What Condition Is Your Hair In?
By Nicole Elizabeth Smith
Our hair can be categorized in three different ways:
Characteristics of Healthy Hair
- Smooth texture and feel
- Shiny
- Hair loss is 75–100 strands per day
- Hair loss consists of entire hair strands (contains bulb)
- Holds curl well
- Relatively easy to comb while wet
- Good elasticity (hair strand stretches when pulled)
- Healthy scalp
- No breakage
- Minimal split ends
Characteristics of Dry or Stressed Hair
- Hair loss is 75–100+ per day
- Hair is dry to the touch but responds well to moisture
- May have some scalp problems
- Dull appearance
- Itchy scalp
- Loses curl easily
- May be frizzy
- Hair has poor elasticity (does not stretch before breaking)
- Breakage (hair strands are short)
- Split ends
Characteristics of Damaged Hair
- Dull
- Dry
- Coarse
- Frequent use of oil does not help retain moisture and/or the effects
do not last long
- Tangles easily, difficult to comb while wet
- Frizzy
- Breakage is severe in spots
- Visible split ends
- Scalp may be unhealthy
- May have excessive dandruff
About The Author: Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of "Healthy
Black Hair" (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and
a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in
Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.
nicole@myhairbook.com
