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08.11.2021
#AskAStylist About Postpartum Hair Loss and Thinning
As a true leader in the hair care industry, we are privileged to feature Christina McCarver in NIOXIN’s #AskAStylist series. Throughout her conversation with full-time professional and mother Thalia Baines, Christina offered expert insight and provided stylist tips for issues ranging from hair care routine management to targeted solutions for postpartum hair loss and thinning.
Having worked in the styling industry since age 15, Christina’s expertise and experience is matched only by her passion for the craft and her personal mission to give her clients confidence through their hair. A successful hair artist, educator, leader, and mother—Christina has always recognized the importance of education in the hair industry. That awareness has been the platform that has enabled her in every facet of her career.
Her list of achievements is dizzying: she is an American Board Certified Master Colorist and industry authority published in Elle, Allure, Teen Vogue, and Modern Salon. Christina has also worked as a NYFW stylist, session stylist, and is an awarded hairstylist and professional educator. She currently leads the education for Sebastian Professional North America and manages Wella’s portfolio of Hair Artists.
(Christina McCarver Sr. Manager Sebastian Education & Hair Artists Community)
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Getting To Know Thalia: Balancing Work & Home Life
Christina: Taking care of our hair is so personal—everyone’s needs are individual. Tell me a little about yourself, your family, your job—let’s find solutions that solve your particular needs.
Thalia: Definitely. I have two children: my son, EJ, who is 6 years old, and my daughter Malia, 2 ½. They keep me busy. I work as Director of Reservations and Database Management at The Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills—also busy!
Christina: Wow! You’re not kidding, those are both such busy ages on their own, let alone having two! And I’m sure your day-to-day work keeps you on your toes, especially during this past year with COVID unease and restrictions to deal with. Stress is such a big factor in hair health, so I have to ask, what’s your stress level like both at work and at home?
Thalia: Work absolutely contributes to stress! Dealing with guests all day… it adds up. During COVID I work two weeks on, two weeks off, which helps keep my home/work balance manageable. Home life can get pretty hectic. My 6-year-old son has Autism and is a very active—add a 2 ½ year old to the mix and you have a party! My husband splits time between freelance graphic design and at-home-dad duties, that’s been a huge help with keeping things structured. It’s a team effort.
The Importance Of Structure
Christina: I love that you mention keeping your days structured. It sounds like that helps give you some balance, and it ties into what I want to talk about next: your hair routine. What is your current regimen? How often do you wash your hair and what time of day? Do you use hot tools?
Thalia: I keep things pretty simple. I wash my hair in the morning, but not every morning. I would say maybe twice a week. I feel like I can go a couple of days without washing. I usually wait for my hair to get oily to do so, and I use dry shampoo in between washes.
Christina: Ah, OK. As a professional, I would recommend more frequent washing of your scalp. See, we look at the scalp as an extension of the skin, so you can cleanse your scalp without stripping your hair of oils by how you apply shampoo. Shampoo should really be concentrated at the scalp, that’s where your hair gets the dirtiest. This helps create the optimum environment for healthy hair growth.
Thalia: Thinking of the scalp like an extension of the face is such a helpful way to look at it, I like that. I could definitely use some more focus on my scalp specifically.
Christina: It makes all the difference. I really want you to try Purifying Exfoliator, it’s going to overhaul your scalp health—it’ll remove dead skin and build up and leave it so clean and refreshed, it’s like a facial for your scalp.
Thalia: Awesome! I definitely will. Oh, and you asked about hot tools. I don’t use them right now. I just don’t have the time.
Christina: That totally makes sense. If you ever do add them into your regimen, be sure to use a heat protectant—I’d strongly recommend Therm Activ Protector for that, it’ll help prevent breakage while you’re styling with heat. And keep the heat at 365F, to avoid damage. What about professional treatments? Are there any you have done regularly?
Thalia: I had Japanese hair straightening done last year, and again this year. I had very thick, long, wavy hair—think Moana—and I’d only wear it down was if it was straight, so I wanted to try permanent straightening.
Christina: I bet that was amazing; it looks gorgeous, and I’m sure it must have made your hair so much easier to manage.
Thalia: Exactly. I have very little time to style it daily, now I can just wash and go, literally not even blow-drying it, just air-dry. I love it.
Christina: Air-drying makes so much sense when you’re on a tight schedule. My pro-tip for air-drying is to use a conditioning styling product—like Bodifying Foam—it helps so much. You get the added body and it keeps your hair healthy and moisturized.
Thalia: Oh, terrific! I won’t lie, moisturizing isn’t something I always prioritize like I should, especially when I’m hurrying.
Postpartum Hair Loss: Addressing Concerns With Targeted Solutions
Christina: We’re going to build a care regimen for you today. The more I know the better I can fine-tune it, so I want to pick your brain about your personal experience with postpartum hair loss.
Thalia: Sounds good, fire away.
Christina: All right. What was your hair like before having children?
Thalia: Thick, long, and wavy. I actually liked doing my hair, when I had the time! I’d straighten it, curl it, wear it down, put it up it was so versatile.
Christina: And during your pregnancy?
Thalia: It was the same.
Christina: Interesting, OK. Did you experience any postpartum hair loss?
Thalia: I did, at exactly 5 months after giving birth.
Christina: What about during the second the one?
Thalia: Honestly, it never really stopped after my first child. I noticed a significantly thinner ponytail and smaller bun when I’d put my hair up. And it felt like my hair was constantly falling out even before I got the straightening done.
Christina: I can totally relate. I had an incredible amount of hair loss after the birth of my daughter until I stopped breast feeding. It was very scary and really made me realize how much I loved my hair! I think this is something a lot of moms can relate to, but it’s not talked about a lot.
Thalia: I agree, it’s definitely something that I wish was more known. I would like to have been more prepared for it.
Christina: Tell me about your current concerns. What areas are you most self-conscious about when it comes to your hair?
Thalia: Overall, I notice thinning. I feel like I just I don’t have as much hair on my head as I used to. Breakage is also a concern, I worry that the hair I have isn’t strong and it’s more likely to break in general. I get dry spots on my scalp, especially on the left side of my forehead near the hairline—I notice that after washing.
Christina: Do you take any supplements or vitamins for your hair?
Thalia: Just Vitamin B.
Christina: OK, last couple questions and we can talk solutions! How do you style your hair?
Thalia: I usually keep it down, air-dried. Sometimes a low ponytail or a bun.
Christina: And, finally, tell me your favorite thing about your hair before and after pregnancy?
Thalia: Before pregnancy, it was length and thickness. After pregnancy… can I decline to answer?
Christina: Hah! Of course. Before we dive in, I want to say thank you for being so willing to share! Postpartum hair loss can be a sensitive subject, and like we talked about, it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I’m excited to think of the women who will be encouraged by hearing about your experience.
Thalia: Absolutely. I’m happy to help!
Christina: All right, Let’s talk regimen. I think you’re going to like the hair loss solutions that I’ve outlined for you. They’re going to combat a lot of your concerns. The System Kit 5 is a must, it’ll help with your hair’s moisture on top of keeping your scalp healthy and optimized for hair growth. I want you to add the Deep Protect Density Mask once or twice weekly, it’ll really help reduce breakage which is a common cause for hair loss.
Thalia: I’m already loving the sound of this! Breakage is a big one. Anything that helps avoid that, I’m interested in.
Christina: I want you to start adding Diamax Advanced, on your scalp first thing after a shower. It’s the best; you don’t have to blow-dry it, so it won’t disrupt your current routine, and it’s really strengthening. Its claim to fame is that it’s like adding 11,000 strands of hair to your head, and you’ll see that when you use it.
Thalia: That sounds wonderful, especially without needing to blow-dry.
Christina: Lastly, and a personal favorite of mine, is Night Density Rescue. Your scalp oxidizes overnight—think like a copper penny turning green over time—and that can cause hair loss. Night Density Rescue helps stop that oxidation and has proven to promote hair density in two months! I know I’ve given you a bunch of products, but trust me, this lineup is going to be so easy to incorporate into your existing routine, and you’re going to love the results.
Thalia: I appreciate it! It sounds like it’s focused on exactly what I need, I’m ready to get started.
Christina: Thank you again for taking the time to share about your journey and your hair loss concerns.
Thalia: The pleasure was mine.
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Learn from the experts with NIOXIN’s #AskAStylist series. Firsthand reflections and advice on hair loss and thinning concerns—and solutions to answer them—from hair industry leaders. And discover your targeted hair loss solutions, by browsing NIOXIN’s full range of System Kits, care products, and treatments. Our trained haircare professionals can help you understand hair loss during pregnancy and postpartum hair loss and recommend NIOXIN products to keep your hair healthy and strong.