Womens Health

Hair care in pregnancy

Pregnancy is an amazing time of change for your body and your hair. Increases of hormones during pregnancy affect every woman's hair in a different way. For some women it's a time of increased hair and nail growth combined with thicker and shinier hair. However, some women are less fortunate and experience hair that is dry and breaks more easily.

Don't let changes in your hair during pregnancy bring you down. There are many tips you can follow to ensure that your hair looks healthy during this time. You don't have to wait until your hormones have returned to their pre-pregnancy levels before you make a change.

Nutrition

During pregnancy, both your hair and your body needs adequate nutrition in order to look and feel good. Hair is like your skin - the healthier you are, the healthier your hair will be.

There are many foods that are nutritionally excellent for pregnant women. The following is a list of foods that are particularly good for your hair. They include; yogurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds, whole grains and nuts.

To help nourish your hair during pregnancy, you should massage your scalp for 5 minutes every day. This stimulates the circulation. You can try adding aromatherapy oils (choose ones that are safe in pregnancy) to vegetable oil for an occasional aromatherapy massage of the scalp.

Style

The key to hair style in pregnancy is to choose a style that reflects the behaviour of your hair. If your hair has become straight and lifeless, use a product that adds volume or blow dry your hair upside down. If your curly hair is too frizzy, use a de-frizzing product and let your hair dry naturally.

If you are looking for a new style that will be easier to manage during the pregnancy, be aware that your face will change shape as your pregnancy progresses. Consult with your hair stylist on how to maximize the potential of your pregnancy hair.

Color

Coloring and perming your hair during pregnancy is an unclear issue. There is no direct evidence to suggest that these treatments harm the foetus, however, most physicians suggest that you avoid coloring your hair for at least the first trimester. Some experts recommend the use of vegetable dyes in place of synthetic chemical agents. It is also worth considering that hormonal changes can mean that the color you choose does not look the same on your hair.

Post partum hair loss

While estrogen levels increase during pregnancy, generally creating thicker hair, they fall quite dramatically once you have given birth. It is very normal for women to experience significant post partum hair loss ,which can take up to 12 months to taper off. Don't worry - your hair will return to its pre-partum state.

Not all women notice a dramatic change in their hair during or after pregnancy, but for those that do, it's a perfect opportunity to experiment with new hairstyles and techniques.

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