Pregnancy is the time when a woman’s body goes through a lot of changes physically and at the hormonal level. For instance, the gestation period when the body is invested in nurturing the foetus, all the nutrition is supplemented or rather redirected there. At this time, if a woman does not have a proper diet, and her dietary requirements are not fulfilled, it leads to deficiencies and hormonal fluctuations that directly impact hair growth and reduce hair growth, accompanied by hairfall.
After pregnancy, it takes a lot of time for the body to return to normal; thus, due to heavy hairfall, women experience hair thinning. Physical stress and emotional adjustment to the new life after delivery are huge changes for her to get used to. This disrupts hair growth.
Additionally, the body is breastfeeding, and it needs more nutrition. When essential Vitamins, such as Vitamin B, iron and zinc, are lacking in the diet, it leads to heavy hairfall. Some women, who suffer massive blood loss post-pregnancy, are low in iron, which leads to hairfall.
Thyroid imbalances, too, are one of the major reasons for reduced hair growth.
It is essential to plan a proper diet that would supplement an expecting mother with Omega-3, Vitamins D, C and B12, calcium, iron and protein. When your body receives ample nutrition, you can expect healthy hair. However, I always suggest obtaining supplements through natural sources instead of pill popping until it is suggested by your doctor.
The right time to begin hair treatment or haircare regimen should be at the time of your second trimester. It is relatively safer. It goes for the time when you are getting your hair dye done, but it should be chemical-free, opting for a vegetable-based colour or organic henna.
You can easily indulge in a gentle hair massage to relax yourself, get your hair trimmed, and use natural treatments with precautions are some of the safer options.
However, you should be cautious about certain hair treatments like straightening, keratin and certain products for removing dandruff. These contain harmful ingredients and strong chemicals that, when inhaled, are detrimental to your and the foetus’s health. It is essential first to consult your dermatologist, check the ingredients of your hair products and let your doctor know of any such procedure that you may undertake for your hair care.
Which are the safe products
These days, it is challenging to determine what is safe when searching for specific products. Choose products that are based on natural ingredients that contain plant extracts, botanical blends and essential oils.
For instance, it is safe for pregnant and postpartum women to use herbal shampoos, herb-infused hair oils, conditioners that are free of harsh chemicals and products that are gentle on the scalp and hair.
Hair care during pregnancy requires a robust routine that is supportive of hormonal health and manages your natural hair cycle. Therefore, it becomes essential to have a proper understanding of what needs to be done and what should be avoided.
Let your hair remain natural rather than dying your hair or getting it permed or highlighted. Whatever you put on your scalp gets absorbed into your bloodstream, too.
Avoid any hair treatments that consist of chemicals similar to or exactly like, minoxidil.
If you feel like getting your hair some highlights, then only get the tips of hair done that is a safe option.
Be cautious of using shampoo or conditioner with harsh or harmful chemicals.
Avoid combing your hair when it’s wet, as it is prone to breakage.
A home remedy to strengthen hair follicles and for shine is boiling a handful of curry leaves with coconut oil. Let it cool and use this mix as a hair mask an hour before shampoo.
Mixing sesame oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil for hair growth or rosemary essential oil will help achieve thick hair.
Diet to follow
Healthy hair is the result of a balanced diet that should comprise proteins that can be supplemented through eggs, tofu, pulses and cheese. Iron is essential to provide strength to your hair, so include beetroot, legumes, jaggery, dates and spinach. Vitamin D and calcium are an essential part of hair growth, therefore I suggest including milk, sesame seeds and ragi. Of course, sunlight exposure too is one way of supplementing your body with ample Vitamin D. Include all kinds of nuts and seeds in your diet and remember to supplement your diet with Vitamin C with citrus fruits and Amla.
Solutions for different hair types
Different hair types have different requirements, but a healthy diet is always the key to keeping your hair healthy. However, for different hair types, you can opt for some simple solutions:
- If you have fine hair, then volumising shampoos and conditioners are the best.
- For wavy hair, consider using anti-frizz products and ensure that your hair ends are amply hydrated.
- For thick hair, moisturising shampoos and conditioners work best.
- Curly hair requires deep conditioning and leave-in conditioners.
- Oily hair needs scalp clarifying shampoos to help get rid of buildup but remember to choose lightweight conditioners.
Banner image by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pregnant-woman-combing-her-hair-7156532/
