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Hair Care Articles
Change is in the Hair:
How Pregnancy Transforms Your Tresses
By Jennifer Bahney Longhairlovers.com
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Pregnancy changes your entire
body, and your hair is no exception. Many women experience luxuriant
growth and increased thickness, while others find that their once lively
locks have become dull or limp.
If you find that your hair is growing fast and thick,
you can thank the increased amount of estrogen in your body. Estrogen
sends a signal to your hair follicles that they need to get growing and
stop shedding. Increased estrogen also revs up your metabolism, which
brings nutrients to your scalp as well as to your growing belly. In
addition, many women eat better and take vitamins during pregnancy,
which leads to healthy hair growth as well as a healthy body.
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Pregnancy changes your entire
body, and your hair is no exception. Many women experience luxuriant
growth and increased thickness, while others find that their once lively
locks have become dull or limp.
If you find that your hair is growing fast and thick,
you can thank the increased amount of estrogen in your body. Estrogen
sends a signal to your hair follicles that they need to get growing and
stop shedding. Increased estrogen also revs up your metabolism, which
brings nutrients to your scalp as well as to your growing belly. In
addition, many women eat better and take vitamins during pregnancy,
which leads to healthy hair growth as well as a healthy body.
If your mane seems to change texture – from straight
to curly, full to limp – or won’t take a perm, that’s because the
pregnancy hormones also affect the very structure of your hair. They get
to the cortex, which is responsible for giving hair its curl and
elasticity. According to one mom of a 17-month old baby boy, “About
three months into my pregnancy, my hairdresser pointed out that my hair
seemed thicker and curlier than before. And I had always had rather
fine, straight hair.”
Instead of trying to fight these changes, learn to
work with them. Running to the salon every few weeks to trim back your
new growth can be expensive and time consuming. Why not revel in your
newly lush locks? Invest in some snazzy hair accessories to dress it up
or wear it down in all its lustrous glory. If you find yourself suddenly
wavy or curly, invest in products that help define the shape and fight
frizz. Give limp locks a boost with thickening and volumizing products
concentrated at the roots. If you’re not sure where to begin, ask your
stylist for tips and product recommendations.
To keep your hair and scalp in good condition, treat
yourself to a soothing aromatherapy scalp massage once every few weeks.
Simply add several drops of essential oils to a half-cup of warm
vegetable oil. Essential oils considered safe to use during pregnancy
include lavender, neroli, patchouli, sandalwood and ylang ylang. Massage
into your scalp and ends, then wrap your hair in a warm towel and relax
for as long as you like.
Since hair is one of the first indicators of good
health, women suffering from severe morning sickness or poor eating
habits should look to their hair for warning signs that they’re not
getting enough nutrients, especially iron. Even a small iron deficiency
can lead to dry, brittle hair that’s lighter than your natural color and
falls out easily. If you notice any alarming changes in your hair, be
sure to tell your doctor.
After the baby comes, don’t be surprised if all that
beautiful new growth begins to fall out. Many women notice increased
shedding from about 3 to 6 months after delivery, which is simply a sign
of the body adjusting as hormone levels return to normal. It may take a
couple of hair growth cycles (up to several years) before your texture
completely returns to normal, especially if you wear your hair long.
Remember that everyone’s body – and hair – reacts
differently to pregnancy. Have fun with the changes and remember,
they’re only temporary.
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