When you have healthy hair, you feel good about yourself. Similarly, damaged and dull hair can hinder your confidence, and it can increase stress which drains your energy and ruins your day. People are usually unaware of what healthy hair should feel like. Here, we discuss damaged hair vs healthy hair and how to tell the difference.
Damaged Hair vs Healthy Hair – Test Your Hair Health
Testing and finding your hair health is not a difficult task. You can easily test whether you have healthy hair or damaged hair. Following are a few hair health tests that can indicate the health of your hair;
1. Stretch Test
This is one of the easiest methods to check your hair health. Take a strand of your hair and use both hands to grip it from both sides. Pull gently and try to stretch. See if your hair stretches to one-third of its length. If it does, it means your hair is elastic and healthy. Healthy hair has elasticity in it and increases one-third of their length when stretched. However, they always come back to their original shape. If they don’t, it is an indication that your hair is dry and potentially damaged vs healthy.
2. Touch and Feel
You need to observe carefully when performing this test yourself. Grab two or three strands of your hair with your thumb and index finger. Run the strands between these two fingers at least three times and try to feel the texture of your hair. You can clearly feel whether your hair is smooth or damaged or broken at some points. If you feel damage on your hair strands, you need to treat them. You should repeat this procedure at least three times choosing different hair strands.
3. Water Test
The water test is performed to see how porous your hair is. Healthy hair is less porous and does not absorb water quickly, whereas damaged hair absorbs water quickly. All you need to do is to pluck one of your hair strands and put it in a glass of water. See how much time it takes to sink and find out the health of your hair. If your hair sinks readily, then it means it is highly porous and damaged. However, if your hair keeps floating, then it means your hair is healthy.
4. Gloss Test
You should preferably perform this test in daylight. Carefully watch your hair if they reflect a little bit of light. They will look shinier while reflecting light. This is a sign of healthy hair. On the other hand, coarse, dull, and dry hair will not shine at all. Matte and limp hair indicates that your hair is unhealthy and may need deep conditioning. We recommend the Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner By Arvazallia for dry or damaged hair.
5. Snap Test
It is an updated version of the stretch test. All you need to do is to stretch your hair gently until it snaps. If your hair feels elastic and stretches before snapping, it means your hair is healthy. If your hair snaps as soon as you start stretching, it is an indication that your hair is unhealthy. It also indicates that your hair lacks protein. If your hair lacks protein, try the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment.
6. Smoothness Test
This smoothness test needs to be done after showering. Let your hair air dry after taking shower. Perform this test before styling or using any tools on your hair. Grab your hair in your hand and slide your hand down. Your grip should not be tight. Healthy hair does feel dry after showering. If you feel your hair is a little bit dry, your hair is healthy. If you feel your hair is extremely rough and coarse, it means you might need deep conditioning.
7. Follicle Test
This test helps you in checking the health of your hair follicles. All you have to do is to grab one hair at close proximity to your scalp and try to pluck it gently. Your purpose is to take hair out with the follicle. Once you pluck your hair correctly, you need to examine your hair. If your follicle is bulb-shaped, it means it is healthy. If it is not bulb-shaped, it means your hair is more prone to breakage.
Take Care of Your Hair
It is very important to keep checking your hair health from time to time and adopt practices that do not affect your hair health. Using chemical-free hair products and subjecting your hair to heating tools less often can help revive damaged hair.
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