Postpartum hair loss: Constance Chaperon shares her story
Constance is an actress, scriptwriter and is setting up her own theatre company, Les Conversations. She's also the mother of Paul, 5 years old, and Carmen, 1 year old. She confides that her work has evolved over the course of her pregnancies, just as her hair has.
Protecting myself from postpartum hair loss
Constance's eyes sparkle. She points out the final corrections to be made on her manuscript. A few lines, to be paced for more rhythm. This is the new episode of the comedy web series she is writing with a friend, which deals with various social issues in an absurd way. Since her two pregnancies, everything takes more effort. You have to get your confidence back, despite the fatigue. And you have to make room for yourself. But the creation and the energy are there. The recovery is beautiful, and Constance knows how to be twice as imaginative, in all aspects.
How would you describe your hair?
My hair is quite soft, fine. And long. But I often put it up in a bun. A loose bun. You have to impress. I love to impress, a little bit; making an impression is my job. So, messy locks to create volume. With my two pregnancies close together, my hair became flat and dry. I had no choice but to reinvent myself. I feel like I've come a long way. Four months after the birth of my second child, I had to start all over again: my hair had no strength, no texture, and I was losing it by the handful. Not to mention the ones that ended up in Carmen's tight little fists.
Was this hair loss linked to your postpartum?
Yes, clearly. This hair loss is linked to the drop in oestrogen in the postpartum stage; it's well known and it's the fate of all young mothers. But when you really experience it, it's quite depressing. The hair loses its beauty. It's in crisis. As if the baby's cries weren't enough, our hair also has to cry out for attention in its own way!
“Four months after the birth of my second child, I had to start all over again: I was losing hair by the handful.”
It took a while to combat the hair loss, I guess?
Yes, but not only that. First of all I had to eat well, sleep well. Eating chocolate — I mean iron, as much as possible (laughs). I resisted the urge to cut it all off, but I must admit that every other day I would create the illusion by putting on a red bandana with a little bow. You should always go for some colour! I had noted a few tips to limit postpartum hair loss and thicken my hair: I tried not to use heavy conditioners and not to blow dry my hair on such high heat. I still avoid combing it when it's wet.
Turns out my professional life is like my hair after all. I see the growth, I regain my confidence, I remain demanding about what is best for me. And I’ve also accepted that it takes time to get back to my full level of activity.