Singer Son Dam-bi shared her experience of postpartum hair loss.
Recently, Son Dam-bi posted a video on her YouTube channel confessing about her postpartum hair loss. In the video, Son Dam-bi revealed that she started experiencing hair loss recently. She said, "I used to have a lot of hair and it was quite thick, so I never worried about hair loss," and added, "But after 100 days post-birth, my hair started to noticeably fall out."
She explained, "I lost so much hair that my husband was worried," and said, "The bed was covered in hair, and the drain would get clogged when I showered." She also mentioned, "The hair salon said my hair was thinning out significantly."
Currently, thanks to consistent care, Son Dam-bi's hair has recovered significantly. She stated, "I’ve tried everything from black beans to shampoos good for hair loss, and now I’ve recovered a lot." Let's learn more about postpartum hair loss.
What Causes Postpartum Hair Loss?
The postpartum hair loss that Son Dam-bi confessed to occurs as the body undergoes hormonal changes during the recovery process after childbirth. While it can be alarming and stressful for women experiencing postpartum hair loss, it is a natural phenomenon that about one-third of mothers experience.
During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone are secreted in large amounts. This helps prevent hair from falling out during pregnancy. The hair growth cycle is prolonged, and the number of hairs in the resting phase decreases. However, after childbirth, hormone levels drop sharply, causing hairs that had not entered the resting phase to fall out all at once.
Postpartum hair loss typically becomes noticeable between 2 to 4 months after giving birth. Up to 30-40% of total hair can fall out by 6 months. Fortunately, postpartum hair loss improves without special treatment. It is said that most women return to a normal hair state after about a year.
Importance of Adequate Rest and Nutritional Supplementation
However, if a woman engages in excessive dieting or lacks nutritional intake after childbirth, the duration of hair loss may increase and can lead to permanent hair loss. Severe stress and excessive physical activity can also contribute to this. Therefore, postpartum women need to consume foods rich in protein and iron, such as tofu, milk, beef, and beans, which are beneficial for hair health.
Eating black beans, like Son Dam-bi, can help supplement protein while also providing a feeling of fullness for a longer time. The functional components found in the black skin are particularly noteworthy. Black beans contain about 40% of essential amino acids that can only be produced through food intake. They are known to have four times more substances that slow aging, such as vitamin E, carotenoids, and anthocyanins, compared to regular beans.
In addition to managing diet, it is important to take adequate rest and engage in activities to reduce stress, such as massages, meditation, and walking. When experiencing hair loss symptoms, it is advisable to avoid perms and dyes that can irritate the hair and roots. Hair should be washed at least every other day to prevent buildup of waste and dandruff on the scalp. If symptoms worsen despite these measures, it is necessary to consult a specialist for appropriate treatment.
