Hair Loss and Pregnancy

Hair loss associated with pregnancy is actually normal and it may occur during and after pregnancy. However, hair loss occurs more commonly after delivery or during the postpartum period. It affects somewhere between 40 to 50% of women. The good news is that like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.

Another possible cause of hair loss associated with pregnancy is due to oral contraceptives. Discontinuing these contraceptives may cause hair loss because of hormonal reasons.

Hair loss associated with pregnancy is quite natural. It may range from loss of a few strands a day to something as severe as to cause bald spots. Hair loss also varies from pregnancy to pregnancy, even with one woman. Hair loss during pregnancy may not be noticeable in one woman but may be very obvious in another woman.

Why is this so? Normally, about 90 percent of hair on the head is growing and the rest is in a resting stage. After this resting period, hair falls out at a rate of around 100 strands a day. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place.

During pregnancy, there is an increased level of oestrogen. Oestrogen is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. During pregnancy, there is an intricate interaction of oestrogen, progesterone and other hormones. To put it simply, oestrogen regulates progesterone, and this helps maintain pregnancy and allows for foetal maturation. Without it, a foetus’s lungs, liver and other organs and tissues cannot mature.

Oestrogen causes hair to remain in the growing phase and stimulates the growth of hair. Increased levels of oestrogen helps hair grow faster and stay on the head longer, resulting in thicker hair. Because of elevated oestrogen, there are fewer hairs in the resting stage and fewer falling out each day, so women may notice that during pregnancy, they have thicker hair.

After giving birth, this oestrogen level plummets and a lot more hair follicles enter the resting stage. Soon, more hair sheds. Fortunately, since the hair loss during and after pregnancy is usually related to hormone imbalance, the hair loss is only temporary. This condition is not serious enough to cause permanent hair loss. The excessive shedding will taper off and the hair goes will go back to its pre-pregnancy thickness at around six to 12 months postpartum.

There is no real treatment for pregnancy-related hair loss because it is hormonal and temporary, but certainly some products can work at kerbing hair loss.

• To help keep the hair looking good during this period, it is a good idea to shorten the hair. Hair loss is more obvious in women with longer hair. Layering the hair all over will also make the hair look fuller. Use products that give the illusion of fullness.
• Colouring the hair is also another way to give it body. Highlights can act as a camouflage.
• Also, a side part can disguise thinning hair at the temples.
• Straight hairstyles make thinning hair more noticeable. It may be a good idea to use rollers or a curling iron or leave the natural curls of the hair. If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, try to use the cool setting. Avoid pigtails, braids and tight hair rollers that can pull and stress the hair.
• Wearing headbands, stylish hats, or scarves are ways to disguise hair loss.
• Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, taking daily vitamins and minerals plays a huge role in keeping the hair healthy.
• Use shampoos and conditioners that are mild and gently clean the hair without harsh chemicals. Products rich in biotin and sulfur can significantly facilitate faster hair growth.
  

In terms of hair loss, the Nisim Biofactors range -- deep cleansing shampoo, conditioner, and extract – is specifically formulated to maintain a healthy and nutrient-rich environment for vigorous hair growth. Unlike most hair loss treatment products, Nisim is non-pharmaceutical; it contains safe natural herbal-based active ingredients which really work to produce real results. Nisim products do not contain harsh chemical ingredients and are perfectly safe to use. Be weary of using pharmaceutical ranges especially when breast feeding. Pharmaceutical ranges will come with harsh warnings (sometimes in very small print) which indicate possible harmful side effects.

Nisim's products are made with natural, herbal-based ingredients developed after over 20 years of research on the study of hair growth. Products have been clinically proven to control excessive hair loss and regrow hair. This unique blend of herbal extracts (Glycine Soja, Panax Ginseng, Castanea Sativa, Arnica Montana, Hedera Helix, Geranium Maculatum) enhances and maximises healthy hair growth and conditioning of skin. Furthermore, it contains panthenol, biotin and sulfur-containing amino acids which are essential in vigorous hair growth.  Use the Nisim shampoo as your first step in controlling excessive hair loss. The shampoos have a pleasant smell and are perfect even for daily use. It is recommended to use a conditioner after shampooing to ensure the hair's natural PH level is restored after shampooing. The Nisim range comes in 2 formulas - one for Normal/ Dry hair and one for Normal / Oily hair. Conditioners are also available in the same formulations.