Spruce up your hair

You are pregnant and glowing, and you want to look good. Your crowning glory still retains its place at the top.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect hair and skin. For the first three months sebaceous glands (found in the skin, communicating with the hair follicles and secreting sebum), can be over active, leading to oily hair, so use a mild shampoo daily. There after the hair has a prolonged growth period, so it is thick and shiny. Avoid excessive chemical processing. Aroma therapy can be harmful too so check the ingredients in the product you use. After birth as the hormones readapt, hair can be dull and there is a possibility of excessive hair loss. Worry not because this is just hair that would have been lost earlier. Take a diet that has natural sources of vitamin B such as wheat germ or brewer’s yeast to increase the health of your hair. Here are some of the expected changes to your hair and how you can take care of them to ensure a neat look:

Frizzy hair

This can be caused by the atmospheric moisture that turns straight sleek hair info a frizzy mess. To manage this, look for styling preparations that repel moisture. Pomades and serum are a good choice. Try using leave-in conditioners after shampooing. This will not overload the hair but will help retain moisture and prevent frizz. The best way to style your hair and retain moisture at the same time is to ensure you mix equal amounts of hair gel and serum before applying.

Alternatively stop tightening the frizz and adapt your hair style instead. Try starching gel into your hair to encourage natural movement and give it body.

Static hair

All hair strands have an electrical charge which is positive and negative. When either two negative or positive hair strands repel each other, hair goes static. It occurs as a result of friction created when brushing or blow drying the hair. Use conditioners, mousse and styling sprays to restore the electrical balance. A quick way to tame static hair is by applying a fine mist of hair spray to your hair brush or comb and then gently running it through hair.

Dull hair

It results from poor circulation, buildup of styling preparation, harsh shampoos or poor application of dyes. To make your hair lustrous, increase your intake of peanuts, egg-yolks and wheal germ, due to presence of rich Vitamin B groups and E. Shampoo the hair then rinse with lemon juice or vinegar diluted in cold water. The acidity fattens the cuticles, leaving your hair shiny. Add serum onto the hair and then run a large make up brush down the hair shaft to smooth cuticle and give hair a polished finish. Curly hair can look dull as the cuticles do not lie flat—try a leave-in conditioner.

END: PG 25/41