Pregnancy brings with it a slew of changes that can affect everything even your hair.There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it comes to washing and drying your hair during pregnancy. First and foremost, be careful! Being all belly and all thumbs may make simple moves a tad more challenging and potentially dangerous if you lose your balance. Keep that in mind and take it slow. Also factor in the potential for postural hypo tension the drop in blood pressure and dizziness that can result when you bend over and get up quickly.
One more thing. You’re one hot mama right now, so don’t make yourself even hotter by blasting your dryer on high with the bathroom door closed. Opt for the warm setting instead and leave the door open so cool air can circulate. That way you’ll avoid getting clammy or dizzy and you might just reduce the frizz factor as well.
The straight and narrow. Many women find their hair texture changes while pregnant. Straight hair might get a bit of bounce or even full-fledged curls; curly hair might go straight. Enjoy the change while it lasts, and simply modify your hair-care routine during pregnancy — your hair is likely to return to its normal state after your baby is born.
In the thick of it. Many women find that their hair — along with their waistline — becomes thicker when they’re pregnant. Hair can get shinier too. (Better-looking hair can contribute to that “glow” some lucky women get when pregnant.) That’s because higher estrogen levels slow your hair’s shedding process, so hairs that would normally fall out stay on your scalp, thickening your locks.
The color conundrum. Talk to your doctor about coloring, perming, or relaxing your hair during pregnancy. Some docs prefer to have you wait until after the first trimester, or even hold off until after delivery, to avoid the possibility of having your baby exposed to the chemicals in utero. If you choose to treat your hair, make sure your stylist knows you’re expecting. He or she can keep contact between the chemicals and your scalp to a minimum. (Contact with your hair poses no risk.) You might also want to switch to highlights or lowlights during your pregnancy, since these treatments are less likely to touch your scalp.
The down side. After you deliver your baby, or after you stop breastfeeding, your estrogen levels will return to normal, and you may find your hair thinning as you shed the hair you held onto during pregnancy. After this first round of shedding, your hair will return to its normal growing and shedding cycle, at least until your next pregnancy.
Oily or dry? You might find changes in the moisture levels of your hair along with changes in its texture. If you’re lucky, your hair might move in the direction you want. But anything can happen — oily hair can get more oily, and dry hair can dry out even more. You’ll need to pay attention to the direction your hair is taking and possibly modify your shampooing and conditioning routine — or even change products.
If you opt for coloring, perming, or relaxing during your pregnancy, keep in mind that the fluctuating hormone levels may make your hair respond differently than it normally does. Talk to your stylist to see what he or she recommends at this stage.
