Healthy Hair is More Than Growth

There’s a common belief that if you have inches than your hair is automatically healthy, my friends this is false. Healthy hair is more than the growth that you see. You can have Pocahontas length with breakage or a TWA (Teeny weeny afro) and it’s in the healthiest state your hair has ever been. Healthy hair is not measured by the length but the quality of your hair. I mean who doesn’t love growth, but it’s important that the length we get is healthy. The health of your hair starts with the roots and this is a reflection of your overall health. When you have a healthy scalp it leads to length, thickness and improvement in texture. So to be clear what are some more signs of healthy hair?

Here are a few signs other than growth that let you know your hair is on the right path to a healthy state:

Easily detangles

When detangling your hair, it’s always best to detangle with your fingers. Detangling with your fingers can help you see if your hair is tangled or if it has knots. If your fingers can run  through your hair with ease then you’re on a good track. The second option would be a boar bristle brush, but before buying one you want to know which one is best for your hair type. Always make sure to detangle your hair in small sections. 

Dandruff free and flake free

Another great determination is having a dandruff and flake free scalp. Though dandruff can be a sign of an underlying skin problem, here are some other causes of dandruff or flakes: dry skin, irritated, oily skin, malassezia (yeastlike fungus), sensitivity to hair products (contact dermatitis), stress, not shampooing enough and lack of good hygiene. 

A white healthy scalp, not oily or dry

Check on your scalp! Finding a balance between oily and dry is key. You have to really learn your hair all  the way down to the roots. What’s that scalp looking like? Is it red, itchy, oily or dry? Once you become mindful of the condition of your scalp this will help you find the root to the problem literally. 

Your hair is smooth

When it comes to how the hair feels to the touch you want it to be soft and smooth.  If your hair feels dry and brittle this could be a sign of damage. Whether it be damage from heat, protective styling or overwashing. Take a step back and figure out what areas you can improve in your hair regime.  

Your hair retains moisture easily

How well your hair retains moisture depends on the porosity level of your hair. People with low porosity find it hard to retain moisture, while those with high porosity can absorb moisture easily but may not retain the moisture well. A good balance between the two is always good, because your hair absorbs and retains the moisture you need! 

You have little shedding

Some completely freak out when washing their hair and seeing your hair’s shedding but it’s normal to shed. The question we have to ask is how much shedding is too much shedding. We lose between 50 to 100 everyday which is normal but if you’re losing more than 100 then this could be a sign of a larger issue. Now, if you’re wearing your hair in a natural state like an afro or protective style, it’s ordinary for your shedding to be a bit more than 100 strands because the strands have nowhere to fall in these styles. If you’re not taking care of your hair properly while wearing it in its natural state it can cause it to tangle more in the shedding process. 

Your hair has a shine

If your hair has a gloss and looks full of life then this is another sure sign of healthy hair. Shiny hair is usually a sign of moisture, which plays a big part in your hair’s health. Product buildup, heat damage and chemicals can cause your hair to lose its shine and appear dull. Taking the time to do a hair masque or deep treatment can help to add the shine back into your hair, as well as using products that are rich in moisture. 

Less breakage

The goal is to see no breakage at all but seeing less breakage is a sign that you’re on the right track. When your strands are long with white tips, you know it’s normal shedding coming straight from the roots. If you're seeing short strands with no tips this is a definite sign of breakage. 

Your hair has elasticity

When your hair easily returns to its natural state without breakage after being stretched then it has good elasticity. It also will let you know whether or not your hair responds well to moisture. The elasticity of the hair will be greater when your hair is wet versus your hair being dry, but you’ll see the true state of elasticity when dry.

What have we learned today? That growth isn’t the only sign of healthy hair and all growth isn’t good growth. See through strands is a sign of unhealthy strands.

When your hair starts growing back healthy, you’re first going to see it transform in volume and texture. Thicker hair, less shedding, more shine and a healthier scalp are all signs of healthy hair.

Remember ladies good hair is healthy hair, and we all can have good hair.

There’s beauty in every curl and kink of you!