Our hair can withstand 3.5 ounces of tension and stretch up to 30% more when wet. However, only healthy hair has these superpowers: damaged strands break quite easily. You may not be able to identify the condition of your hair at first glance. But there are simple ways to check and take steps to get it back.
1. Follicle test
To know if your hair is healthy overall and if hair loss is something you don’t need to worry about, first check your roots. Just do this:
- Pluck a section of hair, but make sure to keep it as close to your head as possible so that the roots are still attached to the hair.
- Examine the follicle. The normal root of a strand should be bulb-shaped; so if you observe this, your hair might be healthy. If it is small or not bulb-shaped, your hair is weak and needs care.
How to prevent hair loss:
Follow the Mediterranean diet. One study showed that it reduces the risk of hair loss. This diet is made up of foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish, and whole grains.
Try to avoid foods like red meat, sugary drinks, and processed foods. It is not just for healthy hair but also promotes many other benefits such as supporting blood sugar levels, protecting brain function, and resulting in a healthy heart.
Avoid tight hairstyles such as ponytails, especially while sleeping, as they can cause hair loss.
Take special vitamins and minerals.
2. Tug test
This test aims to check the elasticity of your hair. This can be done with these simple steps:
Basically, it measures the severity of hair loss. If you go to the doctor and decide to have the exam done by a professional, small areas of hair (about 40 strands) will be plucked from different areas of your head. If more than 6 hairs fall out, you have active hair loss. The test will give results on whether you have signs of brittle hair loss.
- Carefully remove a section of hair.
- Gently pull both ends. If it stretches and bounces when you let go, it’s healthy. If it breaks easily, it is quite weak.
How to get your hair elasticity back:
- Air dry. Using heat damages hair elasticity.
- Massage your hair with jojoba oil. Jojoba oil can be used as a moisturizer and you can even add it to conditioner to prevent dryness, breakage, and split ends in your hair. It may also work to eliminate dandruff. It has many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins C and B, which are excellent for nourishing your hair. It can even prevent hair loss and keep it thick.
- Try applying a little honey to your locks. It is an excellent natural conditioner and maintains hair moisture. Honey is very effective for your hair. One study showed that it can even promote hair growth with its ability to restore scalp cells. If you like shiny hair, you can also add natural shine as a moisturizer. So, if you have dull hair, honey is the best option. Honey also contains proteins, which are important for keeping your hair protected from breakage.
3. Porosity test
With this test, you will be able to determine the condition of your hair cuticle to see if it is damaged or not. You need to do the following:
- Hold a section of hair between your index and middle fingers.
- Slide it between your fingers, from top to bottom. If it feels rough and uneven, your hair is damaged. If it feels soft, it is healthy.
How to treat damaged hair:
- Try a keratin treatment. Softens hair, eliminates frizz, and adds shine.
- Limit dyeing, curling, and drying.
- Try rinsing with rice water. Research has shown that it stays in the hair for a while, protecting it from damage. Research also shows that it can be good for keeping your hair color longer, meaning you might not have gray hair for a while.
