There’s a ton of talk about what’s safe and what’s not safe to do to your hair during pregnancy. Can you dye it? Is it okay to relax it? We answer these questions with our pregnancy hair facts, as well as take a look at some of the common changes your hair may go through while you’re pregnant and even after you give birth!
Fact: Your hair becomes thicker during pregnancy.
According to Andre Walker, Creative Director of Andre Walker Hair, LLC and seven-time Emmy Award winning stylist to Oprah Winfrey, there’s a good possibility that it might. “Due to the rise of hormones in a pregnant woman’s body, hair can grow faster and less is lost,” he explains. Hmm, we guess that’s why all pregnant ladies seem to have the best hair!
Fact: It’s not uncommon for you to lose a lot of hair post-pregnancy.
Turns out, that new full head of hair won’t last forever though. Board certified dermatologist and clinical professor at UCLA Taynya Kormeili tells us that women typically come into her office about three months after giving birth to report hair loss. “It seems so sudden and abrupt,” she describes “often leaving their scalps thin with few thick strands remaining.” Don’t fret however, this condition actually has a name (Telogen effluvium) and affects between 40-50% of women post-pregnancy. The good news is, within a few months your hair should return to normal and no permanent loss is likely.
Myth: You can’t relax, dye or get your hair permed when pregnant.
Though no studies have been done, Dr. David Adler of Comprehensive OB-GYN of the Palm Beaches says that at his practice, they recommend not dying your hair (or getting it relaxed or permed) during your first trimester, but after that, it’s probably okay, he notes.
Myth: You can predict the gender of your baby by the texture of your hair during pregnancy.
Surprise, surprise! Hair texture is not a predictor of gender in any way, informs Dr. Adler. So go ahead, and get that ultrasound or quit trying to guess.
Fact: It’s normal for your scalp to be more sensitive to chemical treatments after pregnancy.
Seasoned stylist and creator of Runway Tools, Avi Elkayam, confirms this fact. “If you dye your hair, you may want to switch from a single process color to a gloss or highlights for a while,” he advises. “This will minimize the chemical contact with your scalp and prevent you from over-processing the new hair re-growth, which can cause breakage.”
Now that you know what to expect, peep these great hair products pregnant women and new moms will love.