WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY HAIR & NAILS?
When you’re pregnant, your finger-and toenails are likely to become stronger than they’ve been before, and you may find that they grow very fast! This is caused by pregnancy hormones and increased circulation. You may find the opposite, however, and that your fingernails may split and break more easily.
NAIL- AND HAIRCARE TIPS
• Keep fingernails short and wear rubber gloves when washing up and for any other household work! Apply hand lotion on a regular basis and nail strengthener weekly to your nails.
• While you’re pregnant your hair may be in peak condition, thanks perhaps to the pregnancy hormones. But not all women experience this crowning glory sensation.
• If your hair becomes fragile in pregnancy, you may want to avoid perms and colourings for a while. Speak to your hairdresser if you’re concerned about further damage to fragile hair. Use a gentle brush, such as one made of boar’s hair bristles, or a plastic one normally used for blow-dry styling. Concentrate on a good cut, and use gentle shampoos and rich conditioners to keep your hair in the best condition possible.
• Contrary to myth, pregnancy doesn’t affect the results you get from having a perm. But because haircare products are among the many that have not been tested sufficiently to determine whether they’re safe to use during pregnancy, you may want to hold off on a perm or dye job, at least until after the first trimester.
• You may find that your face shape changes during pregnancy. So, you may want to try a new style, especially if fluid retention causes your face to seem rounder.
• Your hair is also affected by your diet. Many haircare professionals comment that they see a dramatic improvement in hair during pregnancy, possibly because many moms-to-be take vitamins.
• A real treat is finding a therapist that offers Indian head massages. Not only is this good for your head and hair, it’s amazingly relaxing. A lot of tension is carried in the scalp, and this kind of massage is more beneficial than you may think.
• Telogen effluvium, or postpartum hair loss, affects about 50 percent of women after birth. This occurs as the high levels of pregnancy hormones that stopped you from losing your hair drops to pre-pregnancy levels, and the hair that should have fallen out (naturally) now falls out all in one go! This is an interim condition, and your hair should be back to its normal thickness and texture within 12 months after birth.