Hairy transition during pregnancy?

When Veronica was pregnant with first and second baby, she noticed that her hair was full and healthy. She had to stop all the hair treatment she was applying to her hair before pregnancy. She really enjoyed her hair during those nine months period of pregnancy. She thought she was the only one enjoying this until she went to antenatal clinic and overheard her fellow pregnant women discussing about the miracle on their hair. She realized that so many pregnant mums she had contact with were also thanking God that their hair were bouncing during the time they were pregnant. Yes, if you are pregnant and your hair is bouncing just as Veronica’’s own did when she was pregnant, know it that it is common for your hair to get thicker when you’’re pregnant.

Reason is that during pregnancy, Except for some dryness (which a little deep conditioning takes care of) you may have thought, wow, pregnancy has finally given my hair some life! But then once you have your baby — poof ! You’’re alarmed, even shocked, to find that your hair seems to be falling out. But the fact is that now that you are heavy with a child; your hair feels fuller. But you’’re not actually growing more hair (and the strands themselves aren’’t any thicker) –– you’’re just losing it more slowly than you usually do. Normally, 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage.

After the resting period, this hair naturally falls out (often while you’’re brushing or shampooing your hair) and is replaced by new growth. The average woman sheds about 100 hairs a day. But have you paused to ask why most women have good full and healthy hair during pregnancy? Medics have confirmed that during pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase, resulting in less shedding of hair and thicker tresses. Some women also notice that their hair becomes shinier during pregnancy or that it changes in texture (curly hair might become straighter, for example). After giving birth, the growth/rest cycle goes back to its previous pattern, so you may notice more hair falling out. Not all pregnant women notice dramatic changes in their hair before and after giving birth, though. Among those who do, the changes tend to be more obvious in women with longer hair.

Is it normal to have more facial or body hair?

Unfortunately, your facial and body hair may grow faster when you’’re pregnant, possibly because of an increase in hormones called androgens. To get rid of stray hairs, you can safely tweeze, wax, or shave. Avoid chemicals such as bleaches or depilatories, which could be absorbed into the bloodstream. Permanent hair-removal techniques, such as laser and electrolysis, are thought to be safe, but the hormones that cause excess pigmentation during pregnancy (resulting in chloasma or the mask of pregnancy) can also cause darkening of the skin after these cosmetic procedures, says Nanette Silverberg, director of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at St. Luke’’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers in New York City. Besides, while they’’re considered safe, laser and electrolysis can be painful, and you may already have plenty of discomfort during pregnancy. In any case, most of this unwanted hair should be gone three to six months after you deliver your baby.

Is it common for your nails to grow faster?

Yes, although you might not notice the difference. Some pregnant women also develop harder nails, but others find that their nails are softer or more brittle. These changes are temporary, and your nails should return to normal sometime after you give birth. If you get all the nutrients your body needs, your fingernails should be in good shape three to six months after your baby arrives. (Your toenails could take nine months to a year.) In the meantime, you can protect your fingernails by wearing rubber gloves when you’’re doing the dishes or cleaning, and by using moisturizers on your hands, especially on the skin that surrounds the nail and on the nails, particularly if they’’re brittle.

Here’’s how to keep your hair looking good during this hairy transition.

1. Get a new cut. First and foremost, pay a visit to a stylist for professional advice. It may be time to get a different hairstyle that will incorporate those fine hairs in the front. If you previously had long hair, or a layered cut with pieces that came down to the chin in the front, you may need to shorten that hair into long bangs that frame the face. It’’s a good idea to go shorter in the front. Layering your hair all over will also give you more fullness.