The Ultimate Manual to Postpartum Hair Loss: Causes, Symptoms, Timeline, and Gentle Treatment Options for New Mothers

by Leading Solution December 26, 2025

After months of navigating the highs and lows of newborn life, the magic of the first smile, sleepless nights, and the physical struggle of recovery, seeing clumps of hair fall out can feel like the final, cruel straw.

If you are standing there right now, holding a brush full of hair and feeling a lump in your throat, please hear this: You are not losing yourself, and you are not going bald. In Singapore, where the humidity is unforgiving, postpartum hair loss feels isolating. But as the world is going more organic, more mamas are shifting toward clean living, and the way we treat this phase is changing. We are moving away from harsh chemicals and toward the healing power of nature. This is where Two Herbs comes in; it is not as a clinical fix, but a gentle, herbal companion for your scalp during its most sensitive season.

What is Postpartum Hair Loss?

If you have googled your condition, by now you must know that, in medical terms, what you are experiencing is called Telogen Effluvium. But to a mother, it just feels like losing a piece of her identity. Knowledge makes acceptance easy. To understand it, we must first look at the hair growth cycle:

Anagen (Growth Phase): Lasts 2–7 years. Hair actively grows.
Catagen (Transitional Phase): Lasts 2–3 weeks. Growth stops.
Telogen (Resting/Shedding Phase): Lasts 2–4 months. The hair rests, then sheds to make room for new growth.

During pregnancy, your body is in a state of storage. Your hair stays in the growth phase much longer than usual. Post-delivery, your body hits the reset button. It isn't that you are losing hair you need; it’s that your scalp is finally releasing the hair it held onto for nine months. It is a temporary process, meaning your hair follicles are still alive and they are just resting.

What causes postpartum hair loss

The Hormonal Rollercoaster

If you've found yourself asking, "What hormone causes postpartum hair loss?" the culprit is Oestrogen.

During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels act like a beauty filter, keeping your hair lush and thick. Once the placenta is delivered, those levels drop faster than a newborn's nap time. This sudden drop signals your hair to move from the growth phase (Anagen) to the shedding phase (Telogen).

Secondary Causes: Compounding Factors

Stress and Sensitivity

It’s not just hormones. The physical and emotional stress of a fourth trimester in a fast-paced city like Singapore plays a huge role. Between the 3 a.m. feedings and the return to work, your cortisol levels often peak.

Nutrient Depletion

Pregnancy depletes your body's stores of iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. If not replenished, these deficiencies directly affect the ability of hair follicles to enter a healthy Anagen phase, complicating recovery from postpartum hair loss causes.

Increased scalp sensitivity postpartum

Furthermore, your scalp becomes incredibly sensitive postpartum. This is why many mamas find that the high-fragrance, chemical-heavy shampoos they used before now cause itching or increased shedding. Harsh surfactants like sulphates can strip the stressed scalp, making a natural transition much harder.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Post Partum Hair Loss

Postpartum hair loss usually shows up in a few distinct ways:

Excessive hair shedding: especially during washing and brushing, seeing more hair than usual.
Temple Thinning: Noticing your edges or temples looking sparse.
The Hairline Recess: That dreaded feeling that your forehead is getting larger.

Beyond the physical, there is the emotional impact. To acknowledge the psychological impact is important. Seeing massive amounts of hair loss postpartum can be devastating, making you feel less like yourself during an already vulnerable time. Be gentle with yourself.

Postpartum Hair Loss Timeline: "How Long Will This Last?"

One of the most common searches for Singaporean mums is "How long does postpartum hair loss last?" Having a map helps you reduce your worry.

When does postpartum hair loss start?: Usually around 3 to 4 months after delivery. This is when the baby fog starts to lift, making the hair loss feel like an unwelcome guest.
How long does postpartum hair loss last?: The shedding is often most intense between months 4 and 6. Don't worry, stay strong!
When does postpartum hair loss stop?: For most, postpartum hair loss stops by the 12-month mark. By your baby’s first birthday, you’ll see the Mama Fringe, those tiny, spiky new hairs that signal the return of your mane.

How to Prevent the Shed from Worsening

While you can’t stop the hormonal shift, you can manage the environment.

Be Gentle: Switch to a wide-tooth comb. Detangle from the bottom up.
Loosen the Grip: Avoid tight buns or ponytails. These cause traction, pulling out hairs that might have stayed a little longer.
Ditch the Chemicals: This is the most important move. Postpartum is a time of extreme absorption. If you are breastfeeding, you are already cautious about what you eat. Your scalp care should not be any different.

Postpartum Hair Loss Treatment in Singapore: Why More Mothers Are Choosing Herbal Care

The Hesitation with Conventional Treatments

Many postpartum hair loss treatments in Singapore involve minoxidil or synthetic growth activators. While effective for some, many new mothers hesitate. "Is this safe while I’m nursing?" "Will these chemicals irritate my sensitive skin?" These are valid questions.

The Two Herbs Approach: Nature as the Navigator

At Two Herbs, scalp health is the foundation of hair growth. Instead of forcing growth with synthetic triggers, Two Herbs’ postpartum hair loss treatment uses Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs to create a healthy soil for your hair to grow back.

Gentle Cleansing: Our herbal range doesn't use harsh sulphates that strip your scalp's natural oils.
Nourishment: Ingredients like Korean Red Ginseng and Ginger help stimulate blood flow to the follicles naturally.
Breastfeeding Friendly: Because our focus is on plant-based, herbal ingredients, mothers can feel at peace knowing they aren't exposing themselves or their babies to unnecessary toxins.

Choosing the Right Postpartum Hair Loss Shampoo

Not all shampoos are created equal when you are looking for a post pregnancy hair loss remedy. A regular drugstore shampoo is often designed to strip oil, which is the last thing a fragile postpartum scalp needs.

When looking for a postpartum hair loss shampoo, look for:

Sulphate-Free: To prevent irritation.
Herbal Bases: Ingredients that soothe inflammation.
Scalp-First Formulas: Shampoo should treat the skin, not just the hair strand.

Two Herbs’ Hair Fall Control Shampoo is specifically designed for this balance. It provides a deep, but non-stripping cleanse, ensuring that as your body prepares to regrow hair, the path is clear and well-nourished.

Holistic Healing: Nutrition and Singapore Confinement

Hair doesn't grow in a vacuum. It grows from the inside out. In Singapore, we are lucky to have a rich culture of Confinement, a period specifically designed for physical restoration.

Essential Vitamins

To support your herbal scalp care, ensure you are replenishing:

Iron: Many mums are anaemic post-birth, which is a major cause of hair loss.
Zinc & B-Vitamins: The building blocks of hair protein (keratin).
Postpartum Hair Loss Vitamins: Look for a high-quality postnatal supplement to fill the gaps.

The Confinement Connection

Don't skip the ginger tea or the red date soup! Traditional foods are packed with the warming nutrients your body needs to restart its systems, including hair production. Combine these internal traditions with the external care of Two Herbs for a 360-degree approach to recovery.

When to Seek Extra Help

While postpartum hair loss is a common part of the postpartum period, keep an eye out for red flags. If your hair loss is:

Occurring in distinct, circular patches.
Accompanied by a rash or extreme scaling.
Continuing aggressively past the 12-month mark.

In these cases, a medical evaluation is wise. However, for most, a combination of medical reassurance and gentle herbal care is all that is required.

Conclusion: Trust the Process and Your Body

The journey through postpartum hair loss is a temporary chapter, not your new reality. Your body is strong and resilient; it accomplished the incredible journey of bringing life into the world.

Be kind to yourself, use these gentle care and styling tips, and allow time for your hair cycle to normalize. Remember, the hair will grow back, but this time of bonding with your baby is precious. Focus on your baby, embrace the temporary nature of this phase, handle it intelligently, and celebrate the strength of motherhood.

You don't need aggressive, chemical-heavy treatments to reclaim your confidence. You need patience, nourishment, and a routine that respects your body’s current sensitivity. By choosing a herbal-first approach with Two Herbs, you aren't just treating hair loss; you are practicing the self-care that you deserve right now.

The Mama Fringe is coming. Until then, let nature do the heavy lifting.

Explore Two Herbs’ range of natural hair care products in Singapore.