Pregnancy hair MM


During your pregnancy, you may find that your hair changes in different ways, and may even change more than once during the nine months.


The joys of pregnancy hair


Andrew Watson Andrew Watson Hairdressing


As if pregnancy wasn't a big enough change, hormonal fluctuations mean your hair can change also! It’s no secret that you may find that your


hair feels fuller when you're pregnant. You're not actually growing more hair (and the strands themselves aren't any thicker) – you're just losing it more slowly than you usually do. Here's what's going on: Before you got pregnant, your hair was


on a natural three-month cycle of growing, resting and then gradually shedding. At any one time, around 85-95 per cent of your hairs were growing, and five-fifteen per cent were in the ‘resting’ stage – which gradually leads to shedding, usually when you brush or wash your hair. However, now that you're pregnant,


higher levels of oestrogen prolong the growth and resting phase, meaning you're not shedding nearly as much hair as normal – and it’s that that makes you look like you’ve got a fuller head of hair. So rather than growing more hair, you're actually just losing less - for now. Work this to your advantage! If your hair


is long, unleash your inner style goddess and blow-dry with an eye to the ‘oomph’ factor. Apply some mousse for extra effect. And, now that your hair is fuller, you can start experimenting with different styles. However, if you find that your hair is too full, try tying it into a glam chignon or a swishy pony tail. Another great way to


decrease fullness is to ask your hairdresser about cutting your hair with layers to reduce the heaviness. You may notice a change in condition


and texture. Pregnancy can cause curly hair to go straight, and vice versa. If you're frustrated with how to handle any changes, talk to your stylist about the best tactics! These changes may even remain, unlike


other changes which usually revert after around a year, although there is no way to predict this. Your scalp may also become either drier or oilier. While hair often becomes shinier during pregnancy, if your hair is already dry, it may in fact become drier with the hormonal changes. To combat this, try weekly deep-


conditioning treatments and hot oil treatments once a month. Moroccan oil treatments are fantastic for achieving a deep condition and are sulphate/ phosphate and paraben free. The treatment oil will also aid in styling and speed up drying time. Unlike most oils, it is alcohol free (alcohol is very dehydrating for hair). Moroccan oil also have a fabulous range for styling, all infused with argan oil and other nutrients to keep your hair in top condition whilst improving manageability. Just the same as your hair may become


drier during pregnancy, it may also get oilier too. If you find this happens to you, only apply conditioner to the ends to untangle and don't use it every day. Try switching your brush to one with wood or


nylon bristles, rather than natural bristle brush which simulates oil production on the scalp. Your postpartum locks probably won't


be as luxurious. After giving birth, the growth/rest cycle goes back to its previous pattern, so you may notice more hair falling out. Expect to lose the ‘excess’ volume of hair in the months after the birth. It should fall out gradually, and not in any dramatic way. When you give birth, you’re losing out


on all that extra oestrogen you were getting for months…and the sudden decline in hormones could be at the root of post-pregnancy hair loss. Your hair won't, in normal circumstances, be any thinner than it was before you were pregnant, just back to its old volume and condition. If, however, your hair seems to be falling


out in handfuls in the months following birth, this isn't uncommon. Almost half of new mums experience it and, although it can be distressing at the time, just like the hair changes you experienced in pregnancy, it's temporary. It's just that women's hormones settle at different rates, so if yours re-balance very quickly, all the effects of pregnancy will be reversed more rapidly. Remember, you're not losing more hair than you would in your normal non-pregnant state - it's just that all the hair you held on to thanks to your pregnancy hormones is shedding at once.


Modernmum 37


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