Pregnancy is a beautiful period for a mother. But during this phase, a lot of changes take place in awoman’s body. Some changes work towards improving the existing health while a few others result in reducedwell-being. This phase requires gentle care, love, and understanding for a pregnant mother.For most,hair quality improvesduring the pregnancy phase. Hairsbecome lustrous and the volume increases. But for others,losing hair during pregnancy is becomes a matter of great concern. Today, we are focussing particularly on hair loss during pregnancy. Our article aims to provide to you an in-depth understanding of the causes, treatment, and home remedies of hair fallin pregnancy. Keep on reading ahead to know all the information and details.
Causes of Hair Loss During Pregnancy
According to experts, during pregnancy, the levels ofEstrogen hormone are on a rise. This slows down the natural falling of hair and hence, most mothers experience better hair growth. But for others, this does not stand true, and instead, they experience hair loss. Let's discuss the exact causes of hair loss during pregnancy.
1. Hormonal Changes or Imbalance
The rapid change in the body’s hormone levels during pregnancy causes immense stress. These changes lead to hair loss which happens in the form of thinning or shedding but is not permanent.
2. Iron Deficiency
Generally, the iron levels drop during pregnancy which results in low haemoglobin. This adversely impacts the hair and shedding takes place.
3. Medical Issues
If the pregnant mother already suffers from a health problem (such as PCOD or the Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease) before pregnancy or gets one during pregnancy, then these hamper the hair quality and the outcome is hair loss. Even, the discontinuation of birth control pills or other birth control methods has also been found to be associated more with hair fall.
4. Nausea
Excessive vomiting during the first trimester empties the body of important nutrients. It is essential to supplement the body with a nutrient-rich diet else hair loss begins.
5. Improper Diet
Consuming a balanced and nutritious diet consisting of proteins, vitamins, iron, and minerals is essential during pregnancy. In case it is missed out, then the body reacts and hair thinning and shedding can be a big symptom.
6. Family History
The chances of losing hair during pregnancy increase manifold if the mother of the pregnant woman also suffered from a similar hair loss during her pregnancy. So, genetics are to be held responsible in such cases. This phenomenon is due to the genetic makeup of the body.
7. Thyroid
Pregnant mothers may suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism during pregnancy and amongst the most visible signs apart from lethargy and cramps is hair loss.
8. Hair Treatment and Products
It is advisable to avoid any harsh hair treatments like ironing, coloring, or blow-drying and using poor quality hair products for shampoo, oils, serums, and conditioners during pregnancy. The hair is already sensitive during this phase and can easily break causing excessive hair loss.
9. Rough Hair Styling
Following poor hairstyling techniques like brushing the hair vigorously, not keeping the length manageable, styling the hair tightly further enhance the hair shedding and thinning.
10. Scalp Conditions
Women who suffer from skin conditions and allergies on the scalp are more likely to experience excessive hair fall and thinning of hair.
Pregnancy is a delicate period and overall care needs to be taken by a pregnant mother during all the nine months.
Home Remedies for Hair Loss During Pregnancy
Home remedies are not only convenient to follow in the long run but also an effective means to prevent and reduce losing hair during pregnancy. Some helpful home remedies that can be adopted are:
1. Oiling
Massage the hair and scalp regularly at least once a week with oils like coconut, olive, almond, rosemary, lavender, jojoba, castor, or mustard. These will provide ample nourishment and strengthen the hair follicles and roots.
2. Hair Packs and Masks
Ingredients in the kitchen are a great source of nurturing for the hair. Home-made packs consisting of tomato, curd, lemon, eggs, fenugreek seeds, banana, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera gel, onion juice, or honey mixed with different oils like coconut and olive have tremendous benefits.
3. Ayurvedic Treatments
Natural ingredients like Bhringraj, Shikakai, Reetha, Neem, and Amla have therapeutic properties and nourish the hair and scalp deeply. Since these are ayurvedic, so they do not have any side effects too.
These home remedies are safe, effective, and efficient for controlling and reducing hair fall in pregnancy. These will ensure that once again the hair is healthy, thick, and lustrous.
The Top 3 DIY Hair Masks for Hair Loss
Nothing can beat the effect of a DIY hair mask. Below are some best ones that are guaranteed to give you that extra hair health and shine. So, grab your kitchen ingredients and start right away!
1. The Coconut Oil & Lemon Mask
Lemon helps relieve the itchy scalp and dandruff. These conditions are one of the primary sources of hair fall. Coconut oil is a magic ingredient that has all the essential fatty acids to make the hair lustrous, voluminous, and healthy.
What do you need?
- Coconut oil, just to cover up your hair well (according to your hair length)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Heat the coconut oil, mix in the lemon juice and honey. Apply generously over your hair, from roots to length. Let it rest for an hour and shampoo.
2. The Banana Mask
Bananas add volume to the hair and improve upon the hair thinning. They are a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, natural oils, and potassium.
What do you need?
- 1-2 ripe medium-sized bananas
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1-2 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Mix up all the ingredients and apply all over your scalp and hair. Wait for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with your favorite shampoo.
3. The Curry Leaves Mask
Curry leaves are known to work wonders for your hair and its growth. They are loaded with antioxidants and proteins. These properties neutralize the free hair radicals and keep the hair healthy and strong.
What do you need?
- 10-12 curry leaves
- 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
Heat the coconut oil on a low flame. Add the curry leaves and let them crackle. Once the mixture gets to room temperature, blend it well. Apply on the scalp and hair. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with a shampoo.
The Top 10 Tips to Control Hair Loss during Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on the body and at times the mother ends up getting blood pressure, gestational diabetes, thyroid, hormonal imbalances, or deficiencies. But with adequate care and control, the hair fall in pregnancy can be treated and reduced as follows:
- Eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet comprising of fresh and seasonable fruits, vegetables, salads, eggs, paneer, lentils, and whole grains.
- Use good quality, natural, and organic hair care products that improve the hair and scalp texture.
- It is preferable to keep the hair short and get a trim periodically so that managing the hair becomes easy.
- If there is any illness or medical issue, then these should be properly dealt with by taking prescribed medicines or consulting an expert.
- Maintain hygiene by washing and conditioning the hair on a timely basis.
- Exercising, relaxation, and a good night's sleep prevent further shedding and thinning.
- Hairstyling should be carefully done, hair should be loosely tied, harsh chemicals should be avoided, brush lightly, and never comb when the hair is wet.
- Refrain from using complex hair products and treatments like bleaching, coloring, straightening,or blow-drying at least during pregnancy.
- Yoga postures and meditation calm the mind and body and rejuvenate the spirit. It relaxes and keeps the stress at bay. Add them to your routine!
- Drink lots of water and fresh juices to keep the body hydrated.
Following a disciplined and healthy lifestyle is paramount for keeping a check on hair loss. Waking up, sleeping, and eating on time surely helps to maintain hair quality.
Is the Hair Loss During Pregnancy Permanent?
The hair loss during pregnancy due to hair thinning or shedding is not permanent.Hair grows back naturally but the time of growth varies from mother to mother and depends upon several factors including the level of care, nutrient-rich diet, good sleep pattern, and relaxed mind.
Hair Loss Post-Delivery
Hair loss post-delivery is a common phenomenon amongst new mothers because the already high levels of Estrogen hormone during pregnancy start to decline post-delivery. The visible signs of excessive hair shedding appear around the fourth month. But, with a balanced diet and proper exercise under guidance, the shedding decreases after a few months and then stops.
A mother takes full care during pregnancy to ensure that her growing baby in the womb is healthy. Similarly, she should take complete charge to ensure that even she remains healthy, happy, and timely indulges in self-care during pregnancy. We hope our article helps you with your problem in case you are suffering from hair fall during pregnancy. We have tried to address the causes, treatment, tips, and home remedies in our best possible way. Remember, only a happy mother will give birth to a happy baby!
About The Author
NewMumLife Team
NewMumLife is a parenting website for moms, dads and child care. We aim to offer a place to connect parents and parents-to-be for all types of parenting advice and suggestions to the questions they normally face. Our content is for the parents and by the parents where they share their personal experiences to benefit our parenting community.