‘It's real!': New mom Shraddha Arya shares struggles with postpartum hair loss after giving birth to twins
Hair strands on the pillow. More than usual clumps in the shower drain. For many new mothers, postpartum hair fall is an unexpected and often distressing part of recovery.
Television actor Shraddha Arya, who recently welcomed twin babies, is the latest to open up about this experience. Sharing a photo on her Instagram stories, she wrote, 'It's real!' — a small but powerful acknowledgement of a reality countless women go through after childbirth.
Postpartum hair loss typically starts a few months after delivery and can last for several weeks or even months. But, what exactly causes postpartum hair fall, and why does it tend to begin a few months after delivery rather than immediately?
Dr Shaily Sharma, consultant gynaecologist at Cloudnine hospital, Faridabad, tells indianexpress.com, 'During pregnancy, elevated oestrogen levels prolong the hair's growth phase, resulting in thicker, fuller hair. After childbirth, oestrogen levels drop, signaling more hair follicles to enter the shedding phase.'
Concurring, Dr Bhavik Dhir, consultant dermatologist, PSRI Hospital, adds, 'It usually takes around three months for this shedding to start, because that's how long your hair naturally stays in its resting phase before falling out.'
Can nutritional or hormonal deficiencies exacerbate postpartum hair loss? How can they be addressed?
'Yes, deficiencies in nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and protein can worsen hair shedding. Iron deficiency, common after childbirth due to blood loss, is a notable contributor. Ensuring a balanced diet rich in these nutrients supports hair health,' notes Dr Sharma.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Shraddha Arya (@sarya12)
Dr Dhir also states that the good news is, 'adjusting your diet can help.' Eating iron-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, eggs, beans, and lean meats can replenish iron levels. Including dairy products, nuts, and whole grains in your meals provides essential proteins, zinc, and biotin, which help your hair recover faster. Vitamin D levels can be boosted with a little sunshine exposure daily or by consulting your doctor about safe supplements. However, always check with your healthcare provider first, especially if breastfeeding.
Safe methods for managing hair loss in new mothers
There are several gentle, effective ways new mothers can manage postpartum hair fall safely. Both the experts suggest the following to manage it:
Use Mild Hair Products: Choose shampoos and conditioners without harsh chemicals or sulfates to avoid weakening your hair further.
Gentle Scalp Massage: Regularly massaging your scalp with gentle oils like coconut or almond oil helps improve blood flow, nourishing your hair follicles and encouraging healthy regrowth.
Balanced Diet and Hydration: A diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals can significantly help restore your hair's strength. Stay hydrated, as good hydration supports your overall health — including hair recovery.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ashton Hall is in India, we look at benefits of mouth taping that reduces sleep apnea and help with quality of sleep
An ice facial in Saratoga water to jump-start his day at the crack of dawn followed by meditation and a pump at the gym, if you've been scrolling on Instagram, you know exactly who we're talking about - wellness and lifestyle influencer Ashton Hall. He is now in India and recently brought his brand of fitness to the country with a special Insta Reel that shows him running on the streets with his fans. With over 16.8 million followers and his most viral Day In My Life reel raking in over 80 million views, Ashton has courted controversy with his somewhat extreme steps and even birthed several parody videos. But, he has also prompted other wellness influencers to adopt his mouth-taping habit, while posting about it. A post shared by Ashton Hall (@ashtonhall) But what is mouth taping? And are there any benefits to this practice? With Ashton's presence in the city, we speak to health experts to understand this wellness trend. 'This new sleeping trend consists of taping one's mouth shut to promote breathing through the nose when you are sleeping,' explains Dr Chaitanya Kulkarni, Consultant, General Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai. The tape is placed from the upper lip to the bottom lip reaching the chin. It can be placed vertically or horizontally so that your mouth is closed during your entire sleep duration. A special tape is used that is porous and is safe to use on human skin as the adhesive can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. A post shared by Ashton Hall (@ashtonhall) Some of the main benefits of mouth taping are that it reduces sleep apnea and snoring while bettering the quality of sleep. It can also benefit those who suffer from issues like dry mouth, bad breath, gum and cavity disease, help in increased oxygen intake, etc. However, Dr Akshay Budhraja, HOD, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, Delhi, says, 'Mouth taping is undertaken by several adults who face issues with sleep. They do it on the suggestions of friends, relatives and now, social media. Studies have been conducted to determine the benefits, but the sample sizes were too small. The benefits are not clinically proven but there is a lot of ongoing research on this trend.' If you are going to give this trend a try, Dr Kashmira Jhala, Consultant Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, suggests: could indicate that there's an underlying issue obstructing nasal airflow. Inputs by Dr Pujan Parikh, Consultant, Sleep Medicine Expert, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
This workout claims to ‘keep you in fat-burning state all day'; we fact check
The internet is a wonderful place to find hacks that promise quick results without most of the hard work. In keeping with the same, we once came across a workout video that promises to keep you in fat-burning state all day. Well, apparently. The digital creator listed the following exercises, advising those on a weight loss journey to do them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach for 20 minutes. Does this hack really work? reached out to an expert to find out. Dr Irania Ravanan, consultant-diabetologist and physician, KMC Prakriya Hospitals, Chennai, said that the video is factually correct. 'Majority of the population fasts for 8–12 hours between dinner and breakfast. Around this time, fat burning is just beginning to happen. Exercising when one is already fat burning will result in better results,' she said. According to her, performing exercises that help build muscles lead to increased muscle mass. This will ensure greater energy utilization during the day and reduce the time taken to deplete glycogen stores in the liver and commencement of fat burning. Dr Ravanan explained that glucose is the most easily available and used fuel in the body, and the body has mechanisms to keep the glucose level within normal range. After eating, additional glucose is first stored as glycogen in the liver. The liver can store about 100 – 120g of glycogen. Any additional carbohydrate absorbed from the meal is then stored as fat. 'When we fast, the glucose in the blood is constantly replenished by breakdown of the glycogen to glucose. It can take 10 – 12 hours for the glycogen stores in the liver to be completely depleted. The speed of depletion will depend of the consumption during the state of fasting,' she said. Once the glycogen store is depleted, fat is metabolized to glucose. This is fat burning. Increasing levels of overweight and obesity is a significant healthcare problem among the adults and children today. Weight is an important but not the only marker of health of an individual. Reducing one's weight to achieve a BMI of 18 – 23 (for Asians) and 20 – 25 for others will significantly reduce healthcare risks. Dr Ravanan added that a combination of intermittent fasting and exercise that results in muscle building is the most efficient and long lasting solution to achieve weight loss. Intermittent fasting without exercise can cause significant muscle loss too, otherwise known as sarcopenia, which will reduce ones abilitiy to keep the weight off. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Saumya Tandon shares habits that changed her life: ‘Sone se ek ghanta pehle…'
Saumya Tandon, a popular actor and television presenter, often uses her social media to share snippets of her life. In a recent Instagram post, she shared a quick recap of 5 healthy habits that, she claims, have changed her life for the better. Listing them in the video, she also encouraged her viewers to share their life-changing habits in the comments below. '5 habits that changed my life, which I'm very proud of. Share yours too,' she is heard saying in the video. 'Leave sugar, honey, jaggery. Koi zaroorat nahi hai, no health benefits,' the Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! actor said. Dr Rajiv Kovil, head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare and co-founder of Rang De Neela Initiative, called sugar the biggest addiction in the world. 'Within days of quitting, your blood sugar stabilises, reducing energy crashes and sugar cravings. Insulin spikes decrease, promoting fat burn and better energy levels,' he said, adding that energy remains stable, and mood swings reduce. Many people report feeling more alert and focused. Cutting sugar can significantly reduce inflammation, easing joint pain and improving skin conditions like acne, added Dr Kovil. According to Kanikka Malhotra, a clinical nutritionist and diabetes educator, if overloaded, excess sugar gets converted into fat and stored throughout the body. She said this can contribute to weight gain and increase your risk of developing chronic health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Don't workout for six months and let it go; be consistent in your approach. 'Most importantly, lift weights. Women, especially should do so,' she said. According to Dr Anup Khatri, senior consultant, orthopedics, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, staying physically active can help improve muscle strength and boost endurance. High-intense activities like sprinting can help build muscle, increase stamina, and also improve cardiovascular health. 'Sprinting can also help in burning calories and easily lose weight, especially fat from the body,' he said, adding that consistency is key. According to him, it is important to maintain a consistent workout regime for better results as taking frequent breaks can disrupt the entire process, making your muscles shrink back to their natural form. 'Koi idea aaya hai, kuch life mein karna chahte ho, koi vision hai…likh lo. It just clears up your mind,' the actor suggested. Dr Rimpa Sarkar, psychologist and founder of Sentier Wellness, told that writing your thoughts and goals signals to your subconscious that these things in life matter, keeping you motivated. It also activates the reticular activating system (RAS) in the brain, making you more aware of relevant opportunities. '10 page padhlo, 20 page padhlo. It broadens your horizons and improves your personality. There is so much more to talk to everybody about when you read,' was Tandon's precious advice. Delhi-based psychiatrist Dr Uma Naidoo shared that reading has various mental health benefits, and pleasure reading can be utilised to help you relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Reading is associated with increased focus, and also helps strengthen your cognitive ability. 'You will experience improved quality of sleep after reading, which is also linked to empathy development. It can be used as an escape as well as a tool to increase your attention span, and increase your knowledge,' she added. 'Keep your gadgets, social media, phone out of your bedroom. Sone se ek ghanta pehle, chhodh do sab kuch. Connect with your loved ones, read something, have meaningful conversations,' added Tandon. Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, consultant, psychiatrist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai, shared that excessively using smartphone devices at night can lead to struggle with falling asleep or restless nights. This can be attributed to the blue light emitted by phone screens, which is known to disrupt melatonin production and interfere with the body's natural sleep cycle, he said. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
