A Short Guide to Hair Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most significant moments in a woman's life, and the minute you receive the good news right through to the child's actual birth can be absolutely magical for many women. Furthermore, pregnancy is even more significant due to the various effects it can have on the body, some that you might not even expect. Take hair health, for instance. Although everyone experiences different symptoms, many women notice changes to the quality of their hair, such as thick, luscious locks during pregnancy and thinner hair after they have given birth. Here is a short guide to hair health during and after pregnancy.

The Link Between Pregnancy and Hair Loss

The entire pregnancy process can put major stress on a woman's body. Hormone levels become unsteady, which then causes the body to change in a variety of ways. In particular, this hormone imbalance can have a tremendous effect on the hair life cycle. The hair life cycle includes the growing phase (anagen), the end of the active growth (catagen), and the resting phase, where the hair stops growing before eventually falling out (Telogen). It is natural to lose hair every day as part of the natural hair life cycle, but pregnancy can throw your cycle completely out of whack.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair loss that occurs after stress, shock, or trauma.  Due to the major change in hormones, it is common for women who have had a baby. Some women experience telogen effluvium in the early stages of pregnancy as a result of gestational diabetes or prolonged morning sickness. Although telogen effluvium can occur in the early stages of pregnancy, many people experience it after giving birth.

How Do I Cope With Hair Loss?

Although the amount of hair shedding can be alarming, telogen effluvium is a completely normal process, and hair will begin to grow again as your life cycle of hair continues. However, if you are worried about the rate of hair loss, you can speak to a professional about hair restoration solutions. The Harley Street Hair Clinic is made up of specialist doctors who can help you with hair loss problems. For more information about their treatments, visit hshairclinic.co.uk.

Hair Quality During Pregnancy

Once you become pregnant, you tend to produce more oestrogen. This hormone helps with the development and growth of the fetus. In addition, oestrogen affects blood circulation, which helps hair grow stronger and thicker. This hormone also slows down the cycle so that you stay in the catagen phase for longer than normal. At this point, you tend to shed less hair than normal, and this results in the appearance of more hair.

Post Pregnancy Hair Loss

The birthing process is a huge shock to the system, and as hormones begin to resume to normal, your system kickstarts the natural hair cycle into gear. This means that your cycle moves into the telogen phase, which can make you feel as though you are losing more hair than usual. However, the hair you lose is just the accumulation of hair you retained during pregnancy, and it should grow back eventually.