An oft remarked upon phenomena in my experience talking with other mothers,
breastfeeding or not, is increased hair loss after pregnancy.  Does anyone
care to comment on this relationship?  Is it hormonal?  How much does
lactation have to do with it?  I always considered that I didn't have thick
hair--and after my babies were born, I started noticing lots of hair in the
tub.  Now, two years after my youngest weaned, I am still losing hair.
 Fairly recently, I got my hair cut short.  I still notice hair, but the
person who cuts my hair says it really is quite thick--fine, but thick.  So,
my experience would seem to suggest that even though one may lose hair after
pregnancy (and lactation?), it is not lost forever.  A mother just called me
to say that her hair was curly before her baby was born, but is now straight
and she is losing it.  She asked if getting a perm would be risky--the
mercury, the ammonia.  I told her that the risk would certainly be greater if
she were ingesting these things (not to be glib)--that logically, absorbtion
through the skin would be less of a concern.  I told her I'd check it out.
 Folklore has sit that perms don't take during pregnancy.  Is it true?  Why?
 Is it true also during lactation?  Anyone?
Diane Dressler