It’s Natural to Worry If You Find that Your Lustrous Hair is Thinning In Pregnancy(2021): A Guide to Why Hair Loss Can Occur During or After Pregnancy and What You Can Do

It’s Natural to Worry If You Find that Your Lustrous Hair is Thinning In Pregnancy(2021): A Guide to Why Hair Loss Can Occur During or After Pregnancy and What You Can Do

You may have heard that hair becomes thick and lustrous during pregnancy. It is a natural phenomenon; so there is no need to worry about a few hairs falling off. BP Guide helps you understand if hair loss is normal during pregnancy and what you can do to control it.

Related articles

Is Hair Loss Normal during Pregnancy?

The answer to this question is yes. It is normal to have hair loss in the early stages of pregnancy but when you compare that to the shedding during the postpartum stage, it will seem negligible. When an expecting mother suddenly starts losing hair, it usually causes concern in her and her well-wishers. More so if she had not had any hair fall issue before pregnancy. But it is quite normal to shed hair during this period of time. Usually, pregnancy is associated with thick, luscious hair as the growth cycles of hair pauses.

During pregnancy, most of the hair stays in the retentive stage because large amounts of estrogen hormone freeze the hair in the resting stage. Thus, the hair that would have normally shed as a result of the continuing hair growth cycle, stays put on the scalp thus doing the hair thicker and luscious. But each biology is different from another and in some cases, there is increased hair fall during pregnancy. But it is nothing to worry about as this is just a phase and is not eternal.

5 Causes of Hair Fall during Pregnancies

So hair falls during pregnancy is normal but why does it happen? There are many causes of hair fall during pregnancies and most are because of our lack of caution. If you are genetically endowed (or rather cursed) with brittle and rough hair or a scalp disease, then it is a natural cause. But if the cause is poor nutrition, poor health, stress and bad hair care products then the causes are created and should be rectified at the earliest. Read on to know about 5 most common causes of hair fall during pregnancy:

Poor Nutrition

Pregnancy requires that the body be provided with adequate nutrition. In fact, the body requires more than the usual amount of nutrition during those months. Less nutrition intake during pregnancy is one of the chief reasons of hair fall. On top of that, if a pregnant woman is nauseous in the first trimester, most of the nutrients in her body is lost. This lack of proteins, iron, vitamins and minerals is what causes hair fall during this period.

Poor Health and Medication

It has been seen in some cases that any underlying illness in the woman’s body is responsible for hair loss during pregnancy. Illnesses such as gestational diabetes, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and ringworms can lead to hair loss. Then there are scalp infections and allergies. Moreover, women are prone to hormonal changes during this time which interferes with the growth cycle of the hair. This can cause excessive hair fall. Not just illnesses, some medication can also lead to hair loss during pregnancy. Medicines to treat high blood pressure and depression can increase the chances of hair fall.

Stress

Stress during pregnancy is common and understandable, especially if it’s the first pregnancy. This is a completely new experience both for the body and the mind. The body goes through rapid changes, a multitude of thoughts races through the mind; will there be any complications? Will the baby be healthy? There is both excitement and apprehension. All these cause a lot of stress in the woman which in turn causes hair loss.

Bad Hair Care Products

Sometimes what keeps us alive is what that kills us. It is too dramatic a statement when we are discussing hair loss but otherwise, it is completely relevant when it comes to hair care products and the excessive shedding of hair. Most of us are not careful with what shampoo or hair conditioner we use. We indiscriminately pick up the best-rated shampoo and conditioner without thinking whether they will suit our skin and hair or not. Our shampoo and conditioner must-have ingredients that suit our skin and hair type or the results will be rough, dry and malnourished hair which will shed. One must be extra careful with shampoos and conditioners during pregnancy as the skin becomes very sensitive during that period of time. One must avoid shampoos and conditioners that have chemicals or there will be hair loss with every wash.

Genetics

Genetics is a coin; it has two sides. Sometimes, it gives you enviable characteristics and features and sometimes it gives you, well, problems that you can’t get rid of. Genes can give you luscious hair and it can also give you bad hair. If you have received the latter, hair fall will be a recurrent problem and will increase during pregnancy.

7 Solutions for Hair Loss during Pregnancy

There is nothing to worry about regarding hair fall during pregnancy. There are numerous solutions to that problem and all of them do not take much of your time, effort or money to execute. All that you have to do and all that you have to avoid doing, to prevent hair fall can be done from the comfort of your home. Follow this BP Guide to know about 8 solutions for hair fall during pregnancy:

Maintain a Healthy Diet

This is of utmost importance not only to prevent hair loss during pregnancy but also for the overall health of the expecting mother and the baby. A healthy diet solves 99% of all problems in our bodies. It is recommended that one consumes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables during pregnancy. There must be an adequate intake of antioxidants and flavonoids that helps in the growth of hair and protects hair follicles to prevent hair loss. Also, consuming Vitamins B, E, C complex, and zinc in moderate amounts is beneficial during pregnancy

Warm Oil Massage

This is one of the most effective ways of having healthy hair. Massaging your scalp with warm oil, keeping it for some time before washing it off with shampoo gives the best results with anything like strong, smooth and luxuriant hair. There is also a marked reduction in hair loss. Massaging your scalp with warm oil three times a week is what stands between you and great looking hair. This hair care routine must be followed during pregnancy to reduce hair loss. Warm a small bowl of coconut oil and massage it gently on the scalp and the hair strands. Keep it for 15 minutes before washing it off with shampoo.

Avoid Styling

Hairstyling is an absolute no during pregnancy. The hair is already not in its best shape and styling would worsen it. Hairstyling equipment uses heat to bring about your desired hairstyle. This heat is damaging to the hair strands and will aggravate the hair loss problem.

Do Not Comb Wet Hair

Combing hair right after coming out of the shower causes tremendous hair fall. You need to dry your hair with a towel followed by a hairdryer (or you can just leave it open for some time) before combing it. This is a simple but important tip to keep in mind to prevent excessive hair loss.

Use Good Quality Hair Care Products

You should always use the best of anything because you deserve nothing less than the best and because bad quality products will ruin your appearance. First things first, find out what you are allergic to or what doesn’t suit you and make sure that those are not there as ingredients in the hair care product. Then know the type of hair you possess. Considering these two points, find the best quality shampoo, oil and conditioner for yourself. You can also use some specialty shampoos and conditioners that are anti-hair fall. Hair loss increases during pregnancy and you are going to make that worse with bad quality hair care products so choose the best.

Consume Supplements

When the hair loss during pregnancy is severe and none of the methods are working, add some supplements to your diet but only after consulting the doctor. Some supplements that control hair loss are Biotin, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc.

Trichotherapy Regime

The Trichotherapy Regime is a 3 step process that involves scalp drops, protein sprays and nutritional supplements. Developed over 7 years in the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinics, it is a unique and holistic approach towards reducing hair shedding, increasing the volume of hair and achieving overall healthy hair. It helps in maintaining optimum scalp and hair health. If used daily, especially during pregnancy, it can provide instant conditioning, root lift, long-lasting shine and luxuriant hair. This is an award-winning regime that is bound to give you results.

The set contains a Tricho Pro Volumizing Protein Spray, a Tricho 7 Daily Scalp Drops and Tricho Complex Supplements. The first protects and repairs hair, the second stimulates hair growth from root to tip and the supplements are packed with essential amino acids and vitamins that promote hair growth and thickening. The directions on how to follow the Trichotherapy regime are very simple. Spritz the Tricho Pro Volumizing Protein Spray over freshly washed hair. Spray it over dry hair if the hair is not washed. Apply the Tricho 7 Daily Scalp Drops on the scalp. Put 5 drops starting from the front of the head to the crown. You can do this both on damp hair and dry hair. Lastly, take two supplements tablets per day, one with breakfast and another with lunch. Follow this regime every day for best results. You can get the pack for Rs. 11,625.

Organic Home Remedies to Prevent Hair Loss during Pregnancy

Natural remedies are always better than chemical ones. Organic remedies to prevent hair loss during pregnancy are highly effective and more so if you have sensitive skin. Products with chemicals in it, no matter how effective, does not agree to sensitive skin.

Following are some organic home remedies to reduce hair fall during pregnancy:

  • Neem is a medicinal herb that has proven highly effective in reducing hair fall due to scalp infections. Its antibacterial properties does the trick and removes bacteria from the scalp to prevent future infections. Make a paste of fresh neem leaves and apply it evenly on the scalp. Keep it for 15 minutes before washing it off in water. Do this twice a week for best results.
  • Amla is the best natural remedy for hair loss. There are two ways by which you can use amla. One is by consuming amla powder orally and the second is by massaging amla oil on the scalp. It not only prevent hair loss but also strengthens the hair to prevent future shedding.
  • Prepare half a cup of fresh coconut milk and massage it on the scalp. Keep it for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off with a mild(preferably herbal) shampoo. Coconut milk prevents hair loss by nourishing the scalp and giving healthy hair.
  • Prepare a mixture consisting of 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a beaten egg. Apply it on to the scalp and let it rest for about 30 minutes. Then rinse it with water. The result will be silky and thick hair.
  • Soak a small bowl of Fenugreek seeds overnight. Make a fine paste of it and apply it on the scalp. Let it rest for 3-4 hours before washing it off. The result will be lustrous hair and hair growth.
  • Eggs, yoghurt and olive oil together make a concoction that acts as a deep moisturizer for the hair. Mix the said ingredients in equal parts and apply the mixture to your scalp once a week for 30 minutes. Then rinse with a mild shampoo. Well-conditioned hair is less likely to shed.
  • Aloe Vera is another natural conditioner for the hair. Take fresh Aloe Vera gel and massage it onto the hair and scalp. Keep it for 15 minutes before rinsing in water.
Related articles
From our editorial team

Make Exercise a Habit

Unless you have issues during pregnancy, you should get regular exercise. Exercise promotes a healthy lifestyle and can help ease discomfort. Listen to your body and don’t overdo it. Drink plenty of water to prevent overheating or dehydration, especially in the second trimester. It’s best to avoid exercises that may cause you to fall. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.