If you found this page while searching, "Why is my hair so dry postpartum, or why is my skin so bad postpartum", please know you are not alone!
Unfortunately , dry skin and hair are extremely common after delivery-- due to hormonal changes, increased water demand (insert, breastfeeding literally sucking life out of you), and your body just overall working towards returning to your pre-baby state.
I promise to get right to the point with what you might be going through and ways you can remedy the situation fast! Let's start with brittle, dry hair & skin.
Dehydration:
While trust me, postpartum hair loss is likely well on its way if it hasn't entered the chat yet.... brittle hair however, is also quite common postpartum and can be extremely frustrating for a new mom.
Brittle hair is more than likely not just a result of hormones fluctuating, but from dehydration.
I found my thirst to be unquenchable postpartum.
That water cup I was given in the hospital ( you know the one with the big fun bendy straw?) ..well it was working overtime and constantly being filled.
I couldn't even get through pumping without downing 32-64 oz.
Dehydration will cause hair to appear and feel straw-like, and skin to become increasingly dry.
Aside from hormones and deficiency, dehydration is one of the biggest causes for skin and hair frustrations postpartum, and luckily its one you can work to remedy quickly!
Managing Dry Skin & Hair
Let's get to the meat of this conversation. What do you do now that your hair feels like straw and your skin has zero glow and bounce.
#1: Drink More Water
Sure, it wounds obvious but you might just need this reminder more than you think. You need to force yourself to do it! This will directly correlate how your skin is feeling and your hair is looking.
A postpartum mom who is breastfeeding at minimum needs to be drinking 16 cups of water a day.
One cup minimum is suggested every single time you breastfeed.
Set a higher goal for yourself and drink up!
#2: Moisturize & More Frequently.
In the weeks after delivery you lose fluid that you retained during pregnancy.
This will cause your skin to suddenly feel its most dry.
You may even develop itchy skin during this time as your body is more suddenly letting go of so much fluid.
This is the time to stay hydrated topically.
For body there is nothing better in my mind than Vanicream. Ultrahydrating - I found this product while combatting my oldest sons eczema.
It is thick, hydrating and moisturizing in the best way possible.
Vanicream is great for sensitive skin, and it won't clog pores. The pump version I love runs about $16 at target and its one of my most recommended products for new moms.
My next recommendation is not so price friendly and I'm prepared for the heat I'm about to take for it.
However I have to tell it like it is and until I can find a dupe for this I'm just going to put it out there and take the hate.
Ok here it is, the Platinum Rare La Prairie rejuvenation mask gave me back my glowing skin week 3 postpartum.
I'm going to be very honest, this is probably out of reach for most new moms and the fact that I worked for Lauder and as a beauty expert for a few years exposed me to some creme del la creme creams, so I get that my recs can be a bit out there... but I kid you not this calmed my Melasma and gave me back hydrated skin in days.
Giving Birth: Dry, Blotchy, Melasma
redness eliminated and skin tone has massively improved in such a short time
Just a few months postpartum back to clear, plump glowing skin, while breastfeeding. 10/10 recommend.
I will forever be looking for a product dupe for this and I swear to come back and swap my rec.. until then.. look up the price yourself and dream.
#3: Greens + Antioxidants + Supplements
Want to help your skin and hair with hydration from the inside? Up your antioxidants and greens.
As you are recovering postpartum, antioxidants will help key proteins in your body from breaking down, (talking about elastin and collagen).
This will provide firmness and moisture to the skin and keep hair feeling softer and healthier.
Tip: Eat more greens, drink antioxidant teas, and adding a supplement can really help.
The NEW updated Green Goddess gummies from Baby Blues are my latest addiction.
They contain more antioxidants and supergreens than I would ever think possible, and the gummy is literally so delicious.
They are, in no particular order:
Kale Leaf Extract, Broccoli Extract(stalk and flower), Beet Root Extract, Guava Fruit Extract, Spinach Leaf Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Carrot Root Extract, Wild Blueberry Fruit Extract (Vaccinium sp.), Mango Fruit Extract, Pomegranate Fruit Extract, Goji Berry Juice (Lycium chinense), Spirulina Extract, Noni Fruit, Acai Fruit (Euterpe oleracea), and Elder Berry Extract (Sambucus williamsii).
My skin has such better bounce when I'm taking them consistently. I take two a day minimum.
For hair, I will forever supplement with the Baby Blues Lilikoi Biotin and Collagen Hair Vitamins.
They contain the easiest absorbing collagen, along with so many vitamins and minerals ensuring they absorb.
I see a significant difference in my lashes, hair, and nails every time I'm taking them consistently. Growth, Thickness, & Shine.
#4: Avoid Hot Showers
If you are experiencing dry hair and skin, it is best to avoid a hot shower which will only make it worse.
Hot water is a sure-fire way to remove sebum oil which is produced by the scalp to hydrate hair.
Hot water also breaks the keratin in the hairs cuticle layer. This is the layer that protects hair's core so you want to avoid letting this moisture escape as it can even change the hair's texture.
Hair that is already dry can even break when heat (hot water) is applied so stick with luke-warm to warm.
#5: Don't Skip Sunscreen/Wear a Hat:
Want to avoid prolonged melasma and skin pigment changes postpartum? DO NOT SKIP SUNSCREEN.
This goes for your hair as well.
UV rays will cause dry hair to become brittle by breaking down the lipids in hair that retain moisture. They also can damage amino acids that make your hair strong.
Sun exposure also weakens the protein structure of hair, making it more likely to break.
Something surprising to me is how sun damage can actually cause hair loss. It might not be noticeable right away as hair loss moves in cycles but thinning weeks later (and most often in the fall) can occur.
Keep in mind dry + brittle skin & hair, likely will not resolve on its own so up your hydration internally and externally, pile on the antioxidants, supplement if needed, avoid hot showers & wear sunscreen!
