Hair Changes during Pregnancy

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Your hair will be thicker during pregnancy, enjoy it while it lasts. Most women lose their lush locks in the weeks and months after their baby is born.

1 The Normal Hair Cycle
2 Hair Changes during Pregnancy
3 After delivery
4 More Information

[edit] The Normal Hair Cycle

When you are not pregnant, your hair has a regular cycle. Each hair will:

Spend anywhere from two to six years growing about 1/2 inch a month
Then it will rest for 2-3 months, before falling out when you brush or wash your hair

At any given time, 90% of your hair is in the growing phase, 10% resting.

[edit] Hair Changes during Pregnancy

Women who are pregnant have hairs that stay in the resting phase longer. The portion of your hairs that are resting may reach 60%. This results in a thicker head of hair, because less of it falls out each day. Pregnancy hormones may cause you to develop hair in places that you never had hair before- on your breasts, stomach and back, even if it is just a hair or two. You may find that the hair on other areas of your body seems thicker such as the hair on your arms, legs and upper lip. This pattern of hair growth is normal, and should go back to normal within 6 months of your delivery. If the additional hair growth is troublesome to you, it is safe to tweeze, wax, or shave during pregnancy. Do not use any bleaches or depilatories until after you deliver.

After you deliver, the resting phase of the hair shortens. Many more hairs will fallout during the changeover and your hair will seem to be thinner than usual, as new hair begins to grow and the normal hair cycle resumes.

[edit] After delivery

To encourage a thicker head of hair after you deliver:

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Use a wide tooth comb when your hair is wet. Hair is easily damaged when wet.
Avoid using heat on your hair. Use the coolest setting on your hair dryer and skip the curling iron.
Do not stress your hair by putting it up in pigtails, cornrows, tight braids, or rollers.