Bringing a new life to this world is always an exciting journey. There are many emotional experiences and lifestyle changes to look forward to during and after pregnancy. However, there are also physical changes that you may experience during this period, namely pregnancy acne and most commonly, post-partum hair loss.
Tips to ensure healthy hair and scalp during this period
As the scalp is an extension of the facial skin, the skin on the top of your head is just as important to take care of as the skin on the rest of your body. As your hair follicles receive valuable nutrients from your blood supply to the scalp, your scalp health is directly correlated to maintaining healthy hair.
A healthy scalp ensures good cell renewal process and that hair follicles get nutrients to maintain healthy-looking hair, promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. In order for your scalp to function properly, it needs that little bit more of TLC!
Here are 3 hair and scalp conditions to look out for during and after pregnancy and some tips on how to remedy them.
1. Post-partum hair loss
Everybody loses hair on a daily basis. The reason is neither alarming nor threatening, but rather a natural “top-end” renewal process.
To understand more about hair loss, we would first need to understand our hair life cycle. As shown in the image above, there are 3 stages in the hair life cycle – anagen, catagen and telogen phases. Each strand of hair on our scalp is at its own phase of development.
Normally around 85%-95% of your hair is in the anagen (growth) phase at any point in time, while the other 5%-15% is in a telogen (resting) phase. Every two or three months, the resting hair falls out and new hair grows in its place.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes stimulate an increase in the percentage of hairs in the anagen (growth) phase due to soaring oestrogen and progesterone levels. These growing hairs are influenced to stay within their anagen (growth) phase longer than they would normally. As a result, you may experience thicker hair density and a decrease in hair loss.
The most common period for hair loss to kick in is about three months after giving birth. With the birth of your baby and a sudden drop in hormone levels, all the growing hairs that stayed in prolonged anagen (growth) phase change over together into the catagen (transition) phase. It is in this catagen phase that your hair roots detach from the blood supply in the scalp.
Even if it feels like you may be losing too much hair, it is actually an accumulation of the hair you would have normally lost during your pregnancy. This is commonly known as post-partum hair loss.
Circular Hair Loss (Alopecia Areata)
Under normal circumstances, post-partum hair loss will resolve by itself naturally. However, in some circumstances, it may manifest itself for longer stages and in some individuals, becomes a permanent concern.
RAUSCH Hair Loss Line
RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Shampoo cleanses gently and perceptibly revitalises the scalp. Caffeine increases the circulation to the scalp and is vasodilating, so the hair roots can better absorb the nutrients from the blood supply to your scalp. Caffeine from the Guarana seed and tiger grass combined, improves the blood circulation to your scalp and further help to detoxify the scalp for the absorption of active ingredients. RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Rinse Conditioner supports the effect of RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Shampoo in treatment of hair loss. In addition to conditioning your hair and keeping it soft and easily manageable, RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Rinse Conditioner can also be applied onto the scalp and supports regrowth of healthy and strong hair.
Long-term improvement of the blood circulation to the scalp supports and activates natural hair regrowth. With the active ingredients, burdock root extract and essential oils of citrus fruits, RAUSCH Original Hair Tincture has a refreshing and toning effect. The scalp is strengthened and hair growth is actively promoted. As the RAUSCH Original Hair Tincture has no noxious effects and no influences on the hormonal balance, making it very safe for use during and after pregnancy.
RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Intensive Fluid is skin-friendly and is an intensive solution for diffuse hair loss. Containing the active ingredients, ginseng, nettle and basil extract, together with stimulating caffeine, RAUSCH Ginseng Caffeine Intensive Fluid penetrates into the hair roots and boosts blood circulation in the scalp, thereby effectively counteracting hair loss. It promotes hair growth particularly in cases of diffuse alopecia, post-partum hair loss and hypersensitive scalp with hair loss.
2. Sensitive scalp
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also cause other dermatological changes to the scalp, ranging from dry, itchy skin to greasy, acne-prone skin. These changes can lead to new development or worsening of existing skin conditions like eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, which can cause you to feel tenderness, irritation or redness on your scalp.
Sensitive Scalp (Source: Healthline)
RAUSCH Sensitive Line
RAUSCH Heartseed Sensitive Shampoo and RAUSCH Heartseed Sensitive Rinse Conditioner contains heartseed which acts as a natural steroid to soothe and reduce skin scalp concerns. It calms and moisturizes sensitive scalp. The skin’s own protective barrier is also strengthened. Its effectiveness in treating itchiness and eczema has been verified in many clinical studies.
This range is hypoallergenic and free from perfume oils, dyes, preservatives, colourants, silicones, parabens, mineral oils and PEG. This means that it is highly unlikely that any person, even those with the most sensitive skin conditions, will experience any kind of adverse reaction.
3. Greasy scalp & Scalp acne
Many women may also experience acne during pregnancy. It is most common during the first and second trimesters.
An increase in hormones called androgens can cause the glands in your skin to grow and produce more sebum thereby causing greasiness of the scalp. This excess sebum can then clog pores and lead to bacteria and fungus growth on the scalp causing dandruff, inflammation, itchiness, and scalp acne.
Scalp Acne (Source: MedicalNewsToday)
RAUSCH Problematic Scalp Line
With valuable extracts of willow bark and thyme oil, RAUSCH Willow Bark Treatment Shampoo provides gentle, lasting relief from oily dandruff, redness, itchiness and acne. Willow bark is a source of natural salicylic acid (salicin). It has anti-microbial properties that help reduce formation of acne, itchiness and inflammation. Additionally, it also has exfoliating properties that encourages the loosening of dandruff flakes from the scalp.
About RAUSCH Singapore
With RAUSCH, you can regain healthy hair and scalp during your pregnancy and after. RAUSCH is an exquisite range of Swiss herbal hair and scalp care range of products. Made from the highest quality of herbs sourced from Switzerland and other countries all over the world, RAUSCH takes pride in combining this traditional herbal remedy with the latest research and development ideas to create a herbal-based, yet highly-effective range of hair and scalp care products to tackle most hair and scalp problems sustainably.
Specially for BMB clients, receive a complimentary Hair & Scalp assessment and a FREE Customised RAUSCH Hair and Body Care Set (worth $24.50) to achieve the best hair and scalp health for your skin type.
Kickstart your journey to healthier hair and scalp by quoting RAUSCHXBMB in your email to rausch@eltean-sg.com.
Valid until 31 Dec 2020. Terms & conditions apply.
This article is retrieved from one of our Hair Care Partners, RAUSCH Singapore.