How to take care of hair during pregnancy and postpartum: the dermatologist’s advice
To clarify all doubts on the subject, we asked Dr. Marta Brumana, dermatologist at the Humanitas San Pio X hospital, a few questions.
Pregnancy brings with it many more or less evident changes and most of them determined by the hormonal changes characteristic of sweet expectation.
Hair during pregnancy is often one of the priorities of women as many wonder how to manage it and if it is possible to dye it as they did before the positive test.
Dr. Brumana, hair during pregnancy is often more beautiful and healthy, why?
During pregnancy there is an increase in certain hormones including estrogen which have the effect of increasing and promoting the growth phase of the hair. Hair therefore grows but falls out less and therefore appears thicker and healthier.
It’s not like that for everyone. In some cases, in fact, the hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy can cause hair loss which, however, is temporary and usually resolves during the breastfeeding period.
How to understand that a hair loss is normal or indicates a problem?
Not everyone knows that it is normal to lose up to 50 hairs a day. If you think about it, there are quite a few! And it is normal in some seasons such as autumn to lose up to 100.
When you fear that the fall is excessive, it is advisable to consult a doctor to check the health of the hair and scalp during a dermatological and trichological visit.
During this visit the dermatologist performs trichoscopy . It is a test that examines the situation of the scalp and hair and the deeper structures of the skin.
Can hair dye be done? Or are they not recommended during all 9 months?
During pregnancy, a woman has the right to take care of herself and feel beautiful, but it is important to take some precautions.
To date there are no data available that require avoiding hair dye, also because the products of the past that could have been harmful are no longer present. Despite this, given that the first trimester is the moment of embryonic development and therefore the most delicate, it is advisable to avoid tinctures in this phase.
From the second trimester onwards, the color can be done but for a maximum of 3-4 times in all . However, it should always be avoided, regardless of the trimester, if the skin is damaged. In fact, the tint is not normally absorbed by the skin but it is if you have dermatitis or abrasions on the scalp.
The dyes can also cause skin allergies causing redness and flaking.
For those who dye themselves at home, gloves should always be used, the hair should be washed well and in a well-ventilated area. In any case, it is always preferable to rely on hairdressers who have considerable experience and know how to use ad hoc products, perhaps focusing more on the lengths than on the scalp.
Frequent washes, hair dryers, straighteners… can they ruin your hair?
Hair can be washed every day with the foresight to use suitable products. That they are not too aggressive towards the scalp. The choice must be directed towards shampoos suitable for frequent washing, better if purchased in pharmacies.
However, there are no particular indications relating to drying, instead pay attention to hair straighteners which must never be used on wet hair or at too high temperatures.
Can supplements be taken during pregnancy or postpartum for hair health?
During pregnancy, specific supplements for the health of the hair are not recommended because they could be harmful to the baby she is carrying.
However, you can take specific foods, rich in proteins and amino acids that can promote hair growth. It’s about red meat, or alternatively lentils for vegetarian or vegan mothers.
Vitamin C and antioxidants that we find in fruit and vegetables are also important.
Dr. Brumana, what is the type of hair care for a pregnant woman?
When pregnancy is discovered, it is advisable to talk to the hairdresser in order to manage hair care throughout the period.
The hair should be treated with delicate products (shampoo and possibly conditioner) because even if it is true that the hair can appear more beautiful because estrogen stimulates growth, in some cases it is possible to notice a greater fragility of the hair.
The products must be chosen by reading the labels well and in case of doubt it is better to ask the pharmacist for advice.
In the postpartum we often witness the “free fall of hair”. What happen? How to resort to repairs and when is it appropriate to worry?
Hair loss after childbirth is common and is called postpartum telogen effluvium.
If during pregnancy the increase in estrogen prolongs the hair growth phase, after childbirth these hormones return to normal values, determining a synchronization of hair turnover, and therefore an increased fall.
This is a process intended to resolve in approximately 3-6 months ; in the event of a quantitatively significant or persistent fall, it is advisable to carry out a specialist visit to identify the causes and adequate treatments.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.