Higher amounts of estrogen prolong the hair growth period during pregnancy, resulting in less hair loss and thicker tresses. Hair on your face and body may also grow faster due to an increase in androgen hormones. Nails change as well, and some pregnant women get tougher nails, while others develop softer or more brittle nails.
When you're pregnant, you can notice that your hair feels thicker. However, you aren't truly growing more hair (and the strands aren't any thicker) - you are simply shedding it more slowly than usual.
Hair changes during pregnancy: What causes it?
What's going on: Normally, 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing, while the remaining 5 to 15% is resting. This hair naturally falls out after the resting time (typically during brushing or shampooing your hair) and is replaced by new growth. The average woman loses approximately 100 hairs per day.
Some women may note that their hair grows shinier or changes texture during pregnancy (curly hair might become straighter, for example).
Your postpartum locks will most likely be less luscious. The growth/rest cycle returns to its normal rhythm after delivery, so you may see more hair falling out 1 to 5 months following delivery.
However, not all pregnant women notice significant hair changes before and after giving birth. Women with longer hair are likely to have more noticeable changes than those who do.
Hair removal during pregnancy
If you're wondering if having abundant facial and body hair during pregnancy is normal, the answer is yes. You can take a deep breath and relax because you are not alone. When women are pregnant, they often notice unusual and abrupt hair growth on their faces and bodies.
Unfortunately, when you're pregnant, your facial and body hair may grow faster, potentially due to an increase in androgens. While having excess facial hair should not be an issue when one is expecting, thankfully there are ways to remove them for those who want to keep up with their appearance.
You can safely tweeze, wax, or shave to remove stray hairs. Avoid chemicals that can enter the bloodstream, such as bleaches and depilatories.
Permanent hair removal techniques like laser and electrolysis are regarded to be safe, however, the hormones that cause excess pigmentation during pregnancy (leading to chloasma or the pregnancy mask) might also induce skin darkening following these cosmetic operations, especially if you have darker skin.
Furthermore, while laser and electrolysis are considered safe, they can be uncomfortable, and you may already be experiencing enough discomfort during pregnancy.
In any case, the majority of the undesirable hair should fall out three to six months after your kid is born.
Hair removal cream safe for pregnancy
Yes, hair removal products are okay to use, though they may irritate your skin now that you're pregnant.
The chemicals in hair removal creams work on keratin, the structural component of your hair. Your hair will split and separate from your skin as a result of the lotions. Strong scents are utilized to hide the compounds' characteristic odor.
The perfumes and hair-removing agents may cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Because your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, this is more likely to happen.
As a result, you may want to try alternate hair removal treatments including tweezing, waxing, epilating, or shaving. However, you might find them just as unsettling.
If you must use hair removal products while pregnant, follow these precautions:
- Before using the cream, carefully read the manufacturer's directions on the package.
- Do not apply the cream to broken skin or the face.
- Use a product designed specifically for sensitive skin.
- Before using the cream, do a patch test on a tiny area of skin, even if you used it before you were pregnant.
- Make sure the room is well ventilated. The hair-removal lotion contains a strong odor that you can find unpleasant, especially if you're sick.
- Avoid leaving the cream on your skin for longer than required. Time how long the lotion has been on your skin with a clock. Leave it on for the recommended amount of time per the instructions.
READ MORE:
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Is waxing safe during pregnancy?
Waxing is typically considered safe during pregnancy. However, whether you're waxing at home or at a spa or salon, there are some measures to take. Make an appointment with a qualified and skilled aesthetician. Inquire about their employment experience and education. Check that the facility is clean and that the wax or strips are not reused between clients. You could become infected with microorganisms if you do so. Reusing applicators or "twice dipping" them in the wax increases your infection risk.- open cuts
- scar tissue
- rashes
- pimples
- warts
- varicose veins
- rashes
- moles
- areas where acne medications are applied
Is Brazilian waxing during pregnancy safe?
Getting a Brazilian wax while pregnant is typically considered safe. While your skin may be more sensitive, and you should always tell your technician if you're expecting, there's no medical reason to forgo a Brazilian.Can I do laser hair removal during pregnancy?
Despite the fact that laser hair removal is widely regarded as a safe operation, doctors and dermatologists typically advise women to avoid it because no studies have been conducted to show that it is safe for moms and babies. Doctors err on the side of caution in the lack of research.Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.