Pregnancy is the most beautiful condition. For some women, it's also one of the best hair phases of thicker hair and less hair fall. For others, it's a period of dry and frizzy hair and increased hair fall. 

Your hair might even feel greasier than usual, tempting you to reach for that fantastic clarifying shampoo that promises to eliminate product build-up and grime. But is your clarifying shampoo safe for you when you are pregnant? Here's everything you must know about using clarifying shampoos during pregnancy. 

Table of Contents:

• What Is a Clarifying Shampoo?
• Why Do We Need a Clarifying Shampoo
• Why Are Some Hair Products Unsafe During Pregnancy?
• Are Clarifying Shampoos Safe During Pregnancy?
• How to Choose a Safe Clarifying Shampoo to Use During Pregnancy
• Tips for Shampooing and Conditioning Hair During Pregnancy

What Is a Clarifying Shampoo?

A clarifying shampoo is a deep cleaning shampoo formulated with strong surfactants (soap-like ingredients that remove residue, grease, and other impurities from your hair). It effortlessly eliminates product build-up, grease, grime, and dirt. 

Like all shampoos, these are made up of 80% to 90% water. But unlike regular shampoos that contain mild surfactants, clarifying shampoos contain powerful ones. 

Why Do We Need a Clarifying Shampoo

Our scalp and hair accumulate sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, hair products, and other build-ups during our life. Over time, this build-up can make our hair look greasy, dull, limp, and feel weighted down. 

Washing hair that already contains a lot of product build-up can be difficult. A regular shampoo might not be able to break down the grime, grease, and product that is engorged in the scalp and hair. A clarifying shampoo can easily cut through and dissolve grime, dirt, dust, and product build-up with a single wash.

Why Are Some Hair Products Unsafe During Pregnancy?

You must be careful about what you use during pregnancy. Your hormones are going through rapid changes, and you should be cautious about what you put in or on your body – especially during the first trimester. 

Although your shampoo and conditioner stay on your hair for only a few minutes, they can do some severe damage. Unfortunately, companies do not test their products on pregnant women, and there is very little or no evidence to suggest that hair products like clarifying shampoos are safe during pregnancy.

Shampoos and conditioners come in contact with most of your skin when you shower, and harmful chemicals are infused into the steam you inhale into your lungs. Hair follicles are an easy point of entry to the skin, and chemicals in your clarifying shampoo can quickly enter your body. 

Studies conducted on animals on sodium lauryl sulfate (a commonly used surfactant in shampoos) have been linked to birth defects. 

Parabens that are often found in shampoos are unsafe during pregnancy. 

Synthetic fragrances could contain phthalates and methylisothiazolinone. Phthalates can alter hormone levels. Studies conducted on rats have found that methylisothiazolinone can mess up the growth of nerve cells.

Most commercially available shampoos and conditioners also contain preservatives that could be hormone-disrupting. 

Are Clarifying Shampoos Safe During Pregnancy?

Clarifying shampoos are safe during pregnancy if they do not contain harmful chemicals, parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. The good news is that today you can find several mild, gentle, yet potent clarifying shampoos that are safe enough to use even during pregnancy. 

How to Choose a Safe Clarifying Shampoo to Use During Pregnancy

Choose a clarifying shampoo free of chemicals, parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances.

Plant-based, natural, and vegan formulas are safer during pregnancy.

Are you looking for a shampoo that clarifies but also helps with hair growth? Try WOW Skin Science Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo with red onion seed oil extract, pro-vitamin B5, and black seed oil. 

The shampoo is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, color, and PEG. It contains strong antioxidant properties that protect the scalp and hair, promote blood circulation to the roots, and nourish and condition the hair. Bursting with natural active ingredients and no chemicals, it's ideal during pregnancy.

If you want a powerful yet gentle and safe clarifying formula, try WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar, made with 100% vegan botanicals, including raw Himalayan apple cider vinegar. 

Other ingredients include sweet almond oil to nourish hair and antioxidant-rich nettle leaf extract that soothes the scalp. The plant-based clarifying formula unclogs hair follicles, removes build, revives dull hair, fights flakes, and is free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils. It is also color-safe and helps repair damaged hair.

Tips for Shampooing and Conditioning Hair During Pregnancy

• Avoid shampooing your hair often when you are pregnant. Limit shampooing your hair to once a week. 
• If your hair feels grimy mid-week, try to rinse it down with warm water without shampoo.
• Limit your use of clarifying shampoos to once a month or less.
  
  
• Choose a clarifying shampoo free of chemicals, parabens, and artificial fragrances. 
• When conditioning your hair, apply the conditioner only to the tips of your hair.
• Try a deep-conditioning mask of egg, plain yogurt, and olive oil made at home. WOW Skin Science has an excellent range of hair conditioners free of parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. 

There is evidence that chemicals in shampoos – including clarifying shampoos containing strong surfactants - can threaten the fetus. When choosing a clarifying shampoo to use during pregnancy, choose one that is free of chemicals, parabens, sulfates, and fragrances. It will be much safer and won't pose much risk. 

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products. From our all natural sulfate, silicone and paraben-free hair care collection we recommend Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo and Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo. And if you would like to learn more about apple cider vinegar's benefits or onion oil's benefits check out our ultimate guide on how to use them on your hair.