Beauty-queen-turned-actress Lara Quigaman Alcaraz, who gave birth to her second son Tobias last September 2018, took to Instagram to share another facet of motherhood: postpartum hair loss.
"I have always had thick hair, but as I was tying my hair, Marco [her husband] found a bald spot!" the mom of two wrote as a caption. Like any typical mom, Lara turned to the Internet and found that it's a "normal postpartum thing."
Lara did not say if she experienced it too after giving birth to her first child Noah, but the 36-year-old actress was understandably still worried — there was a bald patch that was noticeable when she pulled her hair back (click the right arrow on her Instagram post above to see the photo). But Lara decided to look at her situation from a different perspective.
"I stopped [worrying], umawra, smiled and took selfies instead and thanked Him for the rest of my hair that's not falling off and a million other things I should be grateful for and just gave Him all my worries and concerns," the mom of two shared. "Bonus pa, He gave me a husband who said he loves me even if I turn bald!" Lara added.
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What is postpartum hair loss
Pregnancy, as you may already know, entails a lot of body changes that are triggered by hormones. According to Parents, the increased levels of estrogen in a pregnant woman's body "freezes hair in the growing phase of the cycle," preventing hair fall. That results in thicker hair, sometimes even in odd places of your body.
But your estrogen level drops after giving birth, so your hair shifts into the resting stage, and it will start to fall out—in alarming chunks for many women.
"It doesn't mean you're deficient in nutrition or vitamins," Joanne Stone, M.D., an ob-gyn and co-author of Pregnancy for Dummies tells Parents. It's hormonal. Your body is now trying to get back to its pre-pregnancy state.
How much hair will I lose and for how long?
Heidi Murkoff, the author of What to Expect When You're Expecting, says hair loss occurs anywhere between delivery and the sixth month postpartum. Moms who breastfed claim their hair fall did not come until after their baby started formula or solids.
Postpartum hair loss varies for each woman, including women who've had a miscarriage, but it is temporary. Doctors say you will have your hair back by the time your child celebrates his first birthday. But if this doesn't happen, you must consult your doctor to know if there is an underlying condition that may be causing it.
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Is there anything I can do to stop postpartum hair loss?
Postpartum hair fall cannot be prevented, and no elixir can make it stop and instantly grow your hair back. But there are ways to manage.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowWe've culled tips from the editor in chief of BeautyBeat.ph and mom Elaine Natividad-Reyes, who shared tips in a SmartParenting.com.ph article, and from moms on our Smart Parenting Village Facebook group.
Eat healthily.
Taking vitamin supplements may help. Vitamin B7 or biotin may help strengthen hair and improve scalp conditions.
Switch hair products.
Using anti-hair fall shampoos and hair growing treatments are a hit or miss. Most of the moms suggested gentler hair products or those that have natural ingredients.
Treat your hair kindly.
Comb your hair gently. Don't tug, pull, or tie your hair too tight. Stay away from hair treatments such as hair dyes, perms and rebonds, for the time being.
Get a new 'do!
Maybe makeover your cut to one that's better suited for thinner hair? A new look might be good for you, too!
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