Many of the frustrating postpartum symptoms tend to go away a few months after giving birth. You start sleeping better (hopefully!), the night sweats stop, your breast milk regulates or goes away, you heal and you start getting into a routine with your little one. But Ashley Graham’s twins, Roman and Malachi, will turn 11 months next week, and their mum is still dealing with a super annoying postpartum symptom.
In a series of photos posted on Instagram, the model shows off her short, wispy hair resulting from postpartum hair loss.
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“I mean at least it increases #postpartumhairloss,” she captioned the post. In this one, she wears a bathrobe in the bathroom, showing her short hair around the crown and the top of her head. She posts photos of the shorter hair from different angles, including one with her hair in a bun and the short hair up and another with her hair down long and down with the hair down in the middle of her standing part.
Postpartum hair loss affects about 50% of women, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
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“Changes like childbirth, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation and hormones put stress on the body and in response the body struggles to conserve energy and resources from low priority areas, such as hair growth, in favor of supporting other more critical changes underway,” Dr. Lindsey Bordone, who specializes in hair loss at ColumbiaDoctors and is an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center, said She knows in March 2020. “When this happens a lot of hair is moved into the shedding phase of the hair cycle and then within a one to three month period the shedding begins.”
It’s very common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bothersome. There are a number of ways to help though, such as taking vitamins and supplements, styling it in a new way, and just giving it time.
You can also find a support group at other moms. Jessica Alba also experienced postpartum hair loss. She said Form in September, “I struggled with hair loss after having my kids. It’s something no one told me and people don’t really talk about.
Graham, who also shares son Isaac, 2, with husband Justin Ervin, finds support on Instagram.
One person commented on their post, “INCHESSSS!! That’s how mine is right now but that’s because of my PSO and all my vitamins 😂.
Another said: “Daughter, I have the same problem.” Someone else commented: “Swoop it like baby hairs 😂.”
“Omg I thought I was the only one who looked like this 😅😅😅,” one person wrote. “I feel so much better now, thank you for being so transparent with your postpartum journey.”
“This message is the reason why I love you!” someone else said. “Please continue to normalize the horrible things that happen to us mothers when we literally give up our lives to welcome our babies into the world! No one ever tells you that stuff and it’s mortifying when it happens! Continue to be your Wonder Woman!
Last month, Graham said She knows about how motherhood has changed her. “I’ve become a lot softer, a lot more patient and forgiving not just to others, but to myself,” she said. “I forgive the mistakes I make a lot more.”
One of the things she is working on is giving herself grace. “I remember I have three little kids. You know, my body changed so quickly… like, it’s not just going to go back.
It takes a while for your body (and your hair!) to change after having a baby or two. But enjoying sweet cuddles, enjoying your little ones, and finding community can definitely make the time pass faster.
Before you go, take a look at these celebrity moms who refused to get on the “lose the baby weight” train.
Launch gallery: Constance Jablonski, Ashley Graham and other models who walked while pregnant
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