Team Mom Bun or Team Chop? Either Way, It’s About Taking Back Control

My children are 7 and 4 years old, and I can still recall the postpartum trenches: the late nights (which, by the way, never really end), the early morning feedings, and the sudden realization that my life was no longer just my own. Suddenly, I wasn't spending mornings getting myself ready for the day. I was making sure my babies were fed, clean, and happy.

With both pregnancies, I took some time to pick myself back up—to look in the mirror every morning versus sprinting out of bed, to prioritize self-care and my mental health. I had to work constantly not to lose myself in motherhood. When I finally nailed down a daily routine that made sense for my new family, I found myself reverting to the well-known “mom bun," a term lovingly coined for the sloppy bun you throw on top of your head in the morning and watch slowly slip down to your back throughout the day. Not only did I not have time to style my hair, but pregnancy had changed my hair. I had breakage and a noticeably thinner ponytail. My hair would shed while I was showering. I knew postpartum hair shedding was a thing, but when it happened to me, I was jarred. I didn’t want to rock a mom bun daily, but I also wanted to avoid using heat on my hair for fear of damaging it.

I have the luxury of working with incredible beauty editors whom I reached out to for recommendations. I tried serums and conditioners to salvage my part-line, but let's be honest: None of it worked. (I laugh when I think about the concoctions I came up with.) Now that I've graduated to big-kid mom territory, I tell my pregnant friends to reach out to a dermatologist to help with these issues. Easy! Why didn't I think of that in 2019?

I can't go back in time, but I can help postpartum moms who feel the same way I did. I sat down with board-certified dermatologist and Chief Medical Advisor at Nutrafol Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, to discuss postpartum hair shedding, the emotional toll it can take on new moms, and the steps women can take to decrease shedding.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

Woolery-Lloyd: I'm a board-certified dermatologist, and I'm also board-certified in lifestyle medicine. I focus on skin and hair health and overall wellness. My work really sits at the intersection of research, education, and advocacy, helping people understand how their internal health connects to their skin and hair. A large part of my career has been dedicated to advancing more inclusive research. I've participated in dozens of FDA clinical trials and authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, with a strong emphasis on increasing representation of skin of color in dermatologic research. Ultimately, my goal is to empower people with credible information so they can feel confident in their skin and hair at every stage of life.

Do you often see postpartum hair shedding in your practice?

Woolery-Lloyd: Postpartum shedding is very common, and I see it regularly in my practice. Women usually experience thinning three to six months or more after childbirth. One of the most common questions is about how long the hair shedding will last and if it's permanent. The good news is that while postpartum shedding can be frustrating, it's usually temporary, and there are ways to support your hair through this transition.

That's comforting to hear. Many new parents ditch their pre-pregnancy hairstyles for a "mom bun" or "new chop." Is there a way to decrease hair shedding?

Woolery-Lloyd: For a new mom concerned about postpartum shedding, there are a few things that will be very helpful to minimize shedding. The instinct is often to either pull hair back into a tight "mom bun" for convenience or cut it all off for a fresh start—but how you care for your hair in either case matters. Tight, high ponytails can put extra stress on already fragile strands, so looser, lower styles at the nape of the neck with less tension are a better option if you're wearing your hair up. Whether you keep your length or opt for a shorter cut, avoiding high heat and focusing on scalp health is essential, since the goal is to protect the hair you have while supporting growth. The scalp is the foundation of healthy hair follicles, so don't ignore scalp health. Make sure to use microbiome-friendly shampoos and conditioners that support a healthy scalp. Finally, a hair growth nutraceutical like Nutrafol Postpartum can be very helpful to visibly improve hair thickness over time.

A few moms in our office swear by Nutrafol, but I've always been skeptical of supplements. Why do you personally recommend it?

Woolery-Lloyd: A hair growth nutraceutical like Nutrafol Postpartum is a great option to help manage postpartum thinning. First, it's an OBGYN-developed formula with breastfeeding-friendly ingredients that's designed to address key root causes of postpartum thinning. Second, it is formulated with Shatavari to support a healthy stress response, and calming adaptogens like L-theanine to help support the body during times of stress. The formula also includes marine collagen to support hair strength. In a clinical study¹, women taking the Nutrafol Postpartum formula experienced an increase in hair diameter and a reduction in shedding after six months of use. Overall, a targeted, whole-body approach like this can be a helpful way to support hair health and growth during the postpartum period.

Woolery-Lloyd: I have been recommending Nutrafol for years because there is so much research supporting it for hair growth. There are 26 peer-reviewed publications, including three randomized controlled trials, which are the most rigorous type of clinical trial. I also love that Nutrafol’s hair growth supplements are NSF Certified for Sport®. NSF is an independent, non-profit organization that tests formulas to make sure that what is on the label is inside the bottle. This commitment to research, quality, and safety is why I routinely recommend Nutrafol to my patients with hair thinning.

Thanks for explaining that. It's great to hear there's a viable option, but why is postpartum hair shedding so prevalent in the first place?

Woolery-Lloyd: Several factors can contribute to postpartum hair shedding. It is triggered by a combination of hormonal changes and the physiological trauma of childbirth. During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen and progesterone are beneficial for the hair follicle. Estrogen in particular extends the anagen phase. This is the active growth phase, which is why many women report longer, thicker hair during their second and third trimesters. Within 24–48 hours of delivery, estrogen and progesterone levels dramatically decrease back to pre-pregnancy baselines. This sudden hormonal change signals the follicles to stop growing, and they are pushed into telogen, which is a resting phase. Because the telogen phase lasts for around three months before the hair actually sheds, the thinning usually peaks around three months postpartum.

While the decrease in estrogen is the primary driver of postpartum thinning, the physical trauma of childbirth can act as a secondary trigger. This major physiological shock can also push the follicles into the resting telogen state, leading to significant shedding three months later.

That makes sense. Along with these physical changes, I remember feeling an emotional response to my hair shedding—it can truly feel like a loss of control. Is that normal?

Woolery-Lloyd: Very normal. There are so many changes that can happen to hair and skin postpartum, and all of these changes, combined with the stress of having a new baby, can be overwhelming. It's so important for new mothers experiencing hair thinning to know they're not alone and that there are ways to help manage postpartum hair shedding. If you have any concerns about postpartum thinning, make sure to see a dermatologist to do a full evaluation and create a plan that works best for you.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

1. Draelos, et al., Dermatology and Therapy. 2025.