Is it bad to cut your hair during pregnancy? We explain the myth

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Some women wonder if it is wrong to cut their hair during pregnancy due to many superstitions that surround them. Since ancient times, it is believed that hair contains a person’s strength and cutting it means letting go of a part of her vital energy, in a way that could shorten her life or even invoke some evil power or disease.

Another popular belief is that, after the cut, the nutrients needed by the baby will be diverted to grow hair; or, on the contrary, that the baby will absorb the nutrients and the hair will not grow until it is born.

However, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these myths. In fact, it’s normal for hair to undergo changes in length and texture at this stage, so a trip to the salon might help you feel comfortable with your new look. You want to know more? Keep reading!

Pregnant woman brushing her long hair
Since it is not an invasive procedure, it is not bad to cut your hair during pregnancy, but it will help you keep it healthy. Credit: Yan Krukov/Pexels.

When you’re pregnant, your body releases a large number of hormones, and most of them are in a constant flow or elevated state. Hormonal changes are responsible for altering the volume, length and texture of the hair during this period: while some women perceive it as thicker and more voluminous, others experience frizz and hair loss. It is not bad to cut your hair during pregnancy, but it can help control it and make it look healthier and more vital. As it is not an invasive procedure, it does not harm you or your baby.

There is also no date or period in which it is more or less recommended to go through the scissors, so you can continue with your routine.

However, be careful if your stylist uses products with ingredients you’d rather avoid, such as caffeine or some essential oils, or if you’re planning to have a treatment or dye your hair during pregnancy. Remember to consult your doctor to clarify doubts.

It is also likely that, for safety, you prefer to avoid a beauty salon (or any other space) with many people. Try to make an appointment at a less crowded time.

Pregnant woman doing her beauty routine
Your hair beauty routine does not have to be interrupted during pregnancy, although you will want to take some precautions. Credit: Yan Krukov/Pexels.

Being pregnant does not prevent you from continuing with your hair beauty routine. In fact, there are many things you can do and a few things to be careful about:

It is not bad to cut your hair during pregnancy

It is advisable cut the ends regularly to prevent splitting, control breakage and prevent hair thinning. However, during pregnancy, hair texture is affected, making it even more important not to miss your salon appointments. Now if you want to make a more noticeable change, go ahead! On the site, we have a lot of inspiration in terms of haircuts for women.

you can dye your hair

The most dangerous substances, because they compete with the formation of the embryo, are hydrogen peroxide and paraphenylenediamine (PPD). They are more common in permanent dyes than in semi-permanent ones, and they are also more abundant in dark colors than in light ones.

Today, even conventional dyes contain safe doses of these chemicals. In addition, the time during which the product comes into contact with the scalp is very short and absorption is minimal, which is why it is insufficient to cause damage to the embryo or the mother.

To be completely safe, you can refrain from using it during the first trimester —the most sensitive for the baby’s cognitive and psychomotor development— or opt for a coloring technique that avoids the scalp, such as the balayage, ombre either dip dye.

If you decide to apply the dye yourself, consider that you should do it with gloves, in a ventilated room and the minimum time necessary for it to work.

The use of ammonia-free dyesperoxide, paraphenylenediamine, resorcinol and parabens is safe during pregnancy.

You can keep most of your hair products

Very few studies have examined the effects of chemicals in hair products on pregnant women. While many doctors do not see the need to alter the routine, with some exceptions that we will mention later, others suggest that there is a possibility that the scalp absorbs aggressive ingredients and transmits them to the fetus; These include parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.

Editor’s tip: Some women prefer to keep their hair products as safe as possible. In this case, we suggest you try the shampoo Y Bioexpert Plant Placenta Extract conditioner, which promote healthy hair growth. Its pH is balanced and more than 90% of its ingredients are of natural origin. In addition, they are free of salt, parabens, paraffins, alcohol and dyes.

The salicylic acid, found in some anti-dandruff treatments, should be excluded during pregnancy. In addition to being especially aggressive in this period, when the skin is more sensitive, it can be carried by the blood to the placenta and penetrate the fetus.

Another ingredient to avoid is caffeinean easily absorbed stimulant that makes up some products to stop hair loss.

Now, if you are under any medical treatment (for example, based on cortisone, minoxidil or finasteride), whether topical, oral or injectable, it is most likely that you should suspend it.

Also, consider that some women may be overwhelmed by scents. If the smell of your products is intolerable, switch to a fragrance-free version.

Oil in a dropper for beauty routine
Although the use of vegetable oils is safe, it is better to refrain from some essential oils during pregnancy. Credit: Alesia Kozik/Pexels.

You can apply some hair oils

Vegetable oils are completely natural, healthy and very popular because they have no contraindications. Some examples are the almond oilargan, coconut or avocado.

However, it is necessary to do without certain essential oils, due to their abortifacient properties or because they can cause alterations in the development of the baby or even induce labor. Among them, sage, Atlas cedar, oregano, cloves, pennyroyal, peppermint and cinnamon.

You can use heat tools

The use of the iron, curling iron and dryer is safe during pregnancy, although you may want to avoid it if your hair is dry, frizzy or falling out, since it will only weaken it further.

You can make hair treatments (without formaldehyde)

Avoid chemical treatments that contain ammonium thioglycolate formaldehyde. The high concentrations of formaldehyde in the curling and permanent straightening have been linked to miscarriages, birth defects, and premature birth.

As an alternative, we suggest a straightening without formaldehydewhich provides shine and softness to the hair, significantly reducing frizz.

try to relax

The stress hair loss during pregnancy is quite common. Hair follicles are in a growth cycle all the time. When experiencing emotional stress, it is altered and enters a resting phase, reducing hair growth and causing it to fall out.

Do activities that help you relax. Take a long bath, light aromatic candles, listen to peaceful music, meditate, practice yogasleep late or make yourself a hair massage.

Be aware of your diet

Being pregnant, surely you are looking for a balanced diet for you and your baby. A nutritious diet will also help improve the health of your skin and hair. It includes flaxnuts, fish, and eggs for stronger, healthier hair follicles.

Regularly trimming the ends of your hair doesn’t make it grow faster, but it does make it appear thicker, healthier, and shinier. It is advisable to cut your hair during pregnancy (and outside of it), more or less, one centimeter every eight or 10 weeks. In this way, you will not only get rid of split ends, but also prevent their appearance.

The maximum speed at which hair grows is determined by genetics. For most, this is about 1.2 centimeters a month. During pregnancy, hair is likely to grow faster, due to the high level of estrogen, among other factors.

Do you have doubts about other hair myths? Remember that you can always contact us on Instagram (@allthingshairmex), our mailbox is open for you!

The post Is it bad to cut your hair during pregnancy? We explain the myth appeared first on All Things Hair Mexico.



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