Which hair treatments should you opt for during pregnancy? What should you do if your hair is dull and lifeless? Should you stop colouring your hair? Take a look at which regime you should adopt and what you should avoid for the next 9 months.

Use gentle formulations

Have you ever noticed (or even longed for) the thick shiny locks that some pregnant women have? Lots of future mums have beautiful hair (especially from the 2nd month of pregnancy onwards) due to their hormones. Hair growth is boosted, hair loss is slowed down and the hair is less greasy. If this is the case for you, a gentle shampoo used every two days and a weekly hydrating hair mask is enough to take care of your locks.

Some ladies will be disappointed as changes in hormones will not give them the thick glossy locks they desire. In some cases, the reverse effect happens. In that case, you should seek advice from a professional and start using targeted treatments such as purifying formulations or nourishing hair masks if your hair breaks easily and is dull.

Limit the use of heated stylers

We’re not saying that you should completely stop blow-drying your hair for 9 months. However, it is advisable to limit the use of heated stylers which tend to stimulate the sebaceous glands, and may make oiliness worse if your hormones are playing tricks on you. As for using your hair dryer, one alternative is to use it on the cold air setting.

Can I colour my hair?

The answer varies depending on whom you ask. Some experts advise against it as it is seen as bad for the baby, whilst others claim that the chemicals are present in too small a quantity to impact on the unborn child’s health. If you are unsure, you should take another point into account: how you will react to the product. Even if you have gone through the milestone of colouring your hair for the first time, changes in hormones can alter how sensitive you are to products and can irritate your scalp. Not to mention an intolerance to smells. The alternative? Opt for ammonia-free or plant- based formulations at your Jean Louis David salon, up to the 6 month mark.

Massage your scalp

Hormones mean that hair loss is reduced during pregnancy, which accounts for the hair often looking thicker. The other side of the coin is that after giving birth, hair which has grown beautifully often falls out as the hair cycle goes back to normal. Prepare for regrowth with regular scalp massages which promote blood circulation and therefore stimulate hair growth.