Hair Care During Pregnancy

Words cannot describe the joy you feel when you find out you're going to be a mother . With that good news comes a lot of hope. But a baby isn't the only gift you're getting at this time. You've probably also noticed that your hair is growing longer, fuller, and more beautiful than ever. In fact, many doctors tell their patients, "Your hair is at its most beautiful at this time of your life, so enjoy it." So today, let's talk about this amazing change and how to take care of your hair during this time.

What really happens to hair during pregnancy?

To understand this, we need to know a little about how our hair grows. Normally, our hair grows in a three-phase cycle. That is, the active growth phase, the resting phase, and the shedding phase. This cycle is why even a healthy person loses about 100 hairs per day.

But when you're pregnant, the hormonal changes in your body change this hair cycle. Simply put, the hair that's supposed to fall out stays on your head instead of falling out. That's the main reason why your hair looks thicker and fuller during pregnancy.

Not only that, some research has found that during this time, the thickness of the hair shaft, which means its diameter, increases . So it's no surprise that hair becomes thicker.

Another thing is that some women's hair texture may also change during this time. For example, if you had straight hair, it may become a little wavy. Or someone who had curly hair may have straighter hair. Although the exact cause of this is not yet known, doctors believe that hormonal changes may cause a change in the shape of the hair follicle, where hair growth begins.

Using Hair Dyes and Chemicals - Good or Bad?

If you're someone who regularly dyes, highlights, or relaxes/straightens your hair, you may be wondering whether you should continue doing these things during pregnancy or stop for a while. There are actually different opinions on this.

• Some doctors advise completely stopping the use of such chemicals during this time.
• Some other doctors are of the opinion that there is no major problem with continued use.
• Another opinion: It is okay to stay away from these completely during the first trimester of pregnancy, and then use them afterwards.

The main risk is that these harsh chemicals can be absorbed through your scalp and into your body, and then into your baby in the womb. These things can be absorbed into the body through the tiny pores in our scalp. Therefore, it is best to stay away from chemicals as much as possible during this time.

The most important thing is to talk to your obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) for advice before undergoing any treatment.

What about everyday shampoo and conditioner?

In most cases, this is nothing to worry about. You can continue to use your regular shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, and gel during pregnancy .

But there is one thing to be careful of. If you are using a medicated shampoo prescribed by a doctor for a specific condition like dandruff, you should definitely ask your doctor if it is appropriate during this time. Some medicated shampoos may not be suitable during pregnancy.

Another thing is that we can't stand certain smells during pregnancy. If the smell of your shampoo or conditioner is bothering you, switching to fragrance-free products is a good solution.

Hair loss after having a baby - is it something to be afraid of?

Your beautiful, full hair days can end in just a few months after having a baby. It can be scary to see a lot of hair falling out all of a sudden. But this is really nothing to be afraid of.

Simply put, this is what happens: those extra hairs that were left on your head during pregnancy due to your hormonal levels are now suddenly starting to fall out. This usually happens between 3 and 6 months after having a baby. Some people may notice this very strongly, while others may not notice it as much.

So don't worry or be afraid about this. This is just another part of the journey of becoming a mother.