Effect of Pregnancy on Hair

Effect of pregnancy on hair could be in many different ways. You’ll be surprised to know that this is often the case in both sexes, due to increased stress, anticipation and changes in lifestyle when expecting a baby. Some women report their hair looks better than ever during pregnancy. In fact, during our study, a third of the women questioned said they saw an improvement in their hair after 4-5 months. They noticed it looked and felt thicker and had more body and shine.

However, the other third found that their hair was more problematic than usual – that it was drier and needed extra moisture. And the remaining third noticed no difference at all. It isn’t fully understood why certain women have wonderful hair during pregnancy and others do not. We believe it’s because hormonal changes vary in each individual, and during different pregnancies. Also, the sensitivity of hair follicles to these changes is different. It’s impossible to estimate in advance what these effects will be. Your hair can be great during a first pregnancy and be quite the reverse in the second – or vice versa.

Rest assured though, if you do experience hair issues, it’s very rare for a woman to have problems with her hair all through the 9 months. The last 3 months in particular should be very good for your hair.

YOUR HAIR IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER

During the first trimester your hair may feel thicker. But it won’t actually be thicker so early on, due to the rate at which hair grows. Hair only grows half an inch a month, so it would take around 6 months to a year (depending on the length of your hair) to notice any actual change in overall thickness.

Perceived thickness happens because pregnancy immediately increases oestrogen levels and reduces the circulation of androgens (male hormones). This causes your follicles to produce less sebum – oil – and so you get bouncier roots and more body. However, less sebum can also make your hair feel drier, so make sure to moisturize and hydrate your hair.

PREGNANCY AND YOUR SCALP

Occasionally scalp conditions such as psoriasis can temporarily disappear during pregnancy. However, your hair and scalp usually go back to their previous state once your baby is born. Many women experience postpartum hair loss 3 to 4 months after the baby is born.