Naomi Osaka Discusses Postpartum Hair Loss During Japan Open

Osaka, Japan — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka recently shared her personal experiences with postpartum hair loss while competing at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open. In a recent social media post, she opened up about the challenges she faced after giving birth to her daughter Shai on July 7, 2023.

Osaka, who is the top seed at the WTA 250 event, engaged with her fans on TikTok, posting a video titled “For My Hair Girlies Only.” In the video, she humorously discussed how her hair changed during and after pregnancy, explaining, “I’ve been really struggling with my hair for like the past two years. Like, during pregnancy and after pregnancy I lost my edges and stuff.”

She expressed relief, stating, “They’re back now. Well, kind of. Kind of! Don’t look too closely.” Osaka revealed that she dyed her hair a lot which led to further hair loss, but she feels her hair is improving. Postpartum hair loss, known as telogen effluvium, typically occurs as hormone levels return to normal after childbirth.

Osaka’s experience reflects a common issue among new mothers, with many experiencing similar hair loss that often resolves within six to twelve months after giving birth. She highlighted the pressure to “snap back” to her previous self while adjusting to her new role as a mother.

In her TikTok update, she explained her choice of hairstyles during this period, saying, “I’ve been wearing a ponytail, as you can tell, because I didn’t know how to wear my hair.” However, she concluded on a positive note, “I think we’re back! Hey!”

Fans responded warmly to her candidness, leaving supportive comments like, “Those are literally hair goals girlie,” and encouraging her to embrace her natural style.

Furthermore, Osaka’s accomplishments on the court have also been remarkable. She reached her first WTA 1000 final since 2022 in Montreal and made it to the US Open semifinals, defeating notable players like Coco Gauff along the way.

At the Japan Open, Osaka dominated her opening match, securing a 6-0, 6-4 victory against Japanese wild card Wakana Sonobe. She is set to face Suzan Lamens next in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, continuing her return to competitive tennis.

Fans can catch all the action from the Kinoshita Group Japan Open, running from October 13-19, live on Tennis Channel.