Postpartum hair shedding gets plenty of attention. Postpartum lash thinning? Not so much.
After pregnancy, you may notice more hair in your brush, shower or around your home. At the same time, your eyelashes may look less full than they did during pregnancy.
It can feel alarming, especially after months of having thicker-looking hair.
But there is a reason these changes can happen.
The months after pregnancy involve major hormonal shifts. Those changes can affect the normal hair cycle and lead to a period of increased shedding.
Your scalp hair is usually the focus of the conversation, but the same broader changes in the hair cycle may also affect the appearance of other body hair, including your eyelashes.
Quick Answer: Why Does Postpartum Hair and Lash Thinning Happen?
During pregnancy, higher estrogen levels can keep more scalp hairs in the growth phase for longer. After giving birth, estrogen levels fall and more hairs can shift into the shedding phase.
This can lead to noticeable postpartum shedding, often a few months after delivery.
Postpartum shedding is generally temporary. Most women gradually regain their usual hair fullness over time.
If your eyelashes also appear less full after pregnancy, changes in the hair cycle may contribute. However, persistent lash loss, patchy loss or significant changes should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
What Happens to Your Hair During Pregnancy?
Many people notice thicker, fuller-looking hair during pregnancy.
That doesn't necessarily mean you're suddenly growing dramatically more hair.
Instead, hormonal changes can alter the normal hair cycle.
Hair naturally moves through different phases:
- Growth phase
- Transition phase
- Resting and shedding phase
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can keep more hairs in the growth phase for longer. As a result, fewer hairs may shed during that time.
That can make your hair look noticeably fuller.
What Happens After You Give Birth?
After delivery, hormone levels shift again.
More hairs can move into the resting and shedding phase at around the same time. This is why postpartum shedding can feel dramatic.
You may notice:
- More hair coming out while washing or brushing
- Increased shedding around the hairline
- A thinner-looking ponytail
- More visible scalp in areas that previously looked fuller
- Shorter regrowth around the hairline later on
This type of excessive shedding is commonly referred to as postpartum telogen effluvium.
The important thing to know is that this type of postpartum shedding is generally temporary.
Can Postpartum Changes Affect Your Eyelashes Too?
Your eyelashes also follow a natural growth cycle.
Like scalp hair, lashes move through growth, transition and resting phases.
Because postpartum hormonal changes can influence the hair cycle, some people notice changes in the appearance or fullness of their lashes after pregnancy.
You may notice:
- Lashes looking less dense
- More lashes falling out during your normal lash cycle
- Gaps that make the lash line appear less full
- A difference compared with how your lashes looked during pregnancy
There is still limited research specifically focused on postpartum eyelash shedding.
So it's important not to assume every case of lash loss is caused by postpartum changes.
Persistent, sudden or patchy eyelash loss can have other causes and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
When Does Postpartum Hair Shedding Usually Start?
Postpartum shedding does not usually begin immediately after delivery.
Many women notice increased shedding a few months after having a baby.
The timing can vary from person to person.
For some, the change feels gradual. For others, it can seem like a lot of hair starts shedding all at once.
That delay can make the connection between pregnancy and shedding feel confusing.
How Long Does Postpartum Hair Thinning Last?
For most women, postpartum shedding is temporary.
Hair gradually returns toward its usual fullness as the normal hair cycle resumes.
The timeline varies. Some women notice improvement earlier, while others continue to see changes throughout the first year after giving birth.
Your individual timeline can depend on several factors, including your overall health, stress levels, nutrition and whether another cause of hair loss is also present.
If you experience extreme, persistent or worsening hair loss, it is worth speaking with a healthcare professional.
What Can You Do While Your Hair Cycle Resets?
There is no need to panic or throw every hair product into your routine.
A gentle, consistent approach is usually the move.
Focus on Scalp Care
Your scalp is the environment your hair grows from.
A consistent scalp-care routine can help support scalp comfort and the appearance of healthy, fuller-looking hair.
A natural scalp serum like Atmosphere Multi-Peptide Hair Density & Scalp Serum can fit into this type of routine.
Atmosphere is not a medical treatment for postpartum hair loss. It is designed to support the scalp and the appearance of healthier, fuller-looking hair. To learn more about how long it can take to see results from a scalp serum, read our breakdown.
Be Gentle With Your Hair
Postpartum hair may already feel different from what you're used to.
Try to minimize unnecessary stress on the hair by:
- Avoiding very tight hairstyles
- Being gentle when detangling
- Reducing excessive heat styling when possible
- Using conditioning products that suit your hair type
- Avoiding aggressive brushing when hair is wet and fragile
Pay Attention to Nutrition and Overall Health
Hair is influenced by more than the products you apply to your scalp.
After pregnancy, factors such as nutrition, stress, sleep and overall health can also affect how you feel and how your hair looks.
If you're concerned about significant shedding, a healthcare professional can help determine whether there are other factors worth investigating.
Where Does a Lash Serum Fit In?
If your lashes look less full after pregnancy, a prostaglandin-free lash serum can be part of a cosmetic routine focused on conditioning and maintaining the appearance of healthy lashes.
Moon Boost Lash & Brow Serum is designed to support the appearance of fuller-looking lashes and brows.
The goal is not to promise a medical fix for postpartum lash loss.
Instead, think of a lash serum as part of your beauty routine while your body adjusts after pregnancy.
If lash loss is significant, patchy or persistent, speak with a healthcare professional rather than relying on a cosmetic product alone.
Postpartum Hair Thinning vs. Something Else
Postpartum shedding is common, but not every type of hair loss after pregnancy is automatically postpartum telogen effluvium.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you notice:
- Sudden bald patches
- Persistent or worsening shedding
- Significant changes that do not improve over time
- Scalp pain, inflammation or scaling
- Loss of eyelashes or eyebrows that is patchy or severe
A proper evaluation can help rule out other causes.
The Bottom Line
Postpartum hair and lash thinning can be frustrating, especially after the fuller-looking hair many people experience during pregnancy.
The good news is that postpartum shedding is usually temporary.
The hormonal shift after delivery can move more hairs into the shedding phase, making changes to your scalp hair much more noticeable.
Changes in the appearance of your lashes may also occur, although research specifically focused on postpartum eyelash shedding is limited.
Give your hair and scalp time, keep your routine gentle and consistent, and seek professional advice if the changes feel severe, unusual or persistent.
For a complete guide on scalp serums for hair density read our blog.
FAQs
Is postpartum hair loss permanent?
Postpartum shedding is generally temporary. Most women gradually return toward their usual hair fullness as the normal hair cycle resumes.
Can pregnancy affect eyelash thickness?
Hormonal changes can affect the normal hair cycle, which may influence the appearance of body hair, including eyelashes. However, research specifically focused on postpartum eyelash thinning is limited.
When should I start worrying about postpartum hair loss?
Speak with a healthcare professional if you notice bald patches, severe or persistent shedding, scalp symptoms or hair loss that seems unusual for you.
Can a scalp serum stop postpartum hair loss?
A cosmetic scalp serum is not a medical treatment for postpartum hair loss. It can support scalp care and the appearance of healthier-looking hair as part of a consistent routine.
Can I use a lash serum while breastfeeding?
Check the product's ingredient list and directions, and speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about using a specific cosmetic product while breastfeeding.
