Pregnancy can be a wild ride, and one of the unexpected changes many moms notice is their hair. It’s not just about losing or gaining hair—some moms find that their hair changes color or texture entirely. It’s like Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Surprise! You thought you knew your hair!”

Your Hair May Change Colors and Texture with Each Pregnancy

The Science Behind Pregnancy Hair Changes

Pregnancy hormones have a way of shaking things up, and your hair isn’t exempt from their effects. Estrogen levels skyrocket during pregnancy, and this hormone can influence hair growth, texture, and even color. Normally, your hair goes through a cycle of growth, rest, and shedding. During pregnancy, the increase in estrogen prolongs the growth phase, which is why many women notice their hair becoming thicker and fuller. But once the pregnancy is over and hormone levels return to normal, all that hair that was in its growing phase suddenly enters the shedding phase—cue the infamous postpartum hair loss.

But what about changes in color or texture? Hormones, again, are the culprits. They can alter melanin production, the pigment responsible for your hair’s color. Some women find their hair darkens, while others might notice lighter strands or even unexpected patches of gray! Pregnancy hormones can also affect the structure of hair follicles, which can change the texture. Straight hair may become wavy, or curly hair might straighten out. It's all part of the body’s grand hormonal adventure!

When Pregnancy Takes Over Your Hair Game

Hair salons are often the first place moms go when they notice their pregnancy hair playing tricks on them. Jessica, a mom of three, vividly recalls how her hairstylist reacted when she came in after her second pregnancy, “I sat down and my stylist just stared at my hair. She said, ‘Wait, did you dye it blonde?’ I hadn’t! My naturally brown hair had lightened on its own, and neither of us could believe it.” Jessica laughs, adding that she kept the new shade for a while before eventually needing highlights to match her roots once the pregnancy glow faded.

Another mom, Maria, had the opposite experience. “I’ve always had stick-straight hair,” she explains. “But after my first pregnancy, it started getting wavy. By my third pregnancy, I was dealing with full-on curls. It was like my hair had gone rogue!” She recalls the many hours she spent trying to figure out what products worked best for her new texture, only to realize that each pregnancy brought a new hair adventure. “I finally just embraced the curls and started going to a curl specialist salon. They welcomed me with open arms and a diffuser!”

A local stylist shared that a client she had been seeing for a decade came in pregnant for her normal highlights, but her hair refused to take the color and instead showed pink! Her hormones triggered an underlying red-tone to appear that still lingers years later.

Embrace the Change

If you’re pregnant and noticing that your hair has decided to take on a new identity, you’re not alone. While these changes can be surprising (and sometimes inconvenient), they’re also a chance to try new styles and techniques. If your hair is curling up, embrace the volume with curly-hair products and techniques. If it’s straightening out, enjoy a sleek look you may never have had before.

And if the color changes? Well, that’s what hair salons are for! It’s not uncommon for hairstylists to see moms coming in with pregnancy-induced hair transformations. Your stylist can work with your new look, adding highlights or lowlights to balance out any color changes that might have occurred naturally.

Other Weird Hair Changes: It’s Not Just on Your Head

And it’s not just the hair on your head that might change during pregnancy. Increased estrogen levels can also lead to more hair growth in other areas, like your arms, face, and belly. It’s all part of the hormonal whirlwind that pregnancy brings. But don’t worry—many of these changes, particularly the extra hair growth, tend to fade after your baby is born.

Pregnancy may bring plenty of surprises, and hair changes are just one of the many mysteries moms face. Whether your hair gets curlier, straighter, lighter, or darker, it’s all part of the journey. So, grab a good shampoo, book that salon appointment, and get ready to rock whatever look pregnancy has given you. After all, it’s just another chapter in the fun, ever-changing story of motherhood!