A HAIR extension specialist has shared four tricks to bring life back into your locks if you're dealing with postpartum loss like one pop icon.
Rihanna recently admitted that she experienced hair loss after childbirth, and if you're also suffering from the same issue, there are a few natural methods to combat it.
The mom of two opened up about her unexpected experience with postpartum hair loss in an interview with Refinery 29 on the red carpet at the launch of her Fenty Hair line.
Rihanna shares two children, RZA and Riot, with rapper A$AP Rocky and welcomed the second in August 2023.
She was surprised by how much it affected her everyday life, and it is what prompted her to start the project.
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"I didn’t expect it to happen in waves. I thought it would just happen and grow back,” she told the outlet.
Louise Bailey, a hair extensions expert at Beauty Club London, offered insight into the good and bad parts of life after birth.
“The postpartum period can be a wonderfully exciting time as moms get to know their new babies," she said.
However, one of the common symptoms experienced by new mothers is hair loss.
If you're like Rihanna and struggling to come to terms with this new normal, Bailey offered advice on tackling the issue from the inside out.
TAKE GENTLE CARE
Bailey said you should take special care when dealing with your locks while experiencing postpartum hair loss.
"It can be tempting to style your hair regularly and go about your haircare routine as normal. However, regular styling and use of hair tools and heat can damage your hair further," she explained.
When washing your hair, she advised against scrubbing your scalp too vigorously because "this can damage hair the hair shaft and contribute to further hair loss."
Instead, rub your scalp in a gentle circular motion because it is "more than enough" to ensure your locks are cleansed thoroughly.
Also, when drying hair, use a cool setting to avoid further heat damage, and avoid using heat tools like straighteners or curlers.
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She suggested styling methods like flat wrapping or overnight curls instead.
"Looser, down hairstyles or up but in a loose braid, bun or ponytail are preferable," she added.
You should also say goodbye to "excessive hairstyles" and maintenance like tight ponytails and "vigorous hair brushing" because they can also tug on hair strands.
PROPER NOURISHMENT
Caring for a new baby can be tiring, so Bailey emphasized how important it is to make sure your body has all the right nutrients.
“A diet filled with dark leafy greens, like spinach and kale, high-protein foods like eggs and beans, plenty of omega-3, vitamins A, C & E, and foods rich in omega 3s like fish and nuts are ideal," she said.
When you consume a lot of protein, the hair follicles can produce a protein called keratin, which helps keep it healthy, she explained.
“Additional supplements, like collagen and biotin, can also encourage new hair growth," she added.
EXTRA ATTENTION
Make sure to give your hair and scalp some TLC.
“A gentle massage after you’ve washed your hair can help new hair growth and keep the lengths of your hair shiny," Bailey suggested.
Rub in nutritious oils like argan or avocado and apply it from root to tip to also boost shine and protect from damage.
For more advanced cases, Bailey recommended cosmetic procedures that "involve injecting platelet-rich plasma or polynucleotides into the scalp" to combat loss and promote growth."
“However, if your purse strings are a little tighter these days, consider making a hair mask yourself from natural ingredients," she suggested.
BOOST OF CONFIDENCE
“If your self-confidence has taken a knock due to hair loss, consider investing in self-care to give you an extra boost," Bailey said.
“Whether it’s an at-home hair mask or the odd blow-dry, it’s important you make time to treat yourself."
For those who prefer to conceal thinning hair, she encouraged hair extensions as a "way to get thick and healthy hair quickly."
For a temporary boost, she said clip-in extensions were "ideal" because they can be taken out whenever you want.
A National Library of Medicine study on over 300 women found that over 90% had experienced hair loss following the birth of their child.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic said postpartum hair loss peaks "between three and five months postpartum."
But don't worry, it won't last forever.
New moms should notice new hair growth from around six months and generally see regrowth by the time their child turns one.
