How to nourish through diet for postpartum hair loss?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 07, 2025
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When experiencing postpartum hair loss, women should enhance their nutrition by consuming more iron-rich foods, such as soybeans, black beans, seafood, spinach, and red beans, all of which contain abundant iron. Iron deficiency after childbirth is also related to the occurrence of anemia. Additionally, consuming plenty of protein-rich foods is essential, particularly since the growth of hair needs the amino acid cysteine. Therefore, it's indispensable to supplement proteins. In everyday life, one can eat chicken, beef, eggs, milk, and soy products, which all are rich in high-quality plant proteins and are excellent choices. Moreover, it’s beneficial to eat a moderate amount of iodine-containing foods, such as kelp and seaweed.

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
Dermatology
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How long will it take for hair follicles to necrose after hair loss?

Hair loss for about half a year can lead to the death of hair follicles. The death of hair follicles is usually caused by folliculitis, which is due to damage or blockage of the follicles, leading to redness, itching, and pain in the center of the follicle, appearance of papules and pustules, and in severe cases, ruptured pustules that crust over and form permanent skin damage, such as scars and hair loss. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly upon signs of folliculitis. Diagnosis can be confirmed through physical skin examinations, laboratory tests, and pus examination. Timely treatment usually involves the application of topical antibiotics like Mupirocin ointment, topical corticosteroids such as Budesonide ointment, and for patients with poor response to topical medication, ultraviolet light treatment of the infected area may be chosen. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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Can hair loss on the top of the head be reversed?

Generally, hair loss at the top of the head can be reversible. Sudden hair loss on the scalp may indicate alopecia areata, which typically has a clear boundary and reveals shiny patches of skin without pain or itching. This condition is often related to high mental stress and poor sleep. Treatment can include oral administration of Compound Glycyrrhizin Capsules and L-cysteine tablets, or a combination of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, products like Yangxue Shengfa Capsules can be used, as well as topical solutions such as Minoxidil Solution or Compound Siyadan Hair Growth Solution, which can gradually restore hair. If the hair loss at the top of the head is androgenic alopecia, this usually requires combination with certain medications. For women, oral spironolactone can be used; for men, oral finasteride may be helpful. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can poor kidney function cause hair loss?

Poor kidney function is actually not significantly related to hair loss. Even in severe cases of kidney failure or patients with uremia, most still retain their hair. Not all patients with uremia experience hair loss. Thus, there is not much of a connection between kidney function and hair growth. If a patient is experiencing hair loss, it could be due to issues with the skin or scalp itself, such as male pattern baldness which is related to an excess of androgens in the hair follicles, or factors like allergies or fungal infections could also cause hair loss.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Postpartum hair loss is related to what?

Postpartum hair loss is related to changes in hormone levels in women after childbirth. After giving birth, the level of estrogen in the body decreases, causing the hair that was in the growth phase before childbirth to enter the resting phase, and it will begin to fall out after a certain period. Generally, hair loss starts three to five months postpartum and gradually becomes a concern. Additionally, psychological factors can also cause hair loss. For example, mothers may experience mental stress and constant worry, which can affect the quality or quantity of hair. Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to insufficient nourishment for the hair, causing hair loss.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Is shaving the head useful for hair loss?

Shaving your head when you lose hair does not clearly help alleviate the symptoms. However, cutting your hair short appropriately can reduce the nutritional burden on our hair follicles and physical traction, which can somewhat help in the prevention and treatment of hair loss. Specific hair loss still requires systematic treatment and conditioning. When losing hair, you can take Chinese herbal medicine for conditioning. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, hair loss is generally considered to be caused by blood deficiency or kidney deficiency. Moreover, excessive fatigue, staying up late, and hereditary factors can also lead to hair loss. Therefore, it's important to avoid excessive fatigue, rest adequately, sleep by 11 o'clock, avoid staying up late, increase nutrition appropriately, and include various vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins C, A, B, and E in the diet. If necessary, some medications that supplement blood and nourish the kidneys can be taken orally.