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Many women enjoy the so-called pregnancy glow during their term - unfortunately, this glow often doesn’t last until the birth. Amidst the cuddles with your newborn and the sleepless nights, many new moms may also notice an unwelcome surprise: postpartum hair loss.
This condition, also known as telogen effluvium, can cause significant hair thinning or even bald patches. It can often be mistaken as alopecia or pattern baldness, but it’s a common occurrence postpartum. This can often be frustrating for new moms and can even make them feel even more self-conscious. The good news is that new moms can actively manage the condition and enhance regrowth through non-invasive treatments such as red light therapy.
In this article, join our team at ROJO Light Therapy NZ as we explore the red light therapy benefits for postpartum hair loss.
During pregnancy, the oestrogen levels of a woman’s body increases. This prevents hair from shedding, and can make it even feel thick and luscious. However, after birth, oestrogen levels drop - as a result, hair that didn’t fall off during pregnancy begins to drop at a facilitated rate. Other factors that can affect postpartum hair loss include stress, poor nutrition, nutrient deficiency, and iron deficiency.
New mothers can expect the most shedding to occur four months after giving birth. After that, the condition usually resolves itself, with some lasting up to a year before hair growth returns to normal. The good news is that red light therapy can help quicken the regrowth process.
The key advantage of red light therapy towards helping treat this condition lies in its ability to target the underlying biological processes, controlling hair growth at a cellular level. Let’s dive into the mechanisms behind this below:
When the red and near-infrared light produced by red light therapy are absorbed by the cells in the hair follicles, the light stimulates the mitochondria of the cells. This then induces an increased production of adenosine triphosphate, the energy of the cells.
This surge in ATP helps cells function at optimal rates and kick-starts a series of metabolic processes that help hair follicles shift from their dormant phase into an active growth phase. The process accelerates hair regrowth and reduces the amount of shedding, addressing two of the most crucial issues in postpartum hair loss.
The health of hair follicles is heavily dependent on adequate blood circulation, which delivers the nutrients and oxygen hair needs to grow. Red light therapy helps promote this through its ability to dilate blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow by increasing the relative volume of blood that circulates the body at a given point in time. Additionally, the treatment also promotes angiogenesis, or the formation of new capillaries - a capability that ultimately optimises the capacity of blood that is able to travel.
These enhancements ensure that the hair follicles receive an adequate supply of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids necessary for keratin production, the primary structural component of hair.
Collagen supports the elasticity and hydration of the scalp, both of which are essential for healthy hair growth. Together with oestrogen, the production of this protein can also decline post-birth, which often leads to scalp dryness and brittleness of the hair. Fortunately, red light therapy can help mitigate this.
The treatment has been shown effective in increasing collagen production. Through this, the scalp strengthens enough to properly support the hair shaft, preventing breakage in the new growth.
While red light therapy provides short-term improvements in hair growth, its long-term benefits rely on consistency. With regular use, new mothers not only stimulate regrowth, but also better scalp health and prevention of future episodes of significant hair loss.
The good news is that with the availability of high-quality home red light therapy devices such as the ones we offer at ROJO, new moms don’t have to waste time going out to a clinic to enjoy the therapy. These devices also make it much easier to incorporate the treatment into their wellness routine.
If you’re ready to start your red light therapy journey at home, shop with us at ROJO Light Therapy. We offer tried and tested red light therapy devices designed to provide you with overall wellness benefits. Contact us today for more inquiries!
