There are many changes to different parts of your body during pregnancy, and your hair is one of them. One of the changes your hair can experience is excessive dryness, which can worsen due to unhealthy practices in your daily routine, lack of moisture application and lack of proper nutrients that keep your hair healthy and abundant. However, by understanding your hair care metamorphosis during pregnancy and what you can change to help better your hair, you can achieve softer, healthier hair.
Causes
The onset of dry hair during pregnancy typically occurs during the second trimester and can occur in hair that had not experienced dryness before. In addition, hair that was already dry before pregnancy may experience excessive dryness during gestation. Dryness occurs because your hair system is a part of your system of skin, and your skin system is affected by the hormonal changes during pregnancy. This could be exacerbated by the growth of more hair, another side effect of pregnancy, as extra hair may experience dryness as well. Also exacerbating this problem is excessive washing, as this strips the hair of the natural oils it needs to moisturize your hair.
Topical Treatments
To remedy dry hair, try using shampoos that are mild and low-detergent, as these help lessen the amount of natural oils stripped from your hair. After shampooing, use a moisturizing conditioner to help replenish any lost oil from the wash. Perform this hair care routine only twice or three times a week to lessen dryness from excessive washing. For added help, try a hot oil treatment or hot oil massage after each hair care regimen. You can make your own oil by adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender, to a half-cup of vegetable oil. Massage this into the scalp and the strands for five to 10 minutes and rinse.
Quick Treatments
If you use a blow dryer or a heat-based styling tool, such as a curling iron or hair straightening tool, you may be adding to your hair's dryness. To remedy this, you can air dry your hair instead of using the high-heat from these products, or you can put your products on the lowest heat setting. For another treatment, try cornstarch instead of a shampoo, as excessive shampooing can also dry out hair. Sprinkle a little cornstarch to your hair to lift some of the dirt from your strands and brush out after a few minutes.
Warning
Be sure to limit the amount of chemicals that are exposed to your hair, as these soak into your scalp and bloodstream and can pose issues with the pregnancy, says the Care Fair site. Look for all-natural hair care products for as little exposure to chemicals as possible. These chemicals can also pose problems with the pregnancy symptoms you experience during the first trimester, as harsh chemical smells can irritate a hypersensitive olfactory sense and aggravate morning sickness.
Considerations
Hair changes in pregnancy can vary, from added oiliness and additional hair to dryness and hair in uncommon and unwanted places. Thus, you may experience a variety of hair issues during pregnancy, with your dry hair becoming oilier, more abundant or less abundant as the pregnancy continues. However, by a year post-delivery, you should have your original pre-gestation hair, says the Ask Dr. Sears site.
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