicles, reducing inflammation, strengthening hair, and improving dry scalp. The fatty acids create a healthier environment for hair regrowth.

Consider a Prenatal or Postnatal Vitamin – Don’t stop your supplements after giving birth! Supplements with key nutrients, like the ones mentioned above, can continue to support hair health.

Ways to Slow Down Hair Loss

Once you’ve started working on repairing your postpartum alopecia from the inside out through your diet, next you might want to begin taking care of the hair that’s on your head by slowing the shedding process down. So, while I don’t believe postpartum shedding can’t be entirely stopped, there are steps you can take to minimize excessive loss.

Gentle Hair Care – Alopecia is a medical term referring to hair loss, and we might be tempted to deal with our postpartum alopecia by hiding it under hats or pulling our hair up, if we’re not careful, those tactics could end up contributing to Traction alopecia. According to WebMD “Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss caused by hairstyles or other things that pull on your hair. This is most often due to wearing tight hairstyles, but it can also come from wearing caps or other items too often.” We will never be successful if we’re trying to combat alopecia with just another form of alopecia. So be sure to avoid tight hairstyles like braids or tight ponytails, chemical treatments like hair coloring, perms or relaxers, and excessive heat styling with blowdryers or flatirons.

Use a Mild Shampoo – Using shampoos with harsh sulfates, parabens, and heavy silicones can cause buildup, dry hair out, and irritate sensitive scalps. Try using a nourishing, sulfate-free, scalp-friendly shampoo like Nioxin System 4 Cleanser Shampoo or Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo to help hair recover faster!

Scalp Massages – Scalp massages help with postpartum hair loss by increasing blood circulation, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles, encouraging growth. Additionally, massaging the scalp with nourishing oils like rosemary, coconut, or castor oil can help moisturize the scalp, and create a healthy environment for regrowth. A few minutes of gentle scalp massage daily can support thicker, healthier hair over time.

Stay Hydrated & Manage Stress – Hydration is key in hair loss recovery because it helps transport essential nutrients to hair follicles, and helps flush out toxins that could contribute to hair thinning or slower regrowth. Drinking enough water keeps hair hydrated and resilient, and since postpartum hair loss is linked to hormonal shifts, staying hydrated can help regulate these processes and support overall well-being while also improving dry scalp and brittle hair. High stress levels can keep hair in the telogen (resting) phase longer, delaying regrowth. It also disrupts Hormonal Balance and restricts circulation, limiting the nutrients needed for strong hair growth.

Nurturing New Hair Growth

Now that we’ve adjusted our diet and worked on reducing the amount of shedding, we then should be focusing on creating a scalp-friendly environment to support new hair growth.

• Hair Growth Serums -–Hair growth serums can stimulate the scalp, nourish hair follicles, and strengthen new growth, making them a great tool for postpartum hair recovery. They often contain active ingredients that improve blood circulation, reduce shedding, and encourage regrowth. An option to try could be the Nutrafol Hair Serum or as a more cost effective option The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density.
• Trim Split Ends – Not only does trimming split ends help to prevent breakage and make new growth appear healthier, but it can also just make you feel really good! My advice to you, however, is to not do anything to drastic. It might be tempting to hack off all your hair in an attempt make the regrowth process easier, but think about how the haircut will workout for you in the run. So might be easier now, but difficult later.
• Hair Accessories – A big part of supporting the your retained hair and new growth is by minimizing friction that can be caused by the accessories you use on a daily basis. A silk or satin pillowcase or A bonnet can help retain moisture and minimize friction while you sleep while hair clips and satin scrunchies are gentler options in your day to day styling. Also products like Toppik comes in many colors and consists of basically fibers that can be sprinkled onto balding spots to reduce the look of hairloss.
• Be Patient – Like I mentioned before, postpartum hair loss is temporary! Don’t allow yourself to get stressed about it because that will actually make it worse. Just remember that the shedding phase lasts about 3-6 months but being proactive could possibly shorten the timeframe. Regrowth usually starts within six to twelve months but if you use that time to focus on your sweet little baby then that time should fly by!

Postpartum hair loss can be an emotional experience, but it’s a sign that your body is adjusting after pregnancy. By nourishing yourself with the right foods, practicing gentle hair care, and supporting scalp health, you can encourage strong, healthy hair regrowth. Remember, this phase is temporary, and with time, your hair will find its natural balance again.

What are some of your postpartum hairloss stories? And has anything you’ve tried worked for you? We’re building community through conversation so drop a comment below!

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Turning 40 is something I literally never thought about until it happened. Did I think I’d be in my 30s forever? Definitely not. So then what was I expecting? Entering this new decade was a mystery somehow. I had no idea how to navigate it. Seemed I immediately forgot how to dress, and dance, and just be normal much less cool. But then 41 came along and I didn’t turn into a bridge troll and I realized this next stage in life doesn’t have to be scary. So, hello light at the end of the tunnel and thanks for not being a train! Once I gained my 4th-decade-footing I began to realize how absolutely dope it is being a 40-something mellennial in this day and age. It dawned on me that there’s something truly liberating about turning 40. It’s been a time of self-discovery, confidence, and stepping into who I really am. I mean, I had a baby at 42! So I think I’m doing okay. But to fully embrace this new chapter, I think we can all agree we have to let go of what’s holding us back. Let’s move into this next era of our lives as confident as we truly can. If you’re ready to live more authentically and unapologetically, then here’s a little list I came up with of 10 things you should give up after 40—for good!

1. Caring What Others Think

One of my favorite quotes is “What other people think about me is none of my business.” I mean, by now, you’ve probably realized that you can’t please everyone, so why keep trying? At our big age we should be spending our time figuring out the things that make us happy. We should be working on ourselves so we can live fulfilled and stress free lives. And I dunno about you but I truly believe that its really never too late to decide that its okay to stop worrying about external validation and start making choices that genuinely align with your values and desires. I say from experience, that once you lift the weight of outside expectations, you will immediately feel lighter. How can we make this happen for ourselves? Well, it no doubt takes practice. But like with everything else, practice makes better =) For starters you can use daily affirmation cards, journals, or even personal mantras. (I love love love this Self-Love Workbook, I’ve used it myself and I can’t say enough about it!) Also don’t forget to say beautiful things to yourself every single morning. And don’t discount self help books or even therapy.

2. Toxic Relationships

Dump the partner! Cancel the parent! Ditch the friend! Life is too short to spend time with people who drain your energy or don’t support your growth. Look, I get it. Walking away is not always easy. A lot of times we’ve invested so much into the relationships we find ourselves in, that maybe turning away feels like erasing all the work you’ve already done. Maybe it even feels like you’re leaving someone you care about high and dry. But when you really think about it, continuing to stay in toxic relationships can be detrimental to your mental and emotional states. In some cases it can be threatening or even dangerous. And at the end of the day none of it is worth your peace. Whether it’s a friend, partner, parent or colleague, if the relationship feels toxic, it’s time to walk away. Create a safe space and surround yourself with people who uplift you and inspire you. Again trying therapy can do wonders.

3. Comparing Yourself to Others

I can probably place a pretty safe bet that a large percentage of us at some point have fallen deep into a social media doom scrolling black hole. Society has been telling women since before I can remember that we’re not skinny or tall enough. That we shouldn’t be too smart or that we need to be polite even in the face of danger. Basically that we are not and never will be good enough as we are. And since social media entered the scene its created the perfect space for us to take our media induced insecurities and carry them around in our pocket sized smart phones. Now we can compare ourselves to the perfectly polished lives of influencers all day every day. Social media makes it so insanely easy to fall into the comparison trap, but remember—what you see online is often just highlight reels. At the end of the day, your journey is uniquely yours and you need to take pride in that. Being human and imperfect is a beautiful thing and you’ll miss it if you’re too busy watching what the susie homemaker robot is doing. Focus on your own growth and celebrate how far you’ve come.

4. Chasing Perfection

I get it! There are aspects of my life where my perfectionism shines right on through! But ultimately chasing perfection is unrealistic and often fruitless so what’s even the point? Instead of striving for it, embrace progress. The absolutely beautiful and imperfect mess of the real moments of our lives are what make life beautiful. Here’s a tip: Instead of perfection, try being more direct and intentional with your goals. Instead of looking perfect, aim for looking polished, fit, or healthy. Instead of a perfect career how about a career that’s accomplished or stable. Instead of a perfect relationship maybe a fun, communicative, or safe relationship.

5. Neglecting Self-Care

One thing we’re no longer going to do to ourselves is neglect ourselves. We are worthy of care! We deserve to be kind to ourselves! Gone are the days of putting yourself last. I don’t care what anyone has told you but not only is Self-care not selfish but it is, in fact, 100% essential. Starting today you’re going to start doing a little something once a day or once a week or even once a month that is for your self care journey. You can draw a bath using some dope bath soaks or aromatherapy, enjoy a glass of wine alone in cozy pajamas, or sleep in an extra hour. Go for a nice brisk walk, sit in a sauna, or take a kick boxing class. Whether it’s skincare, exercise, or simply taking time to breathe, I am challenging you to prioritize yourself without guilt.

6. Following fashion trends & Fads

Now, look… At this stage in our lives we really need to be owning our personal style. Fashion trends that come and go are cute and all, but having a beautiful wardrobe of well fitting carefully selected pieces should be our goal. Ditch anything that doesn’t make you feel amazing and build a wardrobe that reflects your true style. If you’re not sure where to begin or have a limited budget then a capsule wardrobe is a perfect way to get started. If you’re not sure what that means, a capsule wardrobe is a small collection of key pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched to make a large number of cohesive outfits. For example, turning 20 clothing items into 60+ outfits. Check out my blog on putting together a capsule wardrobe here. But out of everything you could take away from this, always remember that confidence is timeless so lean into it!

7. Saying Yes When You Want to Say No

Saying no is, for most, one of the hardest things to master… but once you do it can also be the most freeing. We are at a point in our lives where we shouldn’t be doing things we don’t feel like doing anymore. Your time and energy are precious and you should be spending it doing things that move your spirit. I always say I’ll only do things that make me happy, make me better, or make me money. Set boundaries and say no without guilt. The people who truly respect you will understand and support the fact that you’re doing what’s good for you.

8. Holding onto Toxic Relationships

I don’t know about anyone else, but personally I just don’t have time for unhealthy and toxic relationships. I don’t believe I owe anything to anyone who doesn’t respect my bounderies, creates drama, disrespects me, or who doesn’t truly value my time or energy. I mean, those are the things I give to a friend so it’s what I expect in return. Prioritize meaningful, reciprocal relationships and release those that drain your energy or no longer align with your well-being. We deserve peace of mind and relationships that are good to us.

9. Fear of Aging

Anyone who gives me a hard time about my age is essentially someone who is giving me a hard time for not being dead yet. It baffles me that people can’t see how dope it is to get older. Aging is a privilege! We only get better as we get older and by now we really should also be happier, more relaxed, and comfortable in our skin. Shift your focus to self-care, growth, and embracing the wisdom that comes with experience.

10. Holding Onto Regrets

A song by one of my favorite bands has a song called “Forget Regret.” I love the sentiment so much I tattooed it on my arm. Sometimes there have been decisions that we’ve made, actions we’ve taken, or words we may have said that we regret. It’s easy to then hang onto that regret as a form of self punishment. How do we release ourselves from this? The past is a lesson, not a life sentence so we have to find a way to move past our transgressions. In my opinion there are at least three ways we can release regret.

1. Take accountability and apologize to the person you may have hurt or done wrong. A lot of times a genuine apology is all people are needing to hear.
2. Do something for the person who you’ve wronged in a way they would appreciate. It doesn’t erase the past but could be a way to show accountability through action.
3. Give yourself grace because sometimes we put more pressure on ourselves than those we encounter.

Let’s just remember that when it comes to the things we may regret in our lives we must learn from it, and grow from it, but not dwell on it. The best years of your life are still ahead of you and I promise you’ll want to be mentally and emotionally present for it all.

So what would I hope the biggest take away from this list is? Well, for me, it’s that turning 40 is not even close to the end. On the contrary, its just the beginning. And I really can’t think of a better way to make space for more joy and freedom then by letting go of these things and jumping in fully to the most authentic version of yourself right now. So embrace this new chapter and remember that you are always and forever the main character in your own story!

What’s something you’ve given up after 40 that has made a huge difference? Have you tried or have stories about any of my suggestions above?

Remember, we’re building community through conversation so please be kind to each other! Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

*This post may contain commissionable affiliate links at absolutely no extra cost to you

‘Curiouser and curiouser!’ cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); ‘now I’m opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye, feet!’ (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off). ‘Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I’m sure I shan’t be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself about you: you must manage the best way you can;—but I must be kind to them,’ thought Alice, ‘or perhaps they won’t walk the way I want to go! Let me see: I’ll give them a new pair of boots every Christmas.’
And she went on planning to herself how she would manage it. ‘They must go by the carrier,’ she thought; ‘and how funny it’ll seem, sending presents to one’s own feet! And how odd the directions will look!

Alice’s Right Foot, Esq.
Hearthrug,
near The Fender,
(with Alice’s love).

Oh dear, what nonsense I’m talking!’

Just then her head struck against the roof of the hall: in fact she was now more than nine feet high, and she at once took up the little golden key and hurried off to the garden door.

Poor Alice! It was as much as she could do, lying down on one side, to look through into the garden with one eye; but to get through was more hopeless than ever: she sat down and began to cry again.

‘You ought to be ashamed of yourself,’ said Alice, ‘a great girl like you,’ (she might well say this), ‘to go on crying in this way! Stop this moment, I tell you!’ But she went on all the same, shedding gallons of tears, until there was a large pool all round her, about four inches deep and reaching half down the hall.

After a time she heard a little pattering of feet in the distance, and she hastily dried her eyes to see what was coming. It was the White Rabbit returning, splendidly dressed, with a pair of white kid gloves in one hand and a large fan in the other: he came trotting along in a great hurry, muttering to himself as he came, ‘Oh! the Duchess, the Duchess! Oh! won’t she be savage if I’ve kept her waiting!’ Alice felt so desperate that she was ready to ask help of any one; so, when the Rabbit came near her, she began, in a low, timid voice, ‘If you please, sir—’ The Rabbit started violently, dropped the white kid gloves and the fan, and skurried away into the darkness as hard as he could go.

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’

So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.

There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!’ (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again.
The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well.

Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything; then she looked at the sides of the well, and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; here and there she saw maps and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was labelled ‘ORANGE MARMALADE’, but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to drop the jar for fear of killing somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell past it.