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Lifestyle
Stephanie Maylor

6 common hair changes in pregnancy and how to manage them, with advice from the experts

Pregnant woman with curly hair to illustrate hair changes in pregnancy.

Pregnancy brings with it many physical adjustments. Bigger boobs, glowing skin and, of course, a few surprising hair changes are some of the things to expect when you’re expecting.

For some, locks will become full, lustrous and impossibly shiny, as if you’ve stepped straight out of a Herbal Essences commercial. For others, it’s a tale of frizz, excessive shedding and greasy roots. Whether you’re searching for remedies to treat hair loss, wondering how to get rid of greasy hair or want to get rid of frizz, our experts discuss the whys and the wherefores of hair changes in pregnancy, with solutions to help reinstate your swish.

“During pregnancy, hormonal changes play a significant role in various bodily functions, including hair growth and appearance,” explains Dr. Chandni Rajani, GP and Aesthetic Doctor. “During pregnancy, oestrogen increases significantly, which can lead to changes in hair texture and growth patterns.”

While we experience a surge in certain hormones, we can also suffer from a lack of nutrients as the goodness gets redirected to baby. “Our hair is the last part of us to receive nutrients and the first to be withheld from,” explains Anabel Kingsley, Brand President and Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “Hair cells are also the second fastest dividing cells our body makes, meaning its energy requirements are very high. As such, hair is incredibly sensitive to any deficiency.”

Hair changes in pregnancy

1. Thicker hair

One of the commonly known hair changes in pregnancy is your hair will look thicker and fuller. Really, it's one of the best bits about being pregnant. “When pregnant, oestrogen levels rise, which extends the anagen (growth phase) of the hair growth cycle,” explains Anabel Kingsley. “Oestrogen is very hair-supportive so we hold on to more hairs than usual and shed much less – perhaps losing only 10-40 strands a day, with the norm being 80-100.” According to Anabel, increased progesterone during pregnancy can also play a part in preventing hair loss leading to thicker-looking, advert-worthy hair.

Expert tip: “Many women say they have the best hair of their lives in their 2nd, 3rd and 4th trimesters,” admits Anabel. Our take? Enjoy it! Prevent all that extra fullness from turning poofy with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner.

2. Thinner hair

“Many people find that their hair can become thick and lustrous during pregnancy, but not everyone has this experience,” explains trichologist, Eva Proudman. “In early pregnancy due to the shift in hormonal levels and an increase in stress to the body to support the newly growing baby you can experience hair shedding.” The condition is telogen effluvium, but according to Eva, it’s not permanent, but rather “a disruption to the hair growing and shedding cycle that will make the hair feel thinner all over, especially to the longer lengths.”

Another factor that can lead to thinner-feeling hair is morning sickness, “and the inability to eat a well-balanced diet in those first few months,” explains Eva. Iron deficiency, which often occurs during pregnancy, is one more contributing factor.

Expert tip: “If you have low iron, this can be diagnosed with a blood test,” explains Eva. “Supplements and dietary advice can manage and correct this.” Dr. Chandni Rajani stresses the importance of nutrition. “For thicker and faster-growing hair, maintaining a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as biotin and omega-3 fatty acids can support hair health and growth.”

3. Frizzy hair

One of the lesser-known hair changes in pregnancy is a change in texture. Pregnancy hormones can alter the texture of your hair so that smooth, silky strands suddenly become nightmarishly frizzy and difficult to manage. This is likely to be exacerbated if your hair is dry, damaged or colour-treated.

Expert tip: When hair is hydrated, it’s less likely to crave moisture from the air and fuzz up so it’s worth investing in a good conditioner. Anabel’s tip? “Use products that will coat the cuticle with a hydrophobic (water-repelling) layer. This not only keeps moisture out, preventing hair from becoming frizzy, but helps to lock moisture into your strands so they remain hydrated.”

4. Greasy hair

One of the more irritating hair changes in pregnancy is greasy roots. Just when you want to put your feet up for a well-deserved rest, many mums-to-be report the need to wash their hair more often. Lank, oily hair is caused by a surge in hormones, triggering our oil glands to produce more sebum. Anabel offers a more practical explanation: “You might not be shampooing as often as you used to, which can make your hair seem greasier than usual.”

Expert tip: “Try not to leave more than 2 days in-between shampoos,” advises Anabel. “To help counteract bothersome roots, apply a hydrating serum to your scalp at night and shampoo your hair in the morning.” If your hair is particularly flat and lank, give roots a zhuzh with dry shampoo to mop up excess oil and inject a little oomph.

5. Dry hair

Some expectant women may notice that their hair has become dry, coarse, and more prone to breakage, which Dr. Rajani attributes to “hormonal fluctuations and increased blood volume.” It may also be a sign of low iron levels.

Expert tip: For dry hair that breaks at the mere sight of a brush, the answer is moisture. “To combat damage and dryness, I advise all my clients to use a weekly pre-shampoo deep-conditioning treatment and bond-building treatment,” instructs Anabel. Always use heat protection before styling to minimise breakage and book in for regular, 6-weekly trims to snip off fragile ends.

6. Change in texture

One of the more bizarre hair changes in pregnancy is a texture turnaround, where poker straight hair suddenly morphes into wild waves, or bouncy curls turn flat and lifeless. Hormonal shifts - whether that’s during pregnancy, puberty or menopause - can affect the follicle itself, altering the texture and pattern of your strands.

Expert tip: It can take a while for hair to return to its natural state (some women report a permanent change) so learn to manage your newfound texture, whatever that may be. If you miss your pre-pregnancy hair, use heated tools to style it curly or straight.

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