Healthy hair during pregnancy
SOME women experience differences in the way their hair grows during pregnancies, others see no change at all.
Those who do, notice their hair becoming curlier or straighter, darker or a shade or two lighter.
One of the major concerns pregnant women have is hair loss during the prenatal stage, yet there may be other reasons for the loss.
Generally, hairfall is caused by changes in the oestrogen balance in the body.
But different conditions among individuals could cause hairfall, from post-partum hairfall to alopecia areata, male-female pattern baldness, psoriasis and dandruff.
Post-partum hairfall
Post-partum alopecia for example, is a condition where hairfall happens and begins immediately after the birth of a child and extends for about six weeks.
After childbirth, a dramatic drop in oestrogen and progesterone in the body could cause post-partum depression, creating more stress.
Hair loss has also been known to worsen during stressful periods, as changing hormones and mood swings can have a negative outcome on hair growth.
In addition, when hormone levels fall, hair resumes its shedding process. During this critical period, deficiencies in vitamin and mineral could also trigger a similar situation.
Consult a doctor for proper diet supplementation with vitamin B complex, Biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, in their safe and correct dosage for pregnant women.
One major cause of hair loss during pregnancy is an underactive thyroid, which if left untreated, can cause the baby longterm problems.
It is advisable to check with a maternity care provider as you may need to have blood tests taken to ensure the thyroid is working normally.
Cutting down on fried food
Women should also limit eating fried food and food that are high in fat and hydrogenated oils, as those fats are linked to increased testosterone levels, leading to elevated DHT levels that are related to hair loss.
Women with hair loss problems during pregnancy can follow a healthy, nutritious diet.
Increase consumption of green leafy vegetables, as well as foods containing antioxidants and flavonoids – these help to maintain strong hair follicles and promote continual hair growth.
They should also consult with their healthcare provider to ensure proper hormone balance.
Massaging their scalps can help stimulate blood circulation, while styling one’s hair can cause pull and create unnecessary traction on the scalp. Overusing chemical products and harsh treatment such as perming, straightening, relaxing, chemical dyeing, using shampoo and conditioner which contains more chemicals.
To prevent hair loss, women should avoid colouring their hair as chemicals involved can lead to excessive hair fall.
Ponytails or tight braids, weaves and using tight hair rollers should also be avoided as those will stress the hair shafts.
Women should also handle wet hair gently and not run it through fine tooth combs as it is fragile. When using blow dryers, choose a cool setting as this is less harsh on the hair follicles.
The root provides all the information for the qualities in a strand of hair – its colour, texture, length, thickness and shine.
These in turn, provide the starting point for haircare products designed to bring out the best of the hair’s natural qualities.
To achieve strong, shiny, healthy hair, root nourishment is essential.
A thorough consultation is needed to provide a treatment suitable for the existing hair disorder.
Neeta’s Herbal will be able to provide an appropriate solution for one’s hair problem when you consult with its hair experts.
■ For free-consultation, call 03-2282 8868 (Bangsar), Damansara Utama (03-7728 6751), Klang (03-3318 1412), Brickfields (03-2276 4868), Ampang (03-4266 1728). Visit www.neetasherbal.com or e-mail info@neetasherbal.com