Do you know the signs of a healthy head of hair? Some believe it’s all in the length. But it’s a little more than that. Here are just a few signs that your hair is healthy and more!
Normal Shedding
The average head sheds roughly 100-200 hair strands A DAY!!! Sometimes, I see people going into a panic when they have a handful of hair after protective styling for days or even weeks. It’s okay people, it’s a part of the normal growth cycle. Only be worried if you are experiencing a bald spot, thinning or excessive shedding. Read this to understand the difference between normal shedding and breakage.
Full Head of Hair
Having the same amount of fullness throughout your whole head is a really great sign. Breakage can happen anywhere on the hair shaft but it is most common at the ends. Healthy hair will have minimal breakage. You will not notice various lengths of hair or frail, straggly ends.
Minimal Breakage
If your bathroom floor is covered with small, broken pieces of hair, you have the complete opposite of minimal hair breakage. During regular maintenance such as gentle combing and shampooing, healthy hair will resist breakage.
If you notice more breakage than normal, strengthen your hair with a regular deep conditioning treatment, Africa’s Best Organic Hair Mayonnaise is actually one of my favorite deep conditioners.
If you already have regularly deep conditioning treatments, but still seeing breakage, your next step is to apply a protein treatment like Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor, Giovanni – Smooth as Silk Xtreme Protein Hair Infusion or Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream.
SEE ALSO: 10 Ways To Stop Breakage
Soft & Shiny Hair
Healthy hair will always appear shiny & feel soft to the touch. Healthy, undamaged hair cuticle will have these characteristics. These are usually characteristics of hair that is thoroughly moisturized, and that has minimal damage along the hair strand.
Without going into a biology lesson, healthy hair has a smooth, flat cuticle that closes to lock in moisture. This keeps moisture from escaping prematurely. Read, 10 Tips for More Moisturized Natural Hair. You can moisturize your hair once every 2-3 days and it will stay moisturized.
Smooth, flat hair cuticle allows light to easier reflect off of the hair strands instead of absorbing it. Shiny hair has a smooth, healthy hair cuticle. Even the kinkiest hair type can and will have a shine if its cuticles are strong and healthy.
Below are some simple things you can do for softer and shinier hair. You can read them in more detail here: 6 More Tips for Softer Natural Hair.
Oil Rinsing: What is it & Why You Should Be Doing Them
Deep Condition Regularly
Don’t Skip Trims
Remove Product Build-up With a Clarifying Shampoo
Retains Moisture
What are some other signs that you know your hair is healthy?
When your curls and coils bounce/snap back I think that’s a healthy sign