Recently, a drama set in a postpartum care center aired an episode on the theme of postpartum hair loss and female-pattern hair loss, drawing attention. When a leading character delivered the line, "It's not only the baby bottles that are empty," it resonated deeply among new mothers.
In fact, there are countless cases of women experiencing stress from female-pattern hair loss symptoms after giving birth. Such postpartum hair loss symptoms are so common that reportedly 1 in 3 new mothers experience them. The cause is that after childbirth, levels of the female hormone estrogen drop sharply, accelerating postpartum telogen effluvium symptoms.
Postpartum hair loss usually begins with the shedding of 30–40% of total hair over the 3–6 months following childbirth. After 6 months the hair loss gradually stops, and it generally returns to a normal state after 1 year has passed. During this period, efforts such as using anti-hair-loss shampoo, consuming sufficient protein, and avoiding hair treatments are needed.
The problem is that in some cases, even after 1 year has passed since giving birth, the hair loss symptoms continue and the hair does not return to a normal state. Given that women tend to be sensitive about their appearance, experiencing postpartum hair loss symptoms that last more than a year is bound to lead to extreme frustration. In severe cases, they may suffer from depression or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, making it difficult to lead a normal social life.
Therefore, if postpartum hair loss does not heal naturally even after 1 year following childbirth, it is advisable to undergo a detailed examination and treatment.
What is important is that preventive procedures should be considered before experiencing postpartum hair loss. Restoring hair that has already shed is difficult. Therefore, the key is to perform a procedure that can prevent postpartum hair loss before childbirth, fundamentally minimizing hair shedding itself.
If you have tried every method said to be good for hair loss but saw no improvement and low satisfaction, or if drug treatment and laser treatment are difficult due to plans for pregnancy and childbirth, you may consider a thread-lifting procedure using poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). The principle is to insert threads made of 100% PLLA into the scalp to improve female-pattern hair loss.
Undergoing the PLLA procedure in advance before pregnancy helps minimize postpartum hair loss. Because PLLA treatment involves inserting 100% PLLA threads directly into the scalp to act locally, it minimizes concerns about systemic side effects and has a long maintenance period. In particular, an advantage is that the treatment effect lasts for 1–2 years, allowing wide intervals between treatments.
Previously, PDO threads—the same as those used in general skin lifting—were mainly used, but due to their characteristic of decomposing and being absorbed quickly, the stimulus was delivered for a shorter time compared to the hair growth cycle of 2–3 years. In contrast, when a lifting procedure is applied to the scalp using PLLA threads, the point is that mechanical stimulation ignites and activates fibroblasts. In addition, the chemical stimulation—by inducing a foreign-body reaction—promotes the new formation of collagen.
Yoo Hwa-jung, Director of Modi Hair Plant Clinic, explained, "The PLLA procedure works on the principle of promoting microcirculation in the scalp to give vitality to the hair follicles," adding, "The threads deliver to the scalp a role like that of a supercharger that supplies more oxygen to an engine." He further added, "In particular, PLLA threads take about 1–2 years to fully decompose, so they are effective at supplying sufficient stimulation over a long period."
Source: Segye Biz │ Published 2020.11.16