Pregnancy can change the texture and conditioning of your skin and hair.
It can turn curly hair straight and vice versa. It can also cause dry hair to become drier. It is an unwelcome pregnancy side effect.
Pregnancy is a beautiful phase. Women enjoy the love and the attention they get during this time. But this beautiful phase has its pros and cons.
So, why do women have greasy hair during pregnancy?
Most women come across various skin and hair woes during pregnancy, which may result in oily and greasy hair, which no woman likes.
During pregnancy, some women may experience changes in their hair due to increased levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
These hormones can stimulate the production of more oil, or sebum, on the scalp.
If you’re pregnant and your hair is greasy, there are a few things you can do to fix it.
- First, use shampoo and conditioner made for greasy hair.
- Avoid heavy products that can weigh your hair down and make it look oilier.
- You can also wash your hair more often but don’t use hot water.
- Touching your hair too much can transfer oils from your hands, and styling products can make your hair look greasier.
- If you still have greasy hair, ask your doctor or dermatologist for more help.
Table of Contents
- Can Your Hair Get Greasy During Pregnancy?
- Hair Changes During Pregnancy
- What Causes Greasy Hair During Pregnancy?
- How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
- How To Treat Greasy Hair During Pregnancy
- Final Thought
Can Your Hair Get Greasy During Pregnancy?
Yes!
As a woman experiences pregnancy, her body undergoes numerous hormonal changes that can contribute to various physical alterations.
One common issue many expecting mothers face is the increased oil production in their hair and scalp, leading to greasy or oily hair.
This can be attributed to the surge of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which can cause an overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by the scalp.
Additionally, some women may find that their hair texture changes during pregnancy, becoming thicker or more coarse, which can further exacerbate the issue of greasiness.
While frustrating, this is normal during pregnancy and can often be managed with regular hair washing and proper scalp care.
Hair Changes During Pregnancy
It is a well-known fact that pregnancy leads to significant changes in a woman’s body. One of the most noticeable changes is as follows.
Thicker Hair
On average, we naturally shed approximately 100 to 125 strands of hair per day. This natural cycle allows new hair to grow and replace the old ones.
You will experience a higher estrogen level during pregnancy, which naturally interrupts the shedding cycle.
Hair Growth
Some women may experience accelerated hair growth. High levels of androgen often cause this during the first trimester.
Also, increased vitamin intake can prolong hair growth through diet and supplements.
Shiny Hair
Many pregnant women experience shinier, healthier-looking hair. During pregnancy, the natural texture of hair may change, leading to a smoother and less frizzy appearance.
Dandruff
Due to hormonal fluctuations, it’s common for women to experience dandruff and dry skin. This is caused or made worse by excessive oil production, which can cause a buildup of skin cells on the scalp.
Sensitive To Product
Pregnancy can cause a sensitivity to certain product ingredients. It is also one of the main reasons pregnant women report nausea with certain scents.
This could mean that your usual shampoo or conditioner causes some irritation on the hair and scalp. While your body is hyper-sensitive, using gentle, natural products is preferable.
As you may know, many women experience various hair-related issues during pregnancy, including excessive shedding, thinning, and even complete hair loss.
Hormonal changes are the primary cause of these alterations in hair growth patterns.
As the levels of estrogen and progesterone increase, hair growth is stimulated, and the hair becomes thicker and fuller.
However, these hormone levels drop significantly after delivery, leading to hair shedding and thinning.
It is crucial for pregnant women to maintain a healthy diet, use mild hair care products, and seek medical advice if they experience severe hair loss or other related issues.
What Causes Greasy Hair During Pregnancy?
Oil hair and skin are a result of higher levels of progesterone. This may not be a negative thing.
Progesterone is one of the hormones that are responsible for the regulation of menstruation and ovulation.
Maintaining adequate levels of progesterone is crucial for a healthy pregnancy.
However, it can be inconvenient when you experience persistent greasy hair during pregnancy.
This happens when high levels of progesterone increase sebum production in the follicles.
As a result, the hair may become dull, thin, and flat. While washing your hair more frequently to counteract this problem might be tempting, that may only add to it.
The more you use shampoo to wash your hair (particularly the kind of product containing sulfates and other drying chemicals), the more you strip the hair of natural oils.
What happens, then? The hair becomes even greasier, then becomes a cycle of frequent washing to control the excess oil.
It’s quite common for pregnant women to experience a sudden oil outburst on their scalp.
Hormonal changes in the body can lead to an overdrive of sebaceous glands. Unfortunately, you can’t do much to combat the effects of these changing hormones.
How Your Body Changes During Pregnancy
Your body changes significantly during pregnancy, so taking extra care of yourself during the months ahead makes sense.
Changes To Your Skin
Progesterone causes glands in the skin to produce more oil, so you may find break out in spots for the first time in years. Similarly, your skin may experience dryness and itchiness.
Avoid scented shower gels and bubbles bath as these can dry your skin, and use a skincare range appropriate for your skin type and moisturizer daily.
If facials are part of your regular beauty routine, there is no reason to stop having them, but you need to be aware that your skin is likely to be more sensitive than usual.
It is recommended that you use products specifically designed for sensitive skin.
You Can Develop Stretch Marks
Stretch marks appear as reddish lines, often on the breast, stomach, and thighs. This occurs if the natural elasticity of the skin becomes overstretched.
If you want to maintain supple and itch-free skin, it’s important to massage moisturizing cream into your breast and abdomen.
Additionally, avoiding excessive weight gain and wearing a supportive bra can also be helpful. After birth, the lines will fade and become a lot less noticeable.
Pigmentation
Certain women may experience chloasma, a butterfly-shaped mask that can appear on the face. This condition may appear darker on fair skin and lighter on dark skin.
This can be concealed with makeup and will also disappear after childbirth.
Your Nails
Pregnancy hormones will likely affect your nails, so you may find that your nails split and break more easily.
Changes Your Hair
Your hair may be thicker and greasier, mainly because growth seeps up.
You also need to be aware that pregnancy hormones can make your hair react differently, so the result of any treatment may be unpredictable.
How To Treat Greasy Hair During Pregnancy
If you are experiencing greasy hair during your pregnancy, you may wonder how to treat it.
You can do a few things to help manage the oiliness and keep your hair looking and feeling clean and healthy.
1. Do Not Condition Your Hair
Most women enjoy shampooing and conditioning their hair in order to achieve a glossy appearance.
However, during pregnancy, it is suggested that you skip conditioning your hair if you have an oily hair problem.
This is because conditioning moisturizes your hair, and if you already have oily hair, it may further make your scalp oily and greasy.
However, choosing the right shampoo and conditioner (like the Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Daily Shampoo) made for greasy hair type is important.
Look for products specifically designed for oily or greasy hair to help control excess oil and prevent buildup.
2. Do Not Shampoo Your Hair Daily
It is recommended not to overwash or over-shampoo your hair to eliminate the excessive oil.
Frequent shampooing can increase oil production by the sebaceous glands on your scalp. The best way to wash your hair moderately is two to three times a week.
Ensure you do not use harsh shampoo as it may cause your scalp to dry, though temporarily, it may lead to more oil on your scalp.
3. Go Easy on Exfoliation
If you have clogged pores or acne breakouts, it’s okay to exfoliate during pregnancy.
When searching for skincare formulas during pregnancy, opt for those with gentle physical exfoliation rather than harsh chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin.
Exfoliate only once or twice a week, and don’t scrub too hard.
4. Avoid Heavy or Moisturizing Products
Avoid heavy or moisturizing products, as these can weigh down your hair and make it look even greasier.
5. Wash Your Hair More Frequently
Another helpful tip is to wash your hair more frequently.
While it’s important not to over-wash your hair, as this can strip it of its natural oils, washing it every other day or every two days can help to keep the oiliness under control.
In addition to using the right products and washing your hair regularly, there are some other things you can do to help manage greasy hair during pregnancy.
And they include;
- Avoid touching your hair too much, as this can transfer oils from your hands to your hair. Avoid using too many styling products, as these can build up on your hair and make it look greasier.
- When washing your hair, use warm water to stimulate your scalp to produce more oil.
- Keep stress at bay. During pregnancy, the combination of stress and hormonal changes may produce excess oil in the hair. Hence you must avoid stressing about little things.
- Follow a healthy diet. Ensure you eat healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, and avoid oily, fried, and sugary foods. Eating unhealthy foods may produce more and, thus, oily scalp or hair.
- Blot gently. If you have access to a sink and need to clean up, consider using blotting papers. These sheets are designed to absorb excess oil and come in individual packaging for convenience. These are great in a pinch and good to keep in your bag.
Finally, if you struggle with greasy hair despite your best efforts, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor or a dermatologist.
They may be able to recommend additional treatments or medications to help manage the oiliness and keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
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Final Thought
I hope this blog post has given in-depth knowledge on why you have greasy hair during pregnancy has been answered.
Greasy hair is one of the changes women experience during pregnancy because of the overproduction of sebum.
This can make the hair appear dull, thin, and lackluster. Staying greasy hair is generally harder because it often falls flat and doesn’t cooperate with styling tools.
We shouldn’t feel awkward but rather become imperturbable because greasy hair comes mostly during pregnancy and is normal and natural.
Since we know it’s natural, all we have to do is to be important in knowing how to treat the greasy hair on our body.
When it goes out of hand, we can meet a doctor or specialist with whom we can interplay and understand things we are ignorant about.
Knowing what causes greasy hair also will help to avoid it more. If you have been applying things that cause your hair to become greasy, it is not too late to redress it by avoiding them and treating your hair and general health.