How to Help Clients Navigate Postpartum Hair Loss

New motherhood brings many joys, but losing your hair isn’t one of them.

As if pregnancy wasn’t challenging enough, new mothers often have a lot of physical changes to deal with in the aftermath of giving birth. Postpartum hair loss is one of the most common issues; according to the American Pregnancy Association, 40% to 50% of women will experience it in the months after pregnancy.

While it may be relatively normal, no one wants to see their hair falling out in clumps or clogging the drain, so it can be a stressful condition to manage. Here’s how stylists can help their clients navigate postpartum hair loss and make sure they still look — and feel — amazing after a trip to the salon.

Know the roots

For new moms, the shedding may come as a surprise, especially since it usually occurs several months after childbirth. Just when they think they’ve got everything under control and life is getting back to normal, hair suddenly starts falling out at an alarming rate. Women have described the process as “traumatizing,” and some end up chopping off their locks rather than deal with the literal fallout.

By being armed with knowledge, you can help clients remain calm while dealing with this stressful condition. The reason behind postpartum hair loss is attributed to hormonal changes from that whole “creating a person with your body” thing, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Reassure them that it’s a temporary condition that generally goes away on its own, and let them know they can still rock a fierce ‘do in the meantime.

Have postpartum products on hand

According to Debra Jaliman, M.D., there are several ways to mitigate postpartum hair loss, and two of the big ones are adding vitamins to the diet and using products with biotin. Consider keeping hair loss gummies (yes, it’s a thing) in stock, even bundling them with high-quality shampoos, conditioners, and serums for the perfect all-in-one treat for new moms. The last thing the parent of a newborn wants to do is run another errand, so having these products in stock goes a long way towards creating a parent-friendly salon environment. This is also a wonderful way to show that you appreciate your most loyal clients.

Even if your salon doesn’t offer products to take home, you’ll still want to have biotin-infused shampoos and conditioners in your toolbox. You can also offer tips for your clients to use outside of the salon, like eating more fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, and keeping those heating tools away from shedding hair.

Recommend styles to make hair look fuller

If clients are concerned about their hair looking thin in the months after giving birth, there are ways to hide that without resorting to a frumpy mom bob. Asymmetrical cuts, layers, fluffy ponytails, and curtain bangs are just a few ways to make hair look thicker while still letting your client’s personality shine through. Work with your postpartum visitors to find the style that works best for them, whether it’s an edgy bob or a sleek pixie. Make sure the new ‘do is relatively low maintenance; we hear that new parents are kind of busy.