Many women like to have healthy and shiny hair. Unfortunately, hair can be easily damaged due to various causes, including using styling tools, hard water, exposure to UV light, and many more. The good news is that you can repair damaged hair, especially if you catch it early. As such, experts recommend knowing the telltale signs of damaged hair so you can treat and repair it before it gets worse.
Dull Hair
Dull hair is a common sign of damaged hair. As you know, your hair’s cuticles make your tresses look shiny. When the cuticles are compromised, it can make your strands look flat.
Aside from that, dryness can also make your hair look dull. The reason is that your strands can’t retain enough moisture. As a result, your hair isn’t as shiny as it should be.
The same goes for dyed hair. You can detect if your strands are damaged if they can’t retain the color you like. Also, your hair color fades quickly because damaged strands can’t hold the dye as long as healthy hair.
Lacks Elasticity
One of the most common telltale signs of damaged hair is when it lacks elasticity. This sign is usually seen on dyed hair. The reason is that the coloring process opens and closes that hair’s cuticles. As a result, the hair becomes brittle and weak. Unfortunately, your hair can be severely damaged if you dye it often.
You can tell if your strands are extremely damaged by doing an elasticity test. You can do this by gently pulling your strands with your fingers. If they stretched for about 30%, then they are healthy. However, your strands are severely damaged if they stretch more or break off. At this stage, your best option is to cut your damaged strands.
Split Ends
Split ends are another common sign of damaged hair. As its name implies, it is when the ends of your hair split due to various causes, including chemical irritation, heat exposure, and dryness. Additionally, split ends can also be a result of using abrasive hair ties, brushes with firm fibers, and hair dryers.
There are different kinds of split ends. The first one is the “Y-shaped version.” With this type, your strands are not yet severely damaged, and you can still repair them by using a hair mask. The other types are fork or tree splits. With these versions, you may need to visit a salon to get your hair trimmed because your strands are already extremely damaged.
Final Thoughts
All in all, these are the most common telltale signs of damaged hair. Keep in mind that you can still repair your damaged strands as long as the damage is not severe. You can do this by applying a hair mask at least once a week. Another great tip is to limit your use of heat-styling tools. Lastly, you can also get regular trims. Remember, your hair can grow healthy and avoid split ends by getting a trim every four or six weeks.
