Motherhood is perhaps one of the sweetest transitions in a woman’s life, but among feedings, changings and sleep deprivation new mothers may find themselves quite surprised to find hands-full of hair clogging their showers, thin spots along their temples or simply less hair all-around. If this is you, please know that you are definitely not the only one. Postpartum hair loss is a very common symptom of being a new mother and typically regresses on its own, but for some women it simply does not subside and that is when you may and can seek further options.
What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?
Pregnancy, with increased levels of estrogen actually holds the hair for a longer than usual period, causing minimal loss and fuller/thicker hair. Post-pregnancy estrogen
levels fall dramatically and all hair that has been held during pregnancy sheds all at the same time. This condition is known as ‘telogen effluvium’ which typically begins around 2-4 months post-childbirth and can last from 6 months up to a year.
Although frightening, this is purely hormonal, and for the most part, hair returns to normal density in a year. The real worry is if the hair does not return or the shedding becomes something of an anomaly
When Is It More Than Just Postpartum Shedding?
Not all hair loss post-childbirth is transient, in some cases the loss is more persistent, and in fact an indicator of an underlying problem. If you find that:
- Your hair loss persists far beyond the twelve-month postpartum period
- You can see the shedding is making your crown thinner or your part wider
- Your hair line is noticeably receding
- There is little or no re-growth even after a year of the loss
- The condition of the thyroid, iron deficiency, or androgenetic alopecia is evident in you.
Then, you should now know it isn’t after childbirth that your hair is being lost but that some hormonal imbalance triggered or uncovered the condition like the androgenetic alopecia, for which treatment is now indicated.
Non-Surgical Options to Try First
However, before undergoing the option of surgery, most medical practitioners suggest that these non-invasive treatment options be considered.
Topical minoxidil: A very well documented and very successful treatment for reducing hair loss and stimulating hair growth in women.
PRP therapy: This is where your own blood plasma is used in order to stimulate follicles.
Nutritional correction: Adjustments to your iron, biotin, vitamin D and zinc levels can produce outstanding results if they are the cause.
LLLT: Low level laser therapy stimulates hair growth by encouraging blood flow to the scalp which helps re-energize your hair follicles.
All treatments must involve using either of the above if there is some sort of viability within the follicles themselves; otherwise, you won’t get any hair regrowth.
When Should You See a Hair Transplant Surgeon in Delhi?
First, a hair transplant is never the first approach to tackle postpartum hair loss, but there are times when seeing a hair transplant surgeon in Delhi is indeed reasonable.
Candidates can be suitable for hair transplant in Delhi if:
- It has been more than 18 months from delivery but hair still has not returned to original density
- Less than 6-12 months, when you used non-surgical methods consistently with no visible benefit
- you are experiencing a thinning pattern on the top of the head or temples which is bothering you and affecting your confidence.
- A dermatologist has said that the roots of your hair follicles are no longer viable.
- You do not plan another pregnancy in the near future as the hormonal shifts related to a new pregnancy can have a bearing on transplant success.
Get yourself evaluated by the surgeon to see what the situation with your hair is, its pattern and extent, as well as the condition of the donor hair, before deciding whether a hair transplant is the best method for you.
Female Hair Transplant in Delhi: What You Need to Know
The basic difference lies in their patterns of hair loss; the male has very specific patterns of hair loss. Therefore, the selection of the donor is easier. However, in women, their hair loss is diffuse all over the scalp; this can lead to the donor area also suffering from hair loss, hence the requirement for a woman specialist, who has a perfect understanding of how women are affected. Dr A’s Clinic practice techniques like FUSE (Follicular Unit Separation Extraction) where individual follicular units are harvested using finer punches with minimal scarring. A no-shave/partial-shave technique is used for women to allow minimal change to appearance. The follicular units are inserted naturally along the growing hair to fill the thinning areas and make the hair look denser and more natural. The results of female hair transplant will start appearing after 6-9 months; the results at their optimum appear after 12-15 months.
Hair Transplant Cost for Women in India
The most significant worry, among all women considering hair transplant for women, has been the price. In India, the hair transplant cost for women in India will vary with the extent of hair loss and the number of grafts and procedure you undergo. Dr A’s Clinic, one of the popular ones, with a branch in Delhi calculates hair transplant cost for women per graft. Some women with density corrections on a few patches, will generally need lesser number of grafts as against widespread thinning in women. A consultation with the doctor will give you an idea about how many grafts you’ll actually need and their costing. Never look for cheap hair transplant as the final procedure of hair transplant for women is permanent.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard losing hair after pregnancy but this does not mean it has to last forever. Most women get back their full head of hair with the correct treatment over time, but if time has gone by and the hair hasn’t returned – or if bald patches have occurred that damage your confidence – you should be aware that hair transplants are an option. A hair transplant can only occur if you’ve been assessed by a doctor and your hormones are in the right place. The correct technique and surgeon coupled with the correct timing will make all the difference. Dr A’s Clinic has specialists ready to inform you exactly what your situation is, so you will get a hair transplant that works and gets your hair – and your confidence – back.