4 myths about skin and hair during pregnancy

Learn about some of the main myths surrounding the skin and hair during pregnancy.

A woman’s body undergoes numerous changes during pregnancy, largely as a result of the hormonal, endocrine and immunological changes that occur during this period. Many of these changes affect the skin, hair and nails. Some are temporary and gradually resolve after childbirth. Others persist for longer and, in some cases, may become permanent.

This wide range of changes has given rise to numerous myths about the skin and hair during pregnancy. In this article, we examine some of the most widespread.

Common myths about skin and hair during pregnancy

Some of the most relevant and widespread myths are the following:

1. Your skin improves if you are expecting a boy and worsens if you are expecting a girl

False. Many people will have heard the belief that a woman looks more radiant when she is expecting a boy than when she is expecting a girl. There is no scientific evidence to support this widely held belief.

Whether the skin improves, worsens or appears more radiant does not depend on the baby’s sex. It is influenced by hormonal changes, including changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy. These hormones can affect blood flow to the skin and may contribute to the characteristic changes in skin appearance experienced by some pregnant women. At the same time, pre-existing conditions such as rosacea or acne may improve or worsen.

There is a similar misconception concerning the linea alba: according to this belief, marked darkening of the line indicates a girl, while a lighter line indicates a boy.

Like other traditional methods of predicting a baby’s sex from the mother’s appearance or cravings, this has no scientific basis.

2. Removing hair from the linea alba makes it grow back thicker

This is another myth relating to skin changes during pregnancy. The linea alba is a fibrous structure running vertically between the navel and the pubic area. In some pregnant women, this line becomes darker from the second trimester onwards as hormonal changes increase melanin production. When it becomes visibly pigmented, it is often known as the linea nigra.

In some women, this pigmentation is accompanied by increased hair growth along the same area.

Both the increased pigmentation and excess hair usually fade gradually after childbirth as hormone levels return towards their pre-pregnancy state.

Some women may nevertheless wish to remove the hair. The source article advises avoiding laser hair removal and light-based hair removal during pregnancy.

Removing hair does not cause it to grow back thicker or stronger. When hair is shaved, it is cut at skin level. As it begins to grow again, the cut end is blunt rather than tapered, which can make the hair temporarily feel coarser even though its structure and growth rate have not changed.

3. You cannot dye your hair during pregnancy

This is not strictly true, although there are some considerations to bear in mind. Concern about hair dye during pregnancy is understandable because many colouring products contain hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and other chemical compounds that may be absorbed through the scalp to some degree.

However, absorption through the scalp is limited and hair dye remains in contact with the skin for a relatively short period.

The source article nevertheless recommends a precautionary approach and suggests postponing hair colouring until later in pregnancy.

Women who remain concerned may also consider ammonia-free or plant-based formulations, or colouring techniques such as highlights that minimise direct contact between the product and the scalp.

Women who dye their hair at home should follow product instructions carefully, wear gloves, leave the dye on only for the recommended time and rinse the hair and scalp thoroughly afterwards.

3. Cutting your hair at the beginning of pregnancy makes it grow back stronger

False. Cutting the hair shaft has no effect on the function of the hair follicle, which is responsible for hair growth.

Hair and nails may change during pregnancy and can sometimes become more fragile. Some women also report increased scalp oiliness or the need to wash their hair more frequently. However, many women experience the opposite and notice that their hair appears denser, thicker or shinier during pregnancy.

These changes are largely related to pregnancy-associated hormonal variations, which alter the normal hair cycle so that fewer hairs may be shed each day. Some women also notice changes in hair texture or describe their hair as having more body.

The appearance of fuller hair during pregnancy is therefore not caused by cutting it. Haircuts also have no effect on postpartum telogen effluvium, a noticeable increase in hair shedding that can occur after childbirth as hormone levels return towards their pre-pregnancy state and the hair cycle gradually normalises.

Postpartum telogen effluvium is generally temporary and reversible and often does not require specific treatment. It usually begins a few months after childbirth and may continue for several weeks. During this period, women may notice considerably more hair than usual in their brush, on their pillow or in the shower.

It is advisable to consult a dermatologist specialising in telogen effluvium if shedding persists longer than expected, so that other potential causes of hair loss or an underlying alopecia can be ruled out.

4. If you ignore a pregnancy craving, your baby will have a birthmark

False. According to this myth, if a pregnant woman has a food craving and does not satisfy it, the baby will develop a mark on the skin. One variation even claims that the birthmark will resemble the colour or shape of the food the mother was craving.

There is no scientific basis for this belief. Some of the skin lesions traditionally referred to in this way are vascular abnormalities such as angiomas or haemangiomas.

These lesions are relatively common in infants. Some are visible at birth, while others develop during the first weeks of life.

Vascular lesions are more common in girls, premature babies and infants with a low birth weight. Their appearance and progression vary according to the type of lesion. Some initially appear as subtle pink, bluish or pale marks and may subsequently become more prominent or change in colour.

Many resolve spontaneously over time. Others may leave residual telangiectasias — small visible blood vessels — which can sometimes be treated with pulsed dye laser once the lesion has stabilised and the child is old enough for treatment.

An infantile haemangioma is a common benign vascular tumour sometimes referred to as a “strawberry haemangioma”. It is often not present at birth but develops during the first few weeks or months of life.

Depending on the type, size and location of the haemangioma, observation may be appropriate or treatment may be recommended. A dermatologist specialising in angiomas and vascular anomalies can assess the lesion and determine whether medication, laser treatment or, in selected cases, surgery is appropriate.

In selected cases, laser treatment or surgery may be considered depending on the size, location, colour and aesthetic impact of the lesion.

We invite you to share this article about myths surrounding the skin and hair during pregnancy with family and friends who may find it useful.