Page 25 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

Bump&Birth

uring pregnancy you expect during pregnancy. ‘Morning sickness can
to look and feel different Colour contribute to shedding,’ explains Anabel.
after all, there’s a whole lot crisis? ‘Your hair needs nutrients to grow, but the
of impressive stuff going on essentials go to your baby first. Gestational
inside you to help grow a Deciding whether diabetes, coming off the contraceptive pill, and
Dbaby! But changes to your to colour your hair iron deficiency can also encourage shedding.
hair can be a lot more unpredictable you when pregnant is a Stress plays a part, too, especially when the
may be blessed with the most voluminous, personal choice. shedding happens during the first trimester,
shiny hair you’ve ever had, or experience Your scalp can be or very soon into the second. The loss is a
oiliness or a change in texture all of which more sensitive, reflection of what happened three months
so an adverse
are completely normal. ‘Pregnancy hair varies reaction could earlier – tying into the hair cycle – so if you
from woman to woman,’ says trichologist happen even if had a tough time getting pregnant or in the
Anabel Kingsley. ‘Some pregnant ladies you’ve had early days, your hair can react.’
experience lots of changes to their hair, while treatments for All these factors, and more, can contribute
others don’t notice anything at all. Hair can years – do a patch to hair loss once you have your baby. ‘Post-
even react differently in different pregnancies. test first. partum hair loss is reported to affect 50 per
Just like pregnancy skin, sometimes it improves, Whatever you cent of women,’ says Anabel. ‘However,
sometimes it doesn’t. Rest assured, though, decide, once experts believe the figure is likely to be much
your hair will be back to your hair possibly you’ve had your higher, given what women go through to get
with added perks around a year after having baby a trip to the their babies safely into the world. Then you
your baby.’ So, stay positive and remember: salon can help need to consider the sudden dip of oestrogen,
there are ways of handling the changes so you your hair’s which happens after birth and takes effect on
can experience lots more good hair days! appearance. ‘Visit your hair around three months afterwards –
a good colourist or later if you’re breastfeeding.’ It kick-starts
who won’t
THE THICK OF IT over-process your your hair cycle into a more typical time frame,
‘The most common hair change reported by post-partum hair,’ so the shedding begins and it’s time to lose
pregnant ladies is fuller locks,’ says Anabel. advises Anabel. the hairs you’ve been building up over the
‘But you’re not magically growing more hair ‘Also work to previous nine months.
this thickness happens because you’re losing reduce the It’s frustrating, but it isn’t forever. ‘About
less hairs daily than you would normally. The contrast between six months on, the shedding will go back to a
average person usually loses around 100 hairs your scalp and hair typical hair growth and loss cycle,’ reassures
a day as part of the natural hair cycle. But colours in order to Anabel. ‘Once your baby is here, or after you
when you’re pregnant, increased oestrogen make hair appear finish breastfeeding, it’s time to support new
fuller when that
levels, which soar during the first trimester hairs as the increased shedding goes on.’ This
and continue into the other two, cause your shedding starts.’ means eating the right foods packed with iron
hair to sit in the growth phase of the hair – beetroot, spinach and steak are great – and
cycle for longer, so hair shedding is delayed. keeping to regular meals as much as possible.
This means you only lose around 20 hairs a Managing this stress, with the help of family
day.’ It’s this strand build-up that gives you and friends, will allow your hair to grow back
the appearance of thicker hair. stronger than ever just like you.
‘Some women are convinced their hair is And while you’re experiencing shedding,
growing longer, too,’ says Anabel. ‘But strands you can make your hair feel thicker all over.
can only grow half an inch a month. So, You gotta love a mum bun – try plaiting
this is just a perceived concept thanks your hair before you swirl it up into
to the thickness.’ This thickness the bun, pin it in place and then
makes any hair style look Little pull at the sides of the plait to
amazing, but you might need to add volume. Or curl your hair
take smaller sections when fluffers in chunky sections – thinner
curling or straightening to During the fourth trimester, as all those hair bends so much quicker
get good results. And, when old hairs start shedding on mass, new hairs to add width. It’s also
pinning your hair up, must grow. Which means baby hairs are pretty worth using Lee Stafford
double up and use grips much inevitable. ‘It’s actually when your hair Hair Growth Scalp
lapped over each other starts to grow back that you notice how much Scrub (£8.99, boots.
across the grooves at each you’ve lost,’ says Anabel. ‘You do lose hairs from com) once or twice a
end, for added support. your crown, but it’s most noticeable around your week, to help things along.
temples and above your ears, as you see these
THINLY VEILED areas daily. Ride these wispy bits out – your SHINY HAPPY HAIR
At the other end of the baby is the reason why they are there, Another hair wild card is
strand-scale, you may it’s out of your control, and every how shiny your hair will
experience hair loss known as baby hair is one hair closer to go during pregnancy. ‘Your
shedding. While this is most likely getting your former scalp produces less oils when
to occur post-baby, it can also strike locks back.’ you’re pregnant, which means

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