How to tell if hair is damaged might not be on a pro’s list of questions to ask yet is a very important one we all must ace in order to have long, healthy manes to be proud of. Potential sources of danger are lurking everywhere these days which, unfortunately, means there are plenty of signs of damaged hair to choose from. The earlier you spot them, the better, of course, and this list of tips on how to spot hair damage could sure come handy:
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
1. It Feels Crunchy
Knowing how to tell if hair is damaged is especially difficult with wavy to moderately curly hair yet it doesn’t mean you should give up trying. Not at all! Simply take a strand of your hair, rub it between your fingers and listen – if you can hear or even feel it crunching, you should definitely consider adding bit of extra nourishment. It’s not a big deal, of course, as all hair “crunches” a little bit but doing this from time to time or comparing the crunch you get by rubbing the hair close to your scalp with the one rubbing your ends produces could help you pinpoint dryer areas and treat them accordingly.
***
Another way to tell if your hair is damaged is by looking at the texture. Damaged hair tends to be rough and dry, with split ends and frizz. It may also appear dull and lack shine. Additionally, damaged hair is more prone to breakage and tangles easily. If you notice these signs in your hair, it's important to take steps to repair and nourish it. Using deep conditioning treatments, avoiding heat styling tools, and using a wide-tooth comb can all help improve the health and appearance of damaged hair.
2. It Stretches like a Gum
Even the healthiest of hairs stretch a bit when wet as I’m sure you know, however, the difference between hair’s normal stretchiness and the super gummy feeling of over-processed hair is so huge you won’t be able to miss it. Having experienced this personally, I can definitely say this is the first sign of hair damage of the worst kind and would advise you not to continue using the product that has such a damaging effect on your hair.
Frequently asked questions
3. It Tangles and Knots like Crazy
Wavy-haired ladies might notice their hair tends to tangle more at the ends while the ones who dye their hair might seem shocked by the way their strands literally knot on their own. No need to hate your hair and this definitely doesn’t mean it’s only purpose is to make your life miserable. In fact, these happen to be signs of damaged hair as well and your hair’s unique way of telling you that you should lay off heat and styling products and pay more attention to your hair care routine.
4. It is Too Porous
Hair’s porosity will increase when it’s damaged, making your hair super-easy to air-dry but feeling quite frizzy and dry. And if you’re hoping to learn how to tell if hair is damaged you should definitely keep your eyes open for this one. Increased porosity also leads to hair absorbing more dye than it should have (which might give you a shade darker than before) but releasing it just as easily, which will cause your gorgeous color to fade at a faster rate.
5. It Splits a Lot
Over-processed, over-dried or, in short, damaged hair splits quite a lot making you want to hit the salon every second or third week. Bi-monthly dusting probably qualifies as Sci-Fi as waiting that long to get the splits trimmed would result in a radical hair style change. Sounds familiar? Well, you’re not alone! Furthermore, the more damaged the hair is the nastier the splits get and we all know bad splits are a fool proof way to spot hair damage – don’t we?
***
Regular trims become a non-negotiable part of your hair care routine when split ends run rampant. It's as if your hair is on a fast-forward to frayed-town, defying all your efforts for smooth, healthy locks. Wait too long, and you could be mistaken for sporting a feathery collection rather than strands. And let's not forget how split ends love to travel up the hair shaft, causing more havoc the longer they're left unattended. The verdict? Keep scissors close, or embrace the accidental boho-chic aesthetic — though unintentionally.
6. It is Frizzier and More Difficult to Manage
Breakage, splits, knots and tangles are all signs of damaged hair a bit of each creating that terrible feeling that goes hand in hand with having hair that refuses to obey. Frizzies and flyaways, which are all closely tied to hair damage, can ruin your mood and hairstyle not to mention that damaged mane can’t hold a style as good as a healthy one which is yet another reason to take better care of your precious tresses.
***
Damaged hair is often unruly, with a texture that has you reaching for the straightener or serums to tame it. Attempting to style it only leads to abundant frustration. The rough cuticles of each hair shaft repel each other, resulting in that dreaded puffy halo effect, especially in humid conditions. This isn't just an aesthetic issue; it's a sign of underlying hair health problems. Overworking your hair in this state with heat and styling products only adds insult to injury, reinforcing the vicious cycle of damage and making the goal of smooth, glossy locks seem like a distant dream.
7. It Acts Weird when Wet
Still wondering how to tell if hair is damaged? Time to get it wet and pay close attention to those tiny details you might have missed or considered normal. Damaged strands stick or clump together when wet which, in some cases, makes it impossible for girls to run their fingers (or even a wide toothed comb) through such tresses. Over-processed wet hair is quite matte and dull-looking too and this is especially noticeable on blonde hair.
***
Additionally, waterlogged strands can become stretchy or gummy, a sign that the hair's protein structure has been compromised. When healthy, hair should have a certain level of elasticity, but it shouldn’t feel like it's losing its shape or texture. If after a shower your locks feel unusually soggy and appear lifeless, this could suggest that the hair’s inner cortex is exposed and damaged, often due to excessive heat styling, chemical treatments, or environmental stress. Take note: hair that remains tangled and unmanageable while wet is crying out for some serious TLC.
8. Breakage is Undeniable
If you wake up in the morning and your pillowcase is covered with tiny bits of hair, you can rest assured your hair is damaged! It sounds cruel but it’s true, I’ve been there myself and, trust me, sugarcoating is the last thing I want to do. Hair has to be quite brittle to snap so easily which means we’re talking about abuse you’ll have to stop doing and start treating if you’re hoping to gain length.
Are there any other tips and clues that could help a girl learn how to tell if hair is damaged? Do share! If there is a way to spot hair damage that I don’t know of, I certainly want to hear everything about it!
Top Image Source: volvoretas.wordpress.com/
Comments
Grow: Nice tips!
Karmina: Healthy hair floats on water surface whereas damaged hair sinks due to open cuticles.
Tiffany: So know i know my hair is damaged how do i fix it?
:
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge