During pregnancy, the hair often looks its best. However after the birth, or after breast-feeding ceases, about 50 percent of mothers experience what appears to be excessive hair loss. This is related to the three stages of hair growth.
During pregnancy and breast-feeding, hormones keep the hair at the growing stage for longer than usual, so it appears thicker and fuller. Some time after the birth - usually about 12 weeks later - this hair enters about resting stage, at the end of which all the hair that has been in the resting phase is shed. What appears to have been excessive hair loss is therefore simply a postponement of a natural occurrence, a condition that is known as post-partum alopecia.
A more significant problem that may occur during pregnancy is caused by a depletion in the protein content of the hair. As a result the hair becomes drier and more brittle. Combat this by frequent use of an intensive conditioning treatment.
Avoid perming during pregnancy because the hair is in an altered state and the result can be unpredictable. However, a new color can give your hair and your spirits a lift.
