You are going to experience a lot of changes in your body during your pregnancy. There are the widely known ones like weight gain, belly growth, stretch marks and hyperpigmentation on certain body parts. Then, there are the changes that not a lot of people are aware of such as faster nail growth as well as hair thickening or hair loss.
Yes, you read that right! Your pregnancy can also affect your hair. Like most women, your tresses may become thicker and lustrous. This is attributed to the increase in oestrogen which results in less hair shedding.
But this is not the case for all pregnant women as some who experience excessive hair fall. In most cases, the hair loss is harmless and resolves itself on its own. Sometimes, the reason behind it is an underlying condition that may or may not be related to the pregnancy.
It can be alarming to see that you are losing a lot of hair. But do not fret because help is available for this kind of situation.
Pregnancy Hair Loss – See a Qualified Specialist
If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, you have to inform your doctor about it. Only a qualified professional should treat pregnancy alopecia. This is not a problem that you should address on your own using products sold online that claim to cure hair loss.
Many of these products are not clinically tested. Hence, their efficacy is questionable. You need to steer clear of them because they might exacerbate your alopecia instead of cure it. Worse, it can even affect your pregnancy.
A qualified specialist possesses the know-how or skills needed to determine the best and safest course of action for your hair loss. But before this can be done, the reason behind the hair shedding needs to be identified.
Pregnancy Hair Loss Treatment
In most cases, hair loss during pregnancy requires no treatment as the problem goes away on its own over time. For example, in the case of telogen effluvium, the hair shedding stops once the trigger is eliminated. But it is going to take time before you will see a significant improvement in terms of volume.
If your hair loss is due to iron deficiency anaemia or hypothyroidism – two of the most common conditions in pregnant women, your doctor may prescribe medications so that your hormone or nutrient levels go back to normal. Once this happens, the regrowth cycle is restored and you are going to slowly regain the hair that you’ve lost.
Unfortunately, the clinically-proven medications for hair growth in cases like female-pattern baldness are not recommended for pregnant ladies. Some of them are also not safe for nursing moms. So, they may only be prescribed to you after you are done nursing.
What may be recommended is low-level laser treatment (LLLT) which is typically used for postpartum alopecia. In case you didn’t know, hair loss after pregnancy is experienced by a lot of women.
Pregnancy Hair Loss – What Should You Do About It?
As mentioned earlier, the best thing you can do if you are worried about alopecia is to consult your doctor.
You should also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat well and make sure you get enough iron, protein and other essential nutrients.
Control your stress levels. It can be difficult to stay calm and relaxed when you are pregnant, especially if you are having your first child. But you have to do your best to avoid getting too stressed as this can trigger hair loss or exacerbate it if you are already shedding hair.
Take care of your hair. Avoid frequently braiding or tying it in a tight ponytail or bun as this can cause traction alopecia. Furthermore, minimise your use of heat-emitting hair styling tools like hair blowers and straighteners.
It can be scary to shed a lot of hair daily, but in many cases, this is just a temporary condition. Still, you need to immediately inform your doctor or a qualified professional like a trichologist about it for an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.
Are you experiencing pregnancy hair loss? Consult our trusted hair & scalp specialist for pregnancy-safe hair care practices Call us today on +353 (0)1 6793618 and schedule an appointment with our specialist!
