Pregnancy is a transformative period and a beautiful journey to another chapter in a woman’s life. With the body going through a host of hormonal changes, things can sometimes get chaotic and haywire. Apart from the usual changes in the body, a pregnant woman may face breakouts on the skin, experience changes in hair texture, etc.
However, this period may be the best phase for beautiful hair for some women. They may experience thicker, bouncier hair with decreased hair fall. However, on the other end of the spectrum, some women may experience frizzy and dry hair and increased hair fall. The rise in levels of the oestrogen hormone causes these varying experiences.
While caring for your baby in the womb, here are some simple hair care tips to follow during pregnancy to also care for your tresses.
Hair care in pregnancy
You can do several things to ensure your hair’s health during this transformative period, and these are safe and non-chemical methods, so you do not need to worry.
The most incredible way to take care of your hair is by massaging your tresses and scalp on a regular basis. So, this is one hair care tip during pregnancy that you must follow, no matter what!
Massaging your hair and scalp two to three times a week is highly recommended. It not only boosts hair health, but also relaxes you and calms the scalp, helping you sleep better.
If you can use warm oil for hair and scalp massages, that would be even better. It improves blood circulation in the scalp, encouraging hair growth. You can opt for hair oils such as almond, coconut, olive or sesame oil. They will help strengthen the roots of your hair, thereby reducing hair fall.
To take your hair massage a notch higher, add 2-3 drops of any essential oil to 2 tablespoons of the oil you are using. This will boost your hair’s health even more.
Trimming your hair regularly is something you must do anyway. Still, during pregnancy, the texture of the hair gets affected, and that’s why it’s even more important to get your hair trimmed.
Regular trimming will help you get rid of split ends and damaged ends, control the breakage, and prevent thinning of the hair. It can also improve hair health in the long run, so it’s recommended to follow this hair care tip during pregnancy.
To keep your hair clean and pleasant-smelling, shampooing twice a week is a good idea. However, pick a shampoo that’s light on the chemicals and is mild on your scalp. After all, you don’t want to risk any adverse reactions by using harsh shampoos.
Pick a shampoo that addresses your hair concerns and look for one that contains natural ingredients such as aloe vera that are healthy for your hair.
This is one of the most crucial hair care tips to keep in mind during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, stay as far away as possible from chemicals and hair colours. This is not the time to experiment on your hair, as the harmful chemicals present in hair colours might get absorbed by the scalp and circulated through your blood.
This may affect the baby, and studies have shown that hair dyes can increase the risk of certain diseases in the child. Hence, it’s best to steer clear of harsh chemicals and hair dyes during these nine crucial months.
When you’re pregnant, we are sure you might be taking extremely good care to maintain a diet that’s healthy for you as well as the baby. However, sometimes you may forget to take note of the nutrient content in your food.
Hence, this tip for pregnancy is simply a reminder for you to eat a balanced and healthy diet, as it can not only help your baby’s health, but also improve your skin and hair health. If your diet is lacking nutrients, your hair quality will decline.
Don’t forget to include flax seeds, nuts, fish, and eggs for stronger and healthier hair follicles. You can also take hair supplements if needed, but do not do this without consulting your doctor first.
When you tie your hair too tight, you are essentially making your hair weaker and more prone to damage. Tight hairstyles can tug at your hair roots, thus leading to increased hair fall. That’s why it is suggested to avoid tighter hairstyles, especially during pregnancy, because that’s when your hormones are out of balance and thus may add to an increase in hair fall.
Hence, make sure you follow this hair care tip during pregnancy and opt for looser hairstyles such as loose ponytails and buns. Moreover, tight hairstyles can also give you a headache.
Due to pregnancy, that headache may get aggravated, so here’s one more reason to avoid tying your hair into tight ponytails when you’re expecting.
Natural Hair Masks for Hair Care During Pregnancy
Apart from using the above-mentioned hair care tips during pregnancy, you can also use natural hair masks for keeping your tresses healthy, strong and shiny. Here are some DIY masks you can try:
Using methi for hair care during pregnancy is fantastic, because the ingredient is excellent for hair growth. Moreover, it also strengthens the hair, thus decreasing hair fall. Regularly using a methi hair mask also adds a beautiful shine to the hair, and since it’s natural, it is entirely safe to use!
How to use it?
- Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight.
- The next morning, grind the soaked seeds into a smooth paste and apply it to your hair.
- Leave the paste on your hair for an hour, and then wash it off.
Gooseberry, also known as amla, is a powerful hair tonic. It has many hair benefits, such as increasing hair growth, giving hair volume, improving scalp health, preventing fungal infections, treating dandruff and lots more! Because of the sheer number of benefits it provides, using amla for hair care during pregnancy is highly recommended.
How to use it?
- Mix amla powder with shikakai and reetha powder, and add some water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste on the hair and let it stay for 30 minutes. Wash it off thoroughly.
Though bitter in taste, neem leaves are loaded with antioxidants, amino acids and several nutrients that stimulate hair growth and reduce hair fall. Being a medicinal herb, neem leaves also contain antifungal and antibacterial properties, thus keeping infections at bay.
How to use it?
- Boil half a cup of coconut oil along with an equal amount of neem leaves.
- Let it boil for 15 minutes, and then allow the neem-infused oil to cool down.
- Strain the oil and massage your hair with it twice a week. Keep it on for 30 minutes, or if possible, overnight. Wash your hair thoroughly.
Unless you have been advised otherwise by your doctor, it should be safe to use the above-mentioned remedies. However, you can always check with your gynecologist before you go ahead, as they know your condition better and can advise you accordingly.
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Written by Nisha Shah on 18th Oct 2021
Writer, avid reader and a lover of all things creative is the best way to describe Nisha Shah! Equipped with a degree in Journalism and a certification in Digital Marketing, she brings a distinct perspective to her writing. With experience in content covering a range of topics from health to travel and beauty to food, she manages to bring something interesting and yet easy-to-read for her readers. When she's not writing, you can find her curled up with a book and coffee, bingeing on movies and TV shows, experimenting with photography and lots more!