How to prevent hair loss during pregnancy
While being a mom-to-be excites you, the terrific changes during pregnancy make you worried. Is this your situation? Then, you’re at the right place.
Yes, this article elaborates on the chances your body undergoes during this period and how it causes hair fall.
Keep exploring the following sections to learn about the practical tips and strategies that help to prevent hair loss during gestation.
Effective Ways to Prevent Hair Loss
Prioritizing self-care practices is crucial for preventing hair loss during pregnancy. Here are some simple and implementable ways to help prevent hair loss during gestation.
Maintaining a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is key to maintaining good health for you and your fetus. Adding these nutrients to your diet provides sufficient strength to your body and can prevent hair loss.
Key Nutrients for Hair Health
Iron, folic acid, protein, vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, zinc, omega 3, biotin, iodine, and selenium are key nutrients that promote hair growth.
Eggs are rich in protein and biotin; eating fully cooked eggs supports the fetus and mother’s health. Pregnant moms can also eat beans, soybeans, lean meat, chia seeds, nuts, avocados, sweet potatoes, fatty fish, spinach, and berries to promote hair growth and better baby development.
Hydration and Its Importance
Obviously, hydration is the most important thing to witness better health and a baby’s growth. Drinking adequate water is one solution to almost every problem.
Consuming 8 to 12 cups of water during pregnancy helps for better digestion and excretion. It also aids in reducing the risks of scalp issues like dryness, dandruff, itchiness, and split ends. So, drink plenty of water and take sufficient amounts of fluids.
Gentle Hair Care Practices
Avoiding Harsh Chemicals and Treatments
Other than foods, some gentle hair care practices should be practiced to reduce hair fall. Stay away from harsh chemicals that severely impact your scalp and hair follicles.
Some dangerous chemicals are sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, scented oils, and harmful dyes. Try to stay away from them, particularly during your gestation.
Proper Hair Washing Techniques
Ensure you avoid frequent hair washing, which can increase the risk of over-dryness, thinning, and frizziness. Wash your hair once or twice a week and use doctor-preferred shampoo to reduce hair loss.
In addition, avoid heating, dying, and extra styling your hair, which can encourage hair fall and damage.
Managing Stress for Better Hair Health
Relaxation Techniques and proper sleep pattern
Does stress affect hair growth? Yeah, there is a chance, especially during pregnancy, women might have severe mood swings due to hormonal changes. As a result, they can be stressed, anxious, and depressed.
They can follow relaxation techniques and a proper sleep cycle to overcome stress and promote hair growth. Get a scalp massage, yoga, meditation, lukewarm water baths, breathing exercises, and creative activities to relieve stress.
Home Remedies for Hair Loss Prevention
Natural Oils and Herbal Treatments
Pregnant ladies can try natural home remedies and herbs to treat hair fall or loss. Some popular natural oils to stimulate hair growth are coconut and almond oil.
You may think it is an ordinary option, but this is the safest choice to deal with hair loss during pregnancy.
Consulting with a Healthcare Professional
Yes, consulting a healthcare provider is a better idea when you can’t see any results even after trying these effective ways for hair fall.
Dermatologists offer a proper diagnosis and personalized plan to cope with hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss During Pregnancy
Understanding the reasons for hair loss is essential to getting apt treatments and effective hair care tips.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal shifts are common during gestation, which can interrupt or stop the hair growth cycle. In medical terms, excessive hair fall is addressed as Telogen Effluvium and is reversible during or after postpartum.
Nutritional Deficiencies
During pregnancy, your body demands more nutrients than the usual period. So, insufficient nutrients result in weak hair follicles and thinning of hair.
Health Conditions
Other than nutrition deficiency, underlying health conditions can also be the reason for hair loss during gestation. Health issues like,
- Thyroid problems
- Iron deficiency (anemia)
- Genetical defects
- PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian syndrome
- Reproductive causes like abortions, miscarriages, and stillbirth can also be a reason for excessive hair fall.
Common Myths About Hair Loss During Pregnancy
Myth: Hair fall during pregnancy is permanent.
Fact: Pregnancy hair changes aren’t permanent, but you can expect hair growth only after or during your postpartum.
The bottom line
No doubt that pregnancy is a beautiful journey in every woman’s life. But the thing is, pregnant moms need to understand that gestation often comes with challenges due to hormonal shifts.
In case of hair loss, a balanced diet, hydration, stress management, gentle hair care practices, and other treatments will help you prevent it. In addition, this is not a permanent condition; the hair starts growing during or after postpartum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, around 40 to 50% of women experience hair loss during the gestation. And new moms can expect more hair fall about four months after delivery.
Dealing with hair loss during gestation can be daunting, but you can follow these tips to control excessive hair loss.
- Avoid combing the wet hair, and don’t use chemical products.
- Focus on diet, including food items that boost hair growth, like iron and keratin-rich, can improve hair growth.
- Prefer a wide-toothed comb and give a mild scalp massage.
- Don’t use harsh chemicals; ask for suggestions to change the conditioner.
There is no evidence that prenatal vitamins help prevent hair loss. Prenatal supplements contain the required vitamins for pregnancy that support the baby’s growth and development. So, prenatal vitamins are not associated with hair loss or growth.
Several home remedies, including gentle massages and applying a hair mask, are available to prevent hair loss. However, these home remedies may or may not control hair loss; you can’t expect them to give cent per cent results.
You can witness improved hair loss for the first four months after delivery. Many women regain their hair growth after a year of delivery, within their child’s first birthday.
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