Does your hair fall out when pregnant
Changes to hair during pregnancy
Changes to hair during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content3-minute read
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Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your hair, making it thicker or thinner. Find out more about these potential changes and whether you should be using hair treatments or colour (dye) while pregnant.
Hair can become thicker
Your hair has a natural life cycle. Each individual hair grows, then rests for 2 or 3 months before being pushed out by a new hair growing in that follicle (the tube-shaped sheath that surrounds the hair beneath the skin). In pregnancy, this cycle changes.
Many women experience their hair feeling thicker at around 15 weeks of pregnancy.
This is not because each hair strand itself becomes thicker, but because the hair stays longer in the growing phase of its cycle, which means that less hair falls out than usual. This is due to an increase in the hormone oestrogen.
Hair can become thinner
Some women experience more of their hair falling out during pregnancy. This is due to a decrease in oestrogen, which may happen as a result of the following:
- stopping the oral contraceptive pill
- experiencing an abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth
- a hormonal imbalance during pregnancy
It is also common for women to experience hair loss after pregnancy when their oestrogen returns to normal levels. This causes the additional hair from the growth phase to change to the resting phase, which then falls out more than usual, until around 3-4 months after your child is born.
This hair loss is usually nothing to worry about – your hair growth will return to normal by the time your baby is around 12 months old. If you feel your hair loss is excessive, or your hair growth has not returned to normal by 12 months, speak to your doctor.
Should I dye my hair during pregnancy?
Using hair colour, or ‘dye’, is not thought to cause harm to your developing baby because your hair doesn’t absorb enough harmful chemicals to affect you or your baby.
The amount of toxic chemicals in hair dye is not high.
However, as there is not a lot of research into the use of hair dye and pregnancy, you may prefer to delay colouring your hair until after the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy) is complete.
Other things you can do to minimise your exposure to hair-colour chemicals:
- wear gloves if you dye your hair yourself
- ensure you don’t leave the hair dye in for longer than necessary before rinsing
- colour your hair in a room that is well ventilated
- rinse your scalp well afterwards
- follow the directions on the packet of hair dye
- don’t mix different hair colour products
- do an allergy (patch) test before you dye your hair
Be cautious if using other chemical treatments on your hair. For example, some hair straightening treatments contain the chemical formaldehyde. While there’s no evidence that it can harm unborn babies, it is a known carcinogen and should probably be avoided.
If you’re unsure, speak to your doctor about whether your hair treatment is safe for use during pregnancy.
Where to seek more information
- Call Pregnancy Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak with a maternal child health nurse.
Sources:
Queensland Government Health (What to expect during pregnancy), Raising Children Network (15 weeks pregnant), SA Health (Formaldehyde), Australian Breastfeeding Association (Beauty treatments and breastfeeding), Raising Children Network (New mums: your body after birth), Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Common questions in pregnancy)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: May 2020
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Hair Loss During Pregnancy - American Pregnancy Association
Approximately 90% of your hair is growing at any one time, while the other 10% enter a resting phase. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place. Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy.
Hair loss during pregnancy is not uncommon, as it affects somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; but like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.
Does pregnancy cause abnormal hair loss?
Hair loss that is connected to pregnancy usually occurs after delivery. During pregnancy, an increased number of hairs go into the resting phase, which is part of the normal hair loss cycle.
This condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, and it should begin to diminish within 3-4 months after delivery. If you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
After pregnancy
The most common period of hair loss occurs approximately three months after delivery. The rise in hormones during pregnancy keeps you from losing your hair. After delivery, the hormones return to normal levels, which allows the hair to fall out and return to the normal cycle. The normal hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy may fall out all at once.
Up to 60% of your hair that is in the growth state may enter into the telogen resting state. The hair loss usually peaks 3-4 months after delivery as your hair follicles rejuvenate themselves. As noted above, this hair loss is temporary, and hair loss returns to normal within six to twelve months.
Can hair loss be related to other reproductive health issues?
Hair loss can be triggered by anything that involves a change in the estrogen hormone balance in your system.
Hair loss may result from any one or more of the following:
- Discontinuation of birth control pills or any other hormonal type of birth control method
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Abortion
- A hormonal imbalance
The Positive Side of Pregnancy and Your Hair:
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the level of estrogen hormones. Estrogen causes hair to remain in a growing phase and stimulates the growth of your hair.
While you are pregnant, you should expect a full, luxurious head of hair.
Recommendations During Pregnancy and After Delivery:
There are a number of things that you can do to have healthier hair and/or reduce hair loss during pregnancy and after delivery:
- Consult with your health care provider to ensure a proper balance of hormones
- Avoid pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids and tight hair rollers which can pull and stress your hair
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth
- Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica
- Hair is fragile when it is wet, so be gentle; avoid fine tooth combs
- If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, use the cool setting
- Supplement your diet with the following nutrients:
- Vitamin B complex
- Biotin (Possibly safe; orally and appropriately)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E (Likely safe if the amount does not exceed the RDA; possibly safe if it does)
- Zinc (most likely safe when used orally and appropriately; likely unsafe when used orally in high doses)
- Hair Treatment During Pregnancy
- How to Treat Lice Naturally During Pregnancy
Compiled using information from the following sources:
Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W.
, M.D., et al, Ch. 15.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, https://www.aocd.org
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, https://www.naturaldatabase.com/
American Academy of Dermatology, https://www.aad.org
Hair Loss During Pregnancy - Dr. Levent Acar
Hair loss during pregnancy. In most women during pregnancy, the hair becomes more thick and shiny . However, the opposite may also be the case. Severe hair loss during pregnancy is also quite common and is usually nothing to worry about .
Pregnancy entails great changes in a woman's body. Highlighted more than hormones, especially estrogen, the "female hormone".
The usual result of increasing estrogen is that the hair grows fuller and looks more beautiful and healthy overall. This is because fewer hair follicles than usual enter the telogen phase, or resting phase.
Hair loss after pregnancy
After the birth of a child in a young mother the level of estrogen in the body returns to normal , and many extra hairs fall out at the same time. Many women experience hair loss after childbirth, known as postpartum hair loss.
However, the reverse can also happen to hair during pregnancy. Some women experience hair loss. Too many hair follicles go into the resting phase at the same time - this condition is known as telogen effluvium.
Hormones are not always to blame. There may be other factors that lead to hair loss. nine0011
Causes of hair loss during pregnancy
Severe hair loss during pregnancy is rare, but in itself is not a major cause for concern.
Hormones
The hormone progesterone produced by the luteal body is believed to be a factor in increased hair loss. This hormone works alongside estrogen to regulate pregnancy.
This interaction can affect hair growth and quality both positively and negatively. For example, dry hair can become even drier and break more easily .
In addition, under the influence of hormones, hair synchronizes the phases of its growth. Thus, too many hairs enter the resting phase together and therefore fall out at the same time.
Birth control pills
The second factor that can lead to hair loss during early pregnancy is stopping the birth control pill. Women who stop taking birth control pills and then get pregnant relatively quickly often experience hair loss. nine0011
One of the reasons for this is that tablets artificially maintain high levels of estrogen . If pregnancy occurs, then the level of estrogen in the blood is usually not as high as it was when the pills were still taken.
Therefore, hair can fall out, because, as we have already said, this hormone has a positive effect on the growth cycle.
Iron deficiency
Another cause of hair loss during pregnancy can be iron deficiency . During pregnancy, the body needs 60 percent more iron than because the growing baby consumes so much of it. But if these vitamins and minerals are not enough, then the body stops all the functions that need iron, but are not necessary for survival.
This includes hair growth. Other symptoms that may indicate a deficiency of iron in the blood are pale skin, constant fatigue and, under certain circumstances, increased nervousness .
If iron deficiency is suspected, a physician should be consulted immediately. Most often, women experience iron deficiency in the second trimester of pregnancy .
Stress
Another thing that can cause hair loss during pregnancy is stress . Many expectant mothers put themselves under stress during pregnancy, especially if this is their first child.
This may affect hair growth. Prolonged stress can cause diffuse hair loss even in the absence of pregnancy.
Hair care during pregnancy
Finally, daily hair care also affects hair growth. Usually, pregnant women don't need to change their daily hair care routine much, such as which shampoos and conditioners they use.
However, this does not apply to hair coloring. To this day, this topic is hotly debated. Even today, there is no scientific evidence that coloring hair during pregnancy has a harmful effect on the fetus. However, in general, doctors do not advise doing this. nine0011
However, if you do not want to give it up, then at least use natural hair dyes in early pregnancy.
Vitamins for hair loss during pregnancy.
Any remedies for hair loss during pregnancy, including vitamins for hair, are prescribed exclusively by your doctor , who accompanies your pregnancy. Taking any hair loss medication during pregnancy on your own can adversely affect your health and the health of your baby .
Never take drugs, pills, vitamins on the advice of the Internet or on the advice of your surroundings. It is always better to consult a doctor.
What to do if the hair that has fallen out does not grow back?
As a rule, after pregnancy, hair growth returns to normal, and hair that has fallen out grows back .
However, if this does not happen, it may be because the increased hair loss has revealed an already existing type of hair loss, such as female pattern baldness or alopecia (alopecia areata) . It may also have made other underlying hair health issues more apparent. In this case, Hair Transplant in Turkey can be a solution to the problem and restore the former volume of hair. However, no reputable doctor will do a hair transplant without first studying the causes of hair loss.
Dr. Levent Acar and his team at the clinic Cosmedica will be happy to answer any of your questions on this topic.
Get a free, no-obligation consultation today. nine0011
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Hair loss during pregnancy
05.10.2022
During pregnancy your body changes day by day, and not just because of the growing belly. You may also start to suffer from increased hair loss. In this article, we will tell you about the causes of this phenomenon and what you can do about hair loss during and after pregnancy .
Why can hair fall out during and after pregnancy? nine0048
Your child needs a lot of iron for healthy development, which your body transfers through the food you eat. During your pregnancy , your iron requirements increase by 60 percent. If you get too little iron, a deficiency can lead to hair loss.
Other signs of iron deficiency are extreme fatigue and loss of appetite. Thyroid problems can also cause hair loss during pregnancy . Symptoms include muscle cramps, constipation, dry skin, and increased chills.
Your gynecologist will be able to diagnose and treat thyroid disease during your check-ups. The third reason for hair loss during pregnancy is stress. Try to relax as much as possible and don't push yourself.
If hair loss began after the birth of a child, hormones may be to blame . During pregnancy levels of estrogen are elevated, which keeps hair follicles in the growth phase - your body is focused on maintenance. For this reason, in many women during this period, the hair becomes especially beautiful and shiny. nine0011
Immediately after births estrogen levels drop and your hair follicles go into a resting phase. You may find that a lot of hair has accumulated in your comb. You don't have to worry about this because you will only lose the hair that you would have lost anyway within the last nine months if your body hadn't hormonally prevented it. After a few months, the level of hormones should return to normal on its own.
Tips for hair loss after pregnancy
You cannot prevent hormonal hair loss. But you can help your body recover from hormonal chaos. Eat healthy, balanced meals to get all the important vitamins and nutrients. It is also helpful to avoid stress as much as possible and rest after childbirth . Treat your hair gently using mild shampoos, avoiding chemical coloring and hot blow-drying.
During pregnancy the scalp may change, which may make the use of products and hair coloring undesirable. Also, use combs and brushes that gently detangle your hair and don't pull it unnecessarily. You can also let your hair down, as a tight ponytail can stress the roots. You can also treat yourself to a new haircut that suits your new life and hair situation more. nine0011
As you can see, you can do something with hair loss during pregnancy , but not so much with hair loss after childbirth . Don't stress about it, but take care of your body and mind.
