Is it common for your hair to get thicker when you're pregnant?
You may find that your hair feels fuller when you're pregnant. But you're not actually growing more hair (and the strands themselves aren't any thicker) – you're just losing it more slowly than you usually do.
Here's what's going on: Normally, 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage. After the resting period, this hair naturally falls out (often while you're brushing or shampooing your hair) and is replaced by new growth. The average woman sheds anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair a day.
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During pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen prolong the growth phase, resulting in less shedding of hair and thicker tresses. Some women also notice that their hair becomes shinier during pregnancy or that it changes in texture (curly hair might become straighter, for example).
Your post-pregnancy locks probably won't be as luxurious. After giving birth, the growth/rest cycle goes back to its previous pattern, so you may have postpartum hair loss about 1 to 5 months after delivery.
Not all pregnant women notice dramatic changes in their hair before and after giving birth, though. Among those who do, the changes tend to be more obvious in women with longer hair.
Is it normal to have more facial or body hair?
Yes, your facial and body hair may grow faster when you're pregnant, possibly because of an increase in hormones called androgens.
You can safely tweeze, wax, or shave during pregnancy to remove unwanted hair. Avoid chemicals such as bleaches or depilatories, which could be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Permanent hair-removal techniques, such as laser and electrolysis, are thought to be safe, but it's best to wait on these until after pregnancy. The hormones that cause excess pigmentation during pregnancy (resulting in chloasma or the mask of pregnancy) can also cause darkening of the skin after these cosmetic procedures, especially if you have darker skin. Besides, laser and electrolysis can be painful, and you may already have plenty of discomfort during pregnancy.
In any case, most of this unwanted hair should be gone three to six months after you deliver your baby.
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Is it common for your nails to grow faster?
Yes, although you might not notice the difference. Some pregnant women also develop harder nails, but others find that their nails are softer or more brittle. These changes are temporary, and your nails should return to normal sometime after you give birth. If you get all the nutrients your body needs, your fingernails should be in good shape three to six months after your baby arrives. (Your toenails could take nine months to a year.)
In the meantime, you can protect your fingernails by wearing rubber gloves when you're doing the dishes or cleaning, and by using moisturizer on your hands, especially on the skin that surrounds the nail and on the nails, particularly if they're brittle.
Skin changes are also common during pregnancy. Here are 6 common pregnancy skin problems to look out for.
