Is Your Hair Looking Unhealthy? Follow These Signs to See if Your Hair is in Tip-Top Shape!
Are you done with having lifeless and lackluster hair that always breaks and gets split ends? Are you ready to find out how to tell if your hair is healthy and what to do about it? Look no further! In this article, we’ll dive into the signs of unhealthy hair, how you can determine if your tresses are in good shape, and the causes of unruly locks. Plus, strategies for effectively improving the health of your hair – whether it be dry, damaged, or brittle.
The Signs of Unhealthy Hair
There are some telltale signs that your hair is erring on the unhealthy side. Let's take a closer look at some of these factors.
Dryness
When your hair lacks moisture and nourishment, it becomes brittle and prone to breakage. This can be caused by harsh chemical treatments, heat styling, over-washing, or exposure to environmental stressors such as sun, wind, and pollution.
Breakage
Breakage is a telltale sign that your mane isn't in top shape, whether it's from brushing, styling, or just running your fingers through it. It's time to show your tresses some serious love and attention!
Dullness
Dull hair can be a tell-tale sign that your mane needs some TLC! It's often the result of nutrient deficiencies, excessive heat or chemical treatments, or simply that you haven't pampered your tresses lately.
Excessive oiliness or greasiness
Do you find your hair to be overly oily or greasy? If your answer is a resounding 'yes', then it's likely a sign that your sebum gland is overactive or that you don't know the right techniques for proper hair care. Oily and greasy hair usually looks dull and lifeless and can often feel heavy – making it difficult to style.
Split ends
Split ends are an undeniable warning that your hair needs some TLC – and fast! Those tell-tale signs of split ends can be tricky to spot, but they often require immediate attention in the form of a regular trim.
Flaky scalp
Are you fed up with a flaky scalp that leaves your hair dull, lifeless, and prone to breakage? If so, you may suffer from dandruff – or another scalp condition causing unwanted flakes. This common issue can cause discomfort or embarrassment and damage your confidence.
Causes of Unhealthy Hair
Heat damage
Styling tools can be your hair’s best friend, but if used improperly or too often, they can cause a lot of damage. Heated styling tools such as curling irons and blow dryers strip away the natural oils that keep our hair healthy and hydrated. Overusing these tools can lead to split ends and breakage.
Chemical damage
Chemical treatments are anything but kind to our hair! From coloring to perming, these processes can leave our locks dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. When hair is exposed to chemicals, the cuticles that protect the strands become raised and damaged. As a result, moisture escapes from the hair at an accelerated rate, leaving it parched and vulnerable.
Nutritional deficiencies
Poor nutrition can have a dramatic impact on the health of your hair. When you don't consume enough of the essential vitamins and minerals, it can cause your locks to become lackluster and prone to breakage.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal shifts can have a massive effect on the health of your hair. During pregnancy, for example, hormone levels increase, which can lead to changes in hair growth and texture; you may find that your mane becomes thicker, coarser, or even more curly than usual.
Similarly, menopause is associated with an imbalance in female hormones – often resulting in thinning and dryness of the hair. Hypothyroidism can also cause breakage since it affects the follicles’ ability to absorb essential nutrients for healthy strands.
Over-styling
Are you guilty of over-styling your hair? Heat tools, tight braids, and hair treatments can all cause major damage, leaving your locks dry, brittle, and at risk of breakage. While it may seem like a good idea to spruce up your look with these styling methods, in the long run, it can detrimentally affect the health of your hair.
Medical conditions
From dryness to brittleness, certain medical conditions can wreak havoc on your hair. Autoimmune disorders like lupus, and fungal infections such as ringworm, tinea capitis, and alopecia are known culprits causing hair damage.
How to Tell if Your Hair is Healthy
Physical examination
Are you curious if your hair is in tip-top condition? Let's find out! An easy way to check the health of your tresses is to take a closer look. Healthy hair should be strong and bouncy, with a glossy sheen. It should stretch and spring back into place as soon as you release it, proving that it's elastic enough.
Conduct a strand test
Needing a little TLC? Put your hair through the wringer with a simple and easy strand test. You must gently pull a single strand of hair between your thumb and forefinger and watch the results unfold. If you’re blessed with healthy locks, they should be able to stretch up to 30% before snapping - the tell-tale sign of damage. If your hair fails this test, it's time to show it some love!
Check your hair's elasticity
Testing the bounciness of your mane is an important part of assessing its overall health and can clue you into the care it needs. The best way to do this is by tugging on a single strand of hair with your thumb and forefinger and then releasing it. You're good to go if the hair easily snaps back into place! But if there's any resistance or reluctance for the strand to return to its original state, this is usually indicative of damage or breakage.
How to Improve the Health of Your Hair
Using the Right Hair Care Products
Say goodbye to unhealthy hair with ELUXE haircare products!
Our formula contains microscopic carbonic bubbles that create a luxurious lather, gently cleansing your hair and restoring it back to its perfectly healthy state. Not only does this nourishing blend of natural ingredients, such as rosemary and lavender, leave your locks feeling softer than ever before - it is also clinically proven to promote hair growth and reduce frizziness. With the power of seven active ingredients working together in harmony, you'll be amazed by how quickly your hair transforms into something truly special.
In only five minutes a day, ELUXE will give you the lush, voluminous hair of your dreams. The combination of these powerhouse ingredients works together to add extra body and shine while protecting against environmental damage. With regular use and proper care, you can say goodbye to split ends, dryness, and breakage for good!
Following a Healthy Diet
Transform your diet and transform your hair! Eating right is key to healthy, luscious locks. Vitamins A, C, and E are great for supporting strong and healthy hair growth - they provide nourishment that helps to stimulate the scalp. Foods rich in biotin, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids are also excellent sources of nourishment for your hair follicles, as these nutrients help to reduce breakage and strengthen strands.
Limiting Heat and Chemical Damage
Are your everyday hair styling habits causing serious damage to your locks? Heat and chemical damage can majorly cause unhealthy hair, so it's important to take steps to protect them. Limit your use of heat styling tools such as blow dryers and flat irons – if you must use them, be sure to apply a heat-protectant product before styling. Chemical treatments like hair coloring or relaxers should also be used sparingly as they can damage the hair over time.
Managing Stress
Stress can have a detrimental effect on your hair's health and vitality, but powerful tools are available to help you reduce it. Meditation and yoga are two of the most popular and effective ways to combat stress levels. They promote healthy circulation in the scalp, leading to increased growth potential. Self-care is also a key component when it comes to reducing stress. Make time for yourself!
Getting Regular Trims
No matter what kind of hair you have, regular trims are essential for maintaining its health. It's important to keep up with regular trims to ensure that your hair stays healthy and looking its best. Generally, a trim every 6-8 weeks is recommended to maintain the health of your hair; however, this depends on the type of hair you have as well as the advice of your stylist.
In a Nutshell
No more bad hair days! With the right guidance and products, it's easy to maintain healthy, beautiful hair. ELUXE offers a range of top-notch hair care products to help you keep your locks looking their best. From shampoos and conditioners to leave-in treatments and masks, they have everything you need to restore and revive your mane.
