Hair Problems...HELP!!!

My hair fell out after the birth of both my kids, also after I stopped breastfeeding. After having 2 kids I wore my hair up a lot and didnt do my hair often. Come to find out that wearing your hair up everyday is more damaging then heat styling it everyday. So when I do wear it up, I use clips instead of ponytail holders that tear and break your hair. My hair seemed very oily because it was thinning and I was using a think shampoo like Pantene, too much conditioning made it nasty. I would get a shampoo for fine hair. My hair was grown back, it looks real goofy in the growing back process, it thankfully it did come back. In my opinion, yes, lots of stress will make your hair fall out. I would also suggest taking a vitamin if you're not already. Good luck!

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Have you had your thyroid checked? I wouldn't give up on the doctors yet. Are you on any kind of OCD medication? Is it possible you're yanking out the hair around your head, and maybe not even realize you're doing it?

Since you've been very germ-concerned, do you think there's a cleaning product you're sensitive or allergic to? Maybe switch to green products.

Regarding shampoo...a hair stylist once told me that using many grocery-store-brand hair products is worse than using liquid dish soap on your hair. Sometimes those shampoos are even less expensive than dish soap--I compared prices--but how terrible for your hair! A good shampoo is even more important than a good conditioner, but I would invest in both. You can water them down to help them last longer. I like the Alterna brand, but they're very expensive. You can buy a huge bottle online at certain beauty supply stores for $50-75 (lasts 6+ months), like beautydepot.com. Shop around--a lot of online beauty supply stores offer good deals and send lots of samples. The big bottles are the best deals.

Do you wear a lot of headbands in your hair? That could also cause the breakage (but not the thinning).

Good luck, and keep trying.

1 mom found this helpful

My hair was thinner and broken off after I had my baby. Then I had tiny short hairs growing back. Also, I was using drugstore shampoo/conditioner and my hair got very oily and flaky at the same time. So my scalp was dry and producing oil to combat that. I switched to burt's bees more moisture shampoo and conditioner, even though that seemed wrong when it was oily, and it took care of it. Occasionally, it gets a little flaky again and then I'll leave the conditioner on longer as I shower. You may have developed an allergy to sodium laureth sulfate (which won't be in most natural products) or maybe since you've gotten germ obsessed you're washing your hair too much which is drying it out. I usually wash mine every other day. You shouldn't have to wash it every day, and if it's longer you could probably go more than 2 days. Taking omega 3's should help your hair--nursing may have depleted you. Google "omega-3 hair" and see what you find. You do have to be careful about the quality of the supplements because many will contain mercury...I use Carlson's salmon oil. Good luck. C.

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Some of this does sound normal. after I gave birth I had hair loss around my face too! It was the weirdest thing! I had fuzzy hair for quite a while. I don't really know if it was from breast feeding or pregnancy hormones. I have really thick hair so I didn't notice any thinning but I probably did have some too. It'll grow back, it already is that's why your hairline is an inch now. I also experienced scalp pain too, and that went away. I'm pg now, so looks like I get to go through this all over again! LOL.

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Several years ago I had Alopcie Areioda. It seems that through Large extended periods of extreme stess The scalp clamps off hair at the surface. I went through alot to get it back. My spouse at the time never worked more than 2 consecutive years and then I got demoted salary cut, about to loose the house, etc. I went to a dermatologist. That was tough cause at the time office visits were $50 and couldn't claim it on insurance because they would say it was cosmetic. I used temovate lotin on my scalp, changed from a hair brush to a pick. They checked my hormone levels. Found I was deficient in Zinc, and iron, and biotin. Bottom line is it was temporary even though it was extreme. At the height I couldn't even keep a baby barrate in my hair. If you haven't gone to a dermatologist I would recomend it, and figure out what is stressing you. Try to be proactive in controlling your stress. It will go a long way towards recovery. I used to spend saturdays cutting it myself. Shorter didn't fall out so fast and it was by my hand that it hit the ground. If you are feeling nubs you are probably through the worst of it. Maybe time for a new hairdo?

Hi B..

I am a 27 year old mother and I have been experiencing hair loss as well. I went to the doctor as well and was told my blood work was fine. A friend at my mother's work suggested that I try primrose oil softgels which are herbal supplements. Although I still experience some hair loss, it is not coming out in clumps any longer like before. I did not experience an oily scalp or bumps so I do not have any suggestions for that. I buy my primose oil at WalMart, but I have also seen them at GNC. Of course, I would check with your doctor first to make sure you can take them. I know exactly how you feel emotionally and I hope this information helps.

I did the same thing except in circular patches alopecia aeriata sp? that is an autoimmume problem but other than having a name I had no other solutions, and to top it off when it finally did grow back in my scalp and therefore the hair had zero pigment. so now my hair is white, not grey but translucent. but on the up side is just as thick as ever. I did get treated for post partum depression even though it had been 5 years by that time. I was on antidepressant and a "mood leveler" aka antipsychotic. This seemed to make it better, but I wonder if i just didn't care. so 5 years later I now have full blow rheumatoid arthritis, also an autoimmune disease

On the flip side your hair loss sounds way more hormonal. I have met other women with the same scalp/hair issues throughout pregnancy and after and it seemed to go on longer than any woman wants to put up with. Bless your heart, It just takes time, maybe even hormones.
Good Luck

Hi, B.=) I experienced the exact same symptoms after having both of my children. Both my children's pediatrician and my midwife told me that it was hormonal. With my first child, I lost nearly 3 inches of my hairline all the way around. I looked like a cancer patient. It just came out in clumps. It eventually quit and my hair grew back in by the time my first was 2 years old. With my second child, the same thing happened again and there was the added fun of extreme oily scalp, bumps all around my hairline and this time it has not stopped yet. My second will be 3 next month. I feel your frustration at not feeling pretty right now. I look in the mirror at the end of the day and see what hair I have left looking like I never wash it with all the bumps and I just feel so sad and unattractive. If you find anything that can be done to help speed up the "healing" so to speak, let me know. My husband says he doesn't care and still thinks I am pretty, but it has got to bug him on at least SOME level. Good luck!

B., the problem you describe, almost to the "T" is what happened to me after being fired from my job a few years ago. I worried about hormones and other issues but didn't have insurance so I didn't go in, but I had the most FABULOUS hair dresser who kept up with my hair (a friend took me in for cuts and maintenance while she got her hair done, and paid!) I told my stylist all my issues and she stated the whole issue starts with stress, then is compounded by what we use on our hair. I had become allergic to my shampoo and conditioner on top of the "stress related" breakage thus the different dry/oily areas and itchyness of my scalp.Even if the dermatologist says it isn't a reaction to product, I would say switch for two weeks and see if you see any difference in your scalp. The breakage is possibly what makes you feel "the balding effect" as I called it when it was happening to me. Unfortunatly in our 30s we do have a bit of a change in our bodies and you might have thinner hair than you had in your 20's but it doesn't mean it makes you look unattractive. My solution, though a bit extreme (and two years of crying fussing and struggling with my hair) was to just get a very short pixy cut. I didn't really want short hair but it kept breaking off so bad!!! Well, since then, with the help of leave in spray conditioner and not using a damaging brush, my hair is growing back in its full beautiful glory! The problem being all that hair once grown is dead, you can try and fix it but once damaged so far it is not "repairable" and dealing with your longer hair may be causing damage to the shorter pieces as they grow back. (Does that make sense?!?) So, find something to help with your stress, maybe even some medications to help with obsessive conditions, a friend of mine mindlessly pulls her hair out when in the throws of OCD germ fighting and stress...her very low dose medication has saved her hair and her self made little bald patch is growing in nicely! I hope some or any of this helpsab you are not alone hon! ((((Hugs))))

Hey B.,

I'm so sorry to hear about your hair problems, but I know a several great products that can help. The best part is they are all toxin free and there's nothing harmful in them at all. The best part is that they are all wonderful and money back guaranteed so if for some reason they didn't work for you you won't be out anything. I'm very confident that they will help but it's always nice to have a reassurance. I would love to get you the information about the wonderful store/products I found that I know will help. I had the same problem after having my children started losing my hair. but the vitamins I'm taking are just one wonderful suggestions I have for you. Please feel free to contact me for more information I would love to share. All my information is below!!

T. Cogan
Work At Home United
Your Life, Your Dreams, Your Business!
Website: www.allgood4life.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
Phone: ###-###-####

"Nothing is difficult to those who have the will." --Dutch Poet's Society

Hi B.,

I am going something similar myself at the moment. I am a nursing mom of a 10 month old. My hair is coming out in clumps. It looks like it is breaking off and not falling out. I had my physical yesterday and I'm waiting for my test results on my thyroid and iron levels. One thing I also noticed is my finger nails are very brittle at the moment.

As far as the hair around your face, sounds like it could be a form of alopecia that occurs when you pull your hair back into a ponytail. Unfortunately, when you get the fine hair growing along your hairline it indicates damage to the hair follicle and your regular hair won't grow back (my hairline has been like that for over 30 years now due to this type of damage).

I have curly, dry hair so I only wash my long hair every 2-3 days. I am still experimenting with shampoos and conditioners. The one I like and will most likely be ordering is Arbonne's Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner. Tea Tree oil really helps relieve a dry itchy scalp.

Hi, B., I went from doctor to doctor, specialist after specialist and still could barely function. I am now happy to say I am being treated by Dr. Michael Simmons in Frontenac, Kansas. phone ###-###-####. I finally have my life back. I can now do so many activities. And it was so simple. When I told him I had been to alot of doctors, He said they were not running the right tests. B., I can not tell you how good I feel now , Thanks to Dr. Simmons!! He has patients travel from all over the U.S. It is worth the trip. Do not suffer for years like I did, Call him.

I have 5 children and with every single one of them I had hair loss up around my hairline, mostly by my temples and when it would start to grow back in looked as if I had wings. You are not alone and it is something that I have found alot of moms goes through after having a baby. Your hair will come back in don't worry:) It's starts to fall out gradually when you are pregnant and starts to grow back in months even years after they are born,something to do with hormones. The short patches you are having around your face could be new hair growing back in. You are not alone, hope you don't feel as bad now. Suggestion would be to get a shorter hair cut so it is not so noticeable, it will make you feel better and your hair might actually look thicker too:)
However,I have heard also that your body chemistry changes every ten yrs and maybe that is why you are having some hair loss and oily hair more than it use to be. If you are thinking it could be stress related you could be right, stress is the cause of a number of health issues that are out there. I will pray that you find a doctor that has a solution to help you. Have a great day and keep your chin up!