Of the many indignities that accompany the pregnancy and postpartum periods, few rocked me more than the hair shedding. It’s one of the lesser-talked-about side effects of giving birth, and I couldn’t believe how intensely it affected me. Lest you think I’m exaggerating: “This is the worst case of postpartum hair loss I have ever seen,” my longtime hairstylist said on more than one occasion. I lost an entire inch of hair around the border of my hairline.My hair fell out in handfuls for the better part of four months, until it began the slow process of growing back, aided by hair serums, oils, rosemary shampoos, scalp massages and more. It deeply affected my already fragile confidence, and it’s only now, nearly two years later, that I am starting to look and feel more like myself. (I am pleased to report that the emergency bangs I incorporated to disguise the severity of my hair loss are mercifully on track to be fully grown out by the arrival of summer.) To understand what happened to me and to help others in a similar position, I reached out to Dr. Jessie Cheung, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist with offices in New York and Illinois. She explained that postpartum hair loss is caused by hormonal shifts that trigger the shedding phase of the hair cycle. “After delivery, there is a rapid drop of both estrogen and progesterone, and a large percentage of hairs shift into the shedding phase. You’re seeing a delayed release of all the hair that was being held in place during pregnancy.”As a result, “postpartum shedding tends to be more synchronized and dramatic [than other forms of hair loss] because it’s tied to a sharp hormonal withdrawal.” Luckily, she added that this kind of hair loss is “self-limited and follows a fairly predictable timeline.” But those of us hoping to avoid postpartum hair loss entirely are out of luck, because, as Cheung said, “You can’t completely prevent postpartum hair loss, as it’s a physiologic reset, but you can minimize the severity and support recovery.” She recommends consuming an adequate amount of protein, vitamin D, zinc and B vitamins for overall metabolic support. Cheung also said that a focus on a gentle hair care routine can help. “Avoid excessive tension, heat or chemical stress while the follicles are in a vulnerable phase.” Depending on how well the environment for regrowth is optimized, Cheung noted that shedding usually peaks around three to four months postpartum and begins to improve around the six-month mark, with most patients seeing meaningful regrowth after a year. “The texture can initially feel different with shorter, finer ’baby hairs’ along the hairline,” she cautioned. To help support hair regrowth, Cheung says that in-office treatments like lasers, radio frequency, and microneedling can be done in tandem with home care. “Consistent use of red light therapy and targeted serums containing peptides, growth factors and exosomes can help wake up hair follicles.”Based on Cheung’s recommendations, we’ve rounded up a selection of products that can stimulate and support hair growth after postpartum shedding. I’ve also included the miracle-working serum that I relied on for several months. Take a look and pick some up to help make this harrowing process a bit easier. It’ll be worth it when you start seeing all those little fuzzies coming in strong. SephoraThe highly-rated hair serum that actually gave me resultsThe Vegamour Gro+ Advanced hair serum was formulated by a dermatologist to promote healthier growth and help to reduce shedding. It's beloved by reviewers who say that it can visibly improve hair density and hydrate the scalp, which supports the skin barrier and hair follicles. One said it helped to stop their hair loss. The serum is formulated with plant exosomes (which Cheung recommended) and Spanish microalgae, a prebiotic that is essentially a superfood for your scalp. I used this all throughout the hair shedding and regrowth period and found that my hair sprouted back quickly and with an equal thickness that I had previously enjoyed. I like that the serum is rich, but non-greasy, and makes my scalp and hair feel hydrated. I massaged it in with a scalp massager near-daily for the better part of six months and I would recommend it to anyone going through the same. AmazonA highly rated Amazon-brand minoxidil treatmentMinoxidil topical solutions have grown in popularity among women in recent years, and Dr. Jessie Cheung, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, recommends it for those who are enduring postpartum hair loss. In previous coverage, board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration expert at Golden State Dermatology Dr. Paul Rose said, "Many brand-name and generic products contain minoxidil, including pharmacy store brands and online formulas." If you don't want to pay big box prices, we found this Amazon-branded minoxidil treatment, which has been rated by nearly 8,000 shoppers and has up to 4.2 stars. This treatment comes in an unscented liquid that's easily dispersed with a dropper.AmazonA peptide-packed density serum from The OrdinaryBased on Cheung's guidance that peptides may help support hair growth, especially when used in conjunction with minoxidil, we selected this popular hair density serum by The Ordinary, which features a concentrated dose of multiple peptides. This lightweight leave-in serum also contains a buffet of plant extracts that help nourish the scalp for healthier-looking and feeling hair over time.AmazonA budget-friendly scrub with soothing ingredientsDermatologists previously explained to us the potential hair growth benefits of using a scalp scrub, a simple product addition that, while not normally a direct hair growth treatment, does help create more favorable conditions for optimal hair growth."Soothing ingredients like aloe, tea tree, or peppermint help calm irritation and support a balanced scalp environment," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen previously said. She also said she prefers sugar-based scrubs over large, coarse physical exfoliants because they dissolve easily with water, which helps prevent over-scrubbing, and provide controlled mechanical exfoliation without being too abrasive.Based on Shokeen's guidance, we selected the Mielle rosemary mint clarifying sugar scrub, the brand behind the ultra-viral hair-strengthening oil (see below) that many users claim has improved their hair growth. Just like the reviewer-beloved oil, the scalp scrub also contains rosemary oil, which can potentially accelerate hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, thereby stimulating hair follicles, as well as nourishing hydrators like shea butter.AmazonAn everyday product that reviewers love for thinning hairThis reviewer-beloved shampoo from indie hair care brand Maple Holistics might look unassuming, but it has earned a highly coveted spot on this year's HuffPost Shopping Awards list. The biotin-infused, sulfate-free and color-safe formula works with other ingredients like rosemary, tea tree oil, vitamin E and argan oil to give the appearance of thicker, more nourished hair while supporting overall scalp and hair health.In previous reporting, dermatologists and trichologists have noted that some studies indicate that many of the active ingredients (like rosemary oil) used in this shampoo have been proven to support healthy hair growth. Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York City, said that rosemary oil conditions and strengthens hair while helping to reduce damage and breakage, which can contribute to a stronger hair appearance. “Research has also indicated that rosemary oil can potentially accelerate hair growth by improving blood circulation in the scalp, which stimulates hair follicles,” Garshick added.Contrary to popular belief, there isn't a lot of substantial evidence to support that biotin plays a meaningful role in hair growth, but Garshick noted that ingredients like evening primrose oil and jojoba can address dryness and brittleness. Naturally antifungal tea tree oil can help suppress dandruff and other scalp conditions caused by fungi or bacteria, which according to some studies, can affect hair growth and retention. Antioxidant vitamin E and argan oil may be able to support healthier hair and scalp while adding moisture and shine to strands.AmazonDermatologist-recommended hair growth supplementsCheung mentioned that supplements can support a hair growth regimen, and recommended Viviscal, which she says is "backed by good clinical studies." It's formulated with marine collagen, biotin, zinc and vitamin C to help feed hair follicles essential nutrients that can support hair health and strength.One reviewer said, "My hair is thicker and looks great. My mom actually thought I was wearing a wig the other day when I did my hair and it was just my hair! I will always use this and recommend it!!" Another noted, "I tried EVERYTHING with no results for 4 years. After 1 mo I started noticing 'sprouts' in my part and my hairline and crown are filled. I no longer see huge skin gaps when I put my hair up and it’s the longest Ive been able to get it in 5 years. The new growth has been insane."NordstromA red light cap from a popular wellness brand"Red light devices...are an easy, hands-free way to support consistent, at-home stimulation of regrowth," Cheung said.Both stylish and functional, this red light hat from Higher Dose can help to promote scalp and hair health. It's easy to charge (you won't be tethered to a cord while using it) and lasts for up to four treatments a week. You can use the hat for just ten minutes at a time to help stimulate the body's natural healing and growth process.Promising review: "I have been extremely interested in at home red light treatments lately. I’ve have really good luck with red light for my face, so naturally the next step was to try red light for my hair. This red light hat from Higherdose has been wonderful so far. First off, the cap itself feels substantial. It is a pricey item, but I can tell it’s going to last some time. The treatments only take 10 minutes a day and it’s super easy to incorporate into my routine. The cap shuts off automatically after the 10 minutes is up and the battery life lasts awhile before needing to be recharged. I love that it’s hands free and cord free! Even on an extremely hectic day, I was able to throw this on and run out the door without anyone even knowing I was treating my scalp/hair. I am only one month in of use, so not quite at the optimal usage time for full results. However, I do feel like my hair has been looking better! I am excited to see what my results look like in a few more months. Remember, consistency matters and is key with products like this so you must use daily for best results. This comes with a really handy storage bag that I store it in and keep with all my other red light devices so I make sure to use it everyday! If you’re experiencing some hair loss or looking to just improve the overall health of your scalp/hair, I think this cap is absolutely worth the investment." — Alli1023CécredA viral hair serum that has convinced skeptics of its efficacyCheung recommends using hair serums with active topical ingredients like peptides, which can be found in this celebrity-founded hair care brand. The internet's love for these restorative drops recently piqued our interest, especially once reviewers started referring to it as “heaven in a bottle” and “magic” for thinning hair. But it was managing editor Marquaysa Battle's glowing review of the hair serum that cemented its status as a HuffPost Shopping Award winner.She said, "I was starting to see the verrrry beginnings of stress trying to eat away at my hairline. Randomly, I saw GUYS mentioning how Cécred hair drops was helping theirs so I bought some for prevention. To my surprise, it not only halted hair loss in its tracks but it restored my hairline's fullness. Bonus: It didn't irritate my ultra-sensitive skin like a lot of other drops do."Formulated for all hair types and textures, this serum claims to be able to improve hair density, giving you fuller, healthier-looking hair. It sells out often and has a cult-following online, with impressed reviews and before-and-after photos and videos of their hair growth popping up on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.In previous reporting, Dr. Dina Strachan, a board-certified dermatologist at Aglow Dermatology in New York City, broke down some of the main ingredients in the drops, namely the key peptide ingredients that the brand claims can help visibly improve hair density. “Peptides are protein fragments or short chains of amino acids,” Strachan said. While she doesn’t have personal experience with the Cécred drops, she was able to tell from the ingredient list that “there are active ingredients that could theoretically contribute to hair growth and prevention of hair loss,” depending on the formulation.All signs point to these hair drops being a great part of a comprehensive hair care routine and can contribute to the overall growth, health and beauty of your locks — and earned it a HuffPost Shopping Award this year. AmazonAn LED and laser-powered cap that reviewers say is worth the investment Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp (among other experts) previously commented on the effectiveness of red light therapy on hair growth. According to him, "low-level light therapy (LLLT) makes use of the biological effect of light on hair follicles," and this impact on the mitochondria inside hair follicles can ultimately lead to increased cellular energy and protein production.Based on this knowledge, we've previously covered the iRestore treatment helmet, an FDA-cleared laser system that uses 282 lasers and LED lights to stimulate hair follicles for new growth. According to the brand, this hands-free device uses an optical wavelength, can be used to maximize the results of other hair loss treatments like minoxidil (if you choose to use it) and can be useful for conditions like alopecia, receding hairlines, pattern baldness and thinning hair. It even earned a HuffPost Shopping Award this year!Promising review: "I bought this product after trying minoxidil several times with no success. I did a lot fo research and several good studies done by neutral third-parties have shown this type of light therapy can work. I used this in combination with one other thing -- increasing my protein intake to at least 25 grams per meal, as per my doctor. She said it would take time, and it did. Unlike many others, I did NOT experience a shed before my new hair started to grow in, so that was good. I began seeing baby hair coming in at my hairline, at about the two month mark -- it was peach fuzz and in patches where I'd lost hair, so I knew it was new hair and not just regular regrowth. And that's obviously happening along my crown, too, but along your hairline it's much easier to see. Those hairs are between one and two inches long now, as I've been using the helmet for five months. So I'm calling this money well spent. I even bought a couple of hair pieces to wear before this, but now I won't be needing them anymore, which is SO liberating! I'm a customer for life. I also believe this product makes new hair grow in with thicker strands (which research also backs up), as it just seems to have more body (and therefore more coverage where your part is), without me changing any hair products. So that helps as well. I'm so beyond happy right now. Many negatives come with aging, but I was NOT ready to lose my hair!" — DianeAmazonA viral silicone-bristled scalp massagerA scalp massager likely won't do much on its own, but used in tandem with other products and strategies it could help to contribute to healthy hair growth. According to Los Angeles-based trichologist Anna Asarte, who previously spoke with HuffPost about the things you should never do if you're suffering from hair loss, the massager can also stimulate blood flow, which helps promote the health and growth of follicles. Reviewers agree that this silicone-bristled brush has created new hair growth, while also extending the amount of shampoo required to create a full and satisfying lather.AmazonA "gold-standard" dandruff shampoo that is more versatile than you might thinkExperts regularly sing the praises of the reviewer-beloved Nizoral shampoo, a "gold-standard" of dandruff treatments, according to one dermatologist."The active ingredient in this dandruff shampoo is [1%] ketoconazole, which has antifungal properties," Camp explained. And although he admits that evidence is limited, ketoconazole may help to reduce inflammation and the hormonal influences that can contribute to hair loss, in addition to helping to alleviate dandruff. Cheung added that "ketoconazole shampoo helps hair follicles stay in the growth phase longer."And if you're traumatized by other medicated anti-dandruff shampoos in the past, reviewers assure us that, unlike other market options that smell unpleasant, are harsh on hair and can have it feeling dry and gunky, Nizoral leaves tresses soft and clean-smelling.AmazonA widely revered liquid multivitamin for thicker hair