Ever feel like your hair looks greasier around THAT time of the month? Or that it seems to take you forever to get your locks to look (halfway) normal? You're not imagining things. The struggle is real.
Your period doesn't just make you feel bloaty, irritable, and crampy. It can also do a number on your hair. Want to know why?
Of COURSE you do.
"When your period is coming -- or happening -- your skin and scalp typically become more oily, due to the added stress and hormones," explains Carla Rivas, a hairstylist and co-founder of Hair La Vie natural hair growth vitamins.
If you neglect to consistently brush your hair, you might notice it looking shinier or flatter than usual. All that oil can also cause buildup on your scalp, which -- worst-case scenario, here -- can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss.
NOT comforting. But! There are two pretty easy steps you can take to protect your hair during this time of the month.
Use natural hair products. Remember the horror stories we've told you recently about WEN products and hair loss? And how the FDA doesn't do a very good job of regulating what goes into ANY hair products? Play it safe and look for shampoos and conditioners made from ingredients you recognize.
For instance, "lemon oil helps hydrate the scalp and prevent dandruff," Rivas says, "and marula oil is rich in vitamin C, E, and essential fatty acids which moisturize the scalp without clogging pores."
Peppermint oil's another good ingredient to use, since it increases circulation in your scalp.
More from The Stir: 8 All-Natural Ways to Feel Better Before & During Your Period (PHOTOS)
Keep a closer eye on your diet. Yes, what you put into your mouth CAN affect how well your hair behaves. (Or doesn't.)
While you might feel like burying your head in a party-sized bag of chips right before your period starts, "consuming a lot of salty meals and snacks will dry out your hair and leave it lifeless and breaking," Rivas notes.
And stay away from greasy foods, too. Not only do they cause more oil on your scalp, says Rivas, but "a lot of times after eating greasy food, people touch their ... hair without washing their hands ... You need a clean, debris-free scalp or your hair will not grow healthy and your follicle could be damaged."
And sorry, cupcake. Sugary foods are a no-no, too. They cause your blood sugar to rise, which in turn "causes an increase in androgen, a male hormone in your body," explains Rivas. "It's known for causing hair follicles to shrink or become irritated, which leads to hair thinning and hair loss."
Image via Valentin Agapov/Shutterstock