Having a baby can bring plenty of unexpected changes—including what happens to your hair. After months of enjoying thicker, fuller-looking strands during pregnancy, seeing excessive shedding in the shower or around your hairline postpartum can feel alarming.
But postpartum hair shedding is common. During pregnancy, hormonal changes can keep more hairs in the growth phase, resulting in less shedding than usual. After giving birth, shifting hormone levels can cause many of those hairs to shed around the same time.
The good news? Postpartum shedding is typically temporary. While no serum, oil or supplement can instantly stop the process, certain products can help support your scalp, minimize breakage and maintain healthier-looking hair as your normal growth cycle returns.
From scalp oils to hair supplements, here are five products to consider adding to your postpartum haircare routine.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil has become one of social media’s favorite ingredients for thinning hair, but its popularity extends well beyond TikTok.
When incorporated into a consistent scalp-care routine, properly diluted rosemary oil can be a simple way to nourish the scalp while caring for fragile postpartum strands. Massaging the oil into the scalp can also turn an otherwise ordinary wash day into a much-needed moment of self-care.
When using rosemary essential oil, always dilute it appropriately with a carrier oil rather than applying the undiluted essential oil directly to your scalp.
Moon Juice SuperHair
Moon Juice SuperHair combines vitamins, minerals and plant-based ingredients in a daily supplement formulated to support healthy hair. Its ingredient list includes biotin, zinc, saw palmetto and pumpkin seed, among other nutrients and botanicals.
However, postpartum nutritional needs vary, particularly if you’re breastfeeding or already taking a postnatal vitamin. Check with your healthcare provider before adding SuperHair—or any new supplement—to your routine.
The Nue Co. Growth Phase
The Nue Co. Growth Phase takes a beauty-from-within approach to hair wellness.
The supplement combines vitamins, proteins and botanical ingredients in a formula designed to support healthy-looking hair. Rather than viewing it as an overnight solution for postpartum shedding, consider it one part of a broader routine that includes adequate nutrition and gentle hair and scalp care.
As with other supplements, postpartum and breastfeeding women should review the ingredients with their healthcare provider before adding Growth Phase to their daily regimen.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
A longtime staple in textured-hair routines, Jamaican black castor oil is known for its thick, deeply conditioning texture.
While castor oil hasn’t been proven to reverse postpartum hair loss, it can help moisturize dry strands and reduce the friction and breakage that can make already-thinning hair appear even more fragile.
Because of its rich consistency, a little goes a long way. Massage a small amount into the scalp or concentrate it on dry lengths and ends as part of your regular haircare routine.
Bonus: it can also be incorporated into a brow-conditioning routine.
Vegamour
This duo does double the work by attacking the issue from within your body and on your scalp. The strawberry-flavored GRO Biotin Gummies, and the lightweight GRO Hair Serum are designed to improve the appearance of thicker, fuller-looking hair with consistent use.
The serum can be applied directly to areas where postpartum thinning is especially noticeable, such as the hairline and temples.
Just like motherhood, your hair can go through quite the journey after giving birth. Postpartum shedding can be frustrating, but for many women, it’s a temporary part of the body’s transition after pregnancy.
In the meantime, focus on maintaining a healthy scalp, minimizing unnecessary tension and breakage, eating a balanced diet and giving your hair time to recover.
Your hair may look different for a while—and that’s okay. Give your strands, and yourself, a little grace while your body adjusts to its newest chapter.
Very informative. When my significant other hair started falling out in the shower after giving birth to our beautiful baby boy, she was devastated. I’m sure these products will do wonder to help her hair come back stronger and thicker than before. Very informative, indeed, thank you.