diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 91a1594..e5d7d01 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 'use strict';
 
-module.exports = () => {
+const defaultOptions = {
+	onlyFirst: false
+};
+
+module.exports = options => {
+	options = Object.assign({}, defaultOptions, options);
+
 	const pattern = [
 		'[\\u001B\\u009B][[\\]()#;?]*(?:(?:(?:[a-zA-Z\\d]*(?:;[a-zA-Z\\d]*)*)?\\u0007)',
 		'(?:(?:\\d{1,4}(?:;\\d{0,4})*)?[\\dA-PR-TZcf-ntqry=><~]))'
 	].join('|');
 
-	return new RegExp(pattern, 'g');
+	return new RegExp(pattern, options.onlyFirst ? undefined : 'g');
 };
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 22db1c3..353248e 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -23,9 +23,28 @@ ansiRegex().test('cake');
 
 '\u001B[4mcake\u001B[0m'.match(ansiRegex());
 //=> ['\u001B[4m', '\u001B[0m']
+
+'\u001B[4mcake\u001B[0m'.match(ansiRegex({onlyFirst: true}));
+//=> ['\u001B[4m']
 ```
 
 
+## API
+
+### ansiRegex([options])
+
+Returns a regex for matching ANSI escape codes.
+
+#### options
+
+##### onlyFirst
+
+Type: `boolean`<br>
+Default: `false` *(Matches any ANSI escape codes in a string)*
+
+Match only the first one.<br>
+
+
 ## FAQ
 
 ### Why do you test for codes not in the ECMA 48 standard?
diff --git a/test.js b/test.js
index 270b1a8..cd25205 100644
--- a/test.js
+++ b/test.js
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ test('match clear screen in a string', t => {
 	t.is('foo\u001B[2Jbar'.match(m())[0], '\u001B[2J');
 });
 
+test('match only first', t => {
+	t.is('foo\u001B[4mcake\u001B[0m'.match(m({onlyFirst: true})).length, 1);
+});
+
 test.failing('match "change icon name and window title" in string', t => {
 	t.is('\u001B]0;sg@tota:~/git/\u0007\u001B[01;32m[sg@tota\u001B[01;37m misc-tests\u001B[01;32m]$'.match(m())[0], '\u001B]0;sg@tota:~/git/\u0007');
 });