Healthy hair should never feel brittle and dry, but smooth and hydrated. Typically, if you have long hair that means it's growing out healthily, but it is possible to have long, damaged hair if you color it too often. So pay attention to the feel of those locks!
By sliding a strand, or a few, between your thumb and forefinger, you might be able to feel for the health of your hair. A smooth, easy slide, likely means your hair is healthy, while a rough and bumpy feeling means you likely have some damage.
Hair Looks and Feels Dry and Brittle
The first tell-tale sign of hair damage Opens in a new tab is usually that dry and brittle feeling. It's lacking in natural shine, it's permanently parched, and it's more difficult to style as a result.
However, just because your hair feels soft doesn't actually mean that it is healthy. In addition to being soft, your hair should be strong and shiny as well to signify that it's in good condition. Soft hair is usually well moisturised with good elasticity, both of which are signs that hair is in good health.
If the hair stretches and then returns to its original length, it's healthy! (Nice). If it stretches but doesn't return it's dry. If your hair doesn't stretch, or it stretches a bit and then breaks, your hair is damaged.
Damaged natural hair is first and foremost characterized by its dryness and frizz. This can present itself in the form of split ends, where your strand splits into many pieces, or an overall dull look to your hair. It might also have a more irregular texture and less defined curls.
Hair does not contain nerve endings. However, hair follicles, which are located in the dermis, are surrounded by touch receptors. That's why you can feel it if someone or something touches your hair. If it's a friend stroking your ponytail, you'll be pleased.
It can be normal to see your scalp through your hair, particularly if you have naturally fine or light-colored hair. Hair density, color, and thickness all play a role in how visible the scalp is.
Changes in your hair could indicate nutrition and health issues. A dry scalp or hair could mean you aren't getting enough healthy fats in your diet. Likewise, thinning hair could mean your diet lacks protein.
Take a strand of hair between two fingers and gently pull at either end. Healthy, undamaged hair will stretch to one-third of its original length. If your hair snaps, it could be suffering from protein damage.
A good test to see if your hair is healthy or not would be to place a few strands of it into a bowl of water. I know, it sounds strange, but it works! If your hair is healthy, it will float, indicating that the cuticles are closed and will not easily absorb water.
One of the easiest ways to check if your hair is weak is to gently pull out a hair strand and pull it at both ends. If the hair breaks easily, it is considered weak. Another way is to wrap some hair strands around your finger and examine for lifted ends. Too many lifted ends imply weak and damaged hair.
If it dries straight without a bend or curl, then you have straight hair (or type 1 hair as it is commonly referred to). If it dries with a slight curve or “S” shape, then it's considered wavy hair (type 2). If your hair dries with a defined curl or loop pattern, you have one of two curl types.
If your hair is slightly damaged, it is usually dry with less shine, the colour is duller and have a thinner hair ends. If the situation becomes more serious, it will have a rougher texture and a dull appearance, the colour balance is more uneven and a more serious split ends.
If your tresses are feeling brittle or rough, chances are it's due to some combination of damage, dryness and harsh products. In many cases, softer curlier hair can be achieved by making a few small tweaks to your curly hair regimen. The important thing is to listen to your curls!
Limp, gummy, or mushy hair — If your hair feels limp, gummy, or mushy when wet, then that is a strong indication that your hair is over-moisturized. If you think you may be experiencing hygral fatigue, it's always best to immediately seek help from a hair care professional.
Over-moisturised hair ('hygral fatigue') will feel very soft, lack definition and may experience a lot of wet frizz. This will then translate into soft, mushy frizz when hair is dry. Tip: Before deciding whether your frizz is due to a lack of protein, ensure your hair is properly hydrated.
Pick up a couple strands of your hair and run your fingers through it from root to tip. If it feels rough, that is a sign of dryness and possible damage. Do this test the day after washing your hair, as dryness can also be an indication of product buildup.