Becoming a mother is one of life’s most wonderful yet challenging experiences. On the one hand, you have a blessing who brings you tremendous happiness. On the other, you have to deal with the issues that come with your little bundle of joy. One such issue is postpartum hair loss and how difficult it is to get your hair feeling—and looking—good and healthy daily.

Right now, we bet you’re thinking of a mom you know from your local mommy group with a perfect head of hair. And you’re wondering how many other mothers are out there with a head full of thick, shiny, beautiful hair while yours looks thin and patchy. But we’re here to tell you a little secret: many women aren’t born genetically blessed; they just know how to fake it.

What can you expect from postpartum hair loss?

You might experience a noticeable thinning of your hair a few months after giving birth. Don’t panic! This is completely normal, and around 50% of mothers experience the same thing.

Many women report feeling and looking gorgeous during their pregnancy. That’s the “Pregnancy Glow,” and it’s caused by a rise in estrogen and progesterone—hormones that keep our hair in the growth phase. Because fewer strands are shed, many expecting mamas develop fuller and thicker hair.

But when you give birth, your body experiences a sudden drop in estrogen. This is what causes postpartum hair loss. It becomes especially noticeable because your hair was so thicker, to begin with.

You don’t need to treat this: the peak of it happens around five months after having your baby. By their first birthday, your hair should be more or less back to normal. But if the idea of seven months of bad hair days scares you, we have some tips to help you.

Five tips for helping (and hiding) your thinning mane

Think back to that mama with the gorgeous hair from your mommy group. Chances are she’s hiding a head full of extensions. But wouldn’t you be able to tell? Not exactly.

High-quality hair extensions blend flawlessly with your real hair. You don’t even need to step foot in a salon to get the hair of your dreams: clip-ins are a fantastic solution to postpartum hair loss and can help you regain the confidence you deserve.

For a longer-lasting option with the same natural look, tape in hair extensions are also a popular choice among moms who want easy, low-maintenance beauty.

Here are our five expert tips on dealing with postpartum hair loss.

Don’t sweat it

While stress doesn’t cause postpartum hair loss, stressing about your situation won’t make it any better. Again, what you’re experiencing now is completely normal, and there is an end in sight. Besides, stress may cause hormonal imbalances, which may or may not make your hair loss worse.

Instead of worrying about your thinning hair, learn how to hide it effectively. Our clip-ins are beginner-friendly and attach in a few minutes—perfect for new moms with little time to spare. Simply section your hair with a tail comb, insert the clips right below your part (never on your scalp), and snap the clips into place. With four individual tracks, these beginner-friendly hair extensions can be used to add volume to any thinning area.

Be extra gentle

Mamas dealing with postpartum hair loss should be extra gentle with their hair. Your already fragile strands risk breaking off even further, so don’t tug on tangles or use very hot styling tools.

The good news is that reign hair extensions were created with fragile hair in mind. They are very gentle and cause no damage compared to other hair extensions. Here’s why:

• Unlike traditional hair extensions, clip-in extensions aren’t made to be worn 24/7. Taking them off at the end of the day gives your scalp time to rest.
• Our Seamless Fill-Ins are made with slightly less hair per pack. Each piece won’t cause any tension and stays comfortable and secure for long periods of time.
• Our clip-ins blend without having to tease your hair to cover the tracks. They are made with a lay-flat design and a 50% thinner silicone band compared to other brands so that they’re easy to conceal in thinning hair.
• Unlike other clip-ins, which attach with harsh metal clips that can damage your hair, we use gentle clips that don’t tug or cause breakage. Each track stays secure with only two clips.

Take a break from chemicals

Part of being gentle with your hair means giving up harsh chemicals, at least temporarily. Take this time to baby your mane—that means delaying any harsh dye jobs (especially those that require bleach), highlights, perms, and chemical straightening sessions until your hair recovers.

We understand how difficult it is to refrain from dyeing your hair. To shake your look up, we recommend choosing Seamless Fill-Ins in a lighter or darker shade than your natural hair. These clip-ins can be used around the face to create highlights and lowlights without any bleach or dye.

If you’re also exploring supplement options to support postpartum wellness, it’s smart to do your research—many new moms have raised concerns in reviews and forums, including common provitalize complaints, so reading up on potential side effects before starting anything is essential.

Layer it up

If you haven’t kept up with your trims during your pregnancy, this is the chance to go for a more drastic cut. Many women experience postpartum hair loss on the sides and fronts of their hair, and a layered style can help you hide your thinning strands by giving you more volume up top.

A layered style also serves double duty because it helps blend extensions in better. Seamless Fill-In Clips work especially well with layered hair. We recommend using them with hair that’s at least 6–7 inches long (shoulder-length), but they can also blend in seamlessly with shorter hair, though they might be more difficult to conceal.

Let your hair down

Your hair is extra delicate right now, so we recommend against pulling it into tight hairstyles. That means refraining from high ponytails, buns, and updos that can cause even more thinning from tension.

We know keeping your hair down is hard, especially because it’s so thin. Our Seamless Fill-Ins can be used around your face or any thinning areas to add extra volume. If you’re a busy mom who prefers tying her hair back, our clip-ins can help you create thicker braids and low ponytails because they’re so easy to hide, even when you pull your hair away from your face.

Look great and feel great with help with hair clip-ins

Hair clip-ins are the greatest trick for women worried about postpartum hair loss. They’re a temporary solution that won’t damage your hair even further while helping you regain confidence in your appearance because we believe every woman deserves to feel beautiful.