Hair changes are one of the most common concerns during prenatal and postpartum life stages. Many women notice more shedding than usual, others see changes in thickness or fullness, and some feel their hair never quite bounces back the same way. That’s why saw palmetto is part of the Maze Perinatal Complex. This plant extract has been studied for its role in reducing hair fall and reinforcing follicle strength, making it a valuable addition to a routine that supports women through these transitional stages.
What Saw Palmetto Is and How It Works
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a botanical extract known for its gentle yet targeted effect on hair follicles. Its main role is thought to be linked to reducing the influence of DHT, a hormone by-product that can weaken follicles and shorten the growth phase of hair. By limiting this impact, saw palmetto helps follicles stay stronger for longer, supporting healthier growth cycles.
In addition to its influence on DHT, saw palmetto contains fatty acids and phytosterols with antioxidant and soothing properties. These can help ease stress at the scalp, support circulation at the surface, and create a healthier environment for follicles to thrive.
The result? A scalp that feels more balanced, and hair that has a better chance of growing fuller, thicker, and more resilient over time.
Benefits for Hair and Scalp
Saw palmetto supports both the root and the visible fibre, making it a multitasker within our routine.
- Helps reduce hair fall by reinforcing follicle strength
- Supports regrowth by creating a healthier scalp environment
- Encourages fuller, thicker-looking hair over time
- Protects against stressors with antioxidant activity that helps shield the scalp and follicles
- Improves comfort at the scalp by calming irritation and balancing oiliness
Rinse-Off vs Mask Use
Because saw palmetto works at the scalp level, it can be effective in both short-contact and longer-contact routines.
- In a shampoo or conditioner: Even during a quick wash, it starts working at the surface and follicles, helping to limit shedding and maintain balance.
- As a mask: With more time to absorb, it provides additional support for follicle resilience and protection against oxidative stress, helping to reinforce growth conditions more deeply.
That means whether you are in a hurry or taking a moment for a longer treatment, you are still giving your hair and scalp the benefits of saw palmetto.
Why Saw Palmetto Matters in the Perinatal Complex
During pregnancy and the postpartum months, hair is heavily influenced by hormones. Many women experience thicker hair during pregnancy thanks to prolonged growth phases, followed by sudden shedding in the months after birth when hormone levels shift again.
Our own survey confirmed this reality: over half of women told us they were concerned about regrowth around the hairline, and 44% reported hair loss or thinning compared to pre-pregnancy. These insights became the foundation for our Perinatal Complex.
This is where saw palmetto becomes particularly valuable. By helping to reduce the hormonal stress on follicles, it supports the transition back to a more balanced growth cycle. At the same time, its soothing and antioxidant qualities help maintain a scalp that feels healthier and more comfortable during a period when many women also reported changes in oil production, dryness, or irritation.
For Maze, including saw palmetto in the Perinatal Complex was about offering targeted support during one of the most challenging hair phases many women go through. It is not a quick fix or a miracle ingredient, but part of a holistic system designed to gently reinforce follicles and encourage stronger, fuller-looking hair with consistent use.
Gentle, Consistent Support
Saw palmetto offers a unique combination of benefits: it helps reduce hair fall, supports regrowth, protects follicles from stress, and creates a healthier scalp environment. Whether in a quick rinse or a longer mask treatment, it provides ongoing support for hair that feels fuller, stronger, and more resilient over time.
At Maze, we believe understanding the why behind each ingredient makes your routine more meaningful. With saw palmetto, that why is follicle support: helping to reduce hair fall, encourage regrowth, and maintain a healthier scalp environment during life stages when hair often feels more vulnerable.
And it is only one part of the bigger picture. Together with centella asiatica, green tea, and niacinamide, saw palmetto forms our Perinatal Complex - a targeted system designed around the real concerns women told us about during pregnancy and postpartum. Explore our other ingredient spotlights on the Maze Website to see how each one plays its part.
