5 Ways to Keep Your Hair Healthy During Pregnancy

Bouncy and shiny hair is every woman’s salvation. What’s more, pregnancy with a lot of other things is said to affect our hair. Rather a common pregnancy myth is that your hair gets thicker and shinier when you are expecting and you don’t really need to do much to keep your mane bouncy. But like most myths and old wives’ tales, this one too only stands true for a small percentage of the population who may be blessed with great genes or were simply lucky to become pregnant when their systems were at the peak of their health. However, keeping your hair healthy during pregnancy doesn’t need to be a challenge and you can actually get healthier hair even if you can’t use chemical-based products and treatments done during this time.

1. Get proper nutrition

Eating healthy and staying away from junk food is one of the first things your need to include in your routine when you learn that your are pregnant. Not only is this good for the baby, it can also help your hair become fuller and shinier. Include food like dates, figs, almonds, oats, brown rice, whole grains, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cold pressed oils, fresh veggies and fruits, white and lean meats and yogurt into your diet and watch the nutrients work their magic on your hair, skin and health. This is not just for pregnancy though, you can continue this diet even after pregnancy.

2. Stimulate your hair follicles

If you are battling with brittle hair and hair breakage during your pregnancy, you should try to opt for more natural and organic hair treatments like hot oil massages instead of chemical based treatments. Add a few drops of essential oils like ylang ylang, sandalwood, patchouli, neroli and lavender to half a cup of warmed base oil like coconut or olive oil. Massage the mixture into your scalp for 15-20 minutes. Wrap your head in a warm towel and wash with a low-detergent shampoo.

3. Use citrus oil-based shampoos and conditioners

Citrus oil-based shampoos and conditioners, especially one that has grapefruit in it, are known to be excellent for pregnant women. Extracts of the oil help infuse a natural softness and shine to the hair while protecting the scalp from infections. There are a number of options available in the market so you can take your pick.

4. Use cooler settings on blow dryers or air dry hair

When you’re pregnant, avoid heat-based styling completely. If you cannot live without your blow dryer, opt for cooler settings or use no-heat rollers and curlers on towel dried hair and allow them to air dry to get a neat coif. The best part is that you get to use those youtube styling techniques that require no heat!!!!!

5. Stay away from chemical and heat-based hair treatments

Each pregnancy is different and there is no way of knowing whether a treatment will work for every pregnant woman or not. To protect the baby’s health, avoid chemical-based hair treatments. Heat treatments are also a big no-no and you should try to keep your mane as naturally styled as possible. Get a low-maintenance hair cut and explore decorating your hair with accessories rather than depending on styling them with chemicals, rollers, straighteners etc.

But beautiful hair or not mothers are beautiful in their own right, aren’t they?