Is your hair dry, damaged or both? It's often easy to mistake one for the other as both are similar in many ways. But hair thats been damaged due to chemical treatments and even heat styling require different treatments from dry hair that's been over-washed or exposed to sun damage. As always we at HairMNL believe you deserve the targeted remedies to match those needs. So find out in this article form Living Aveda, how you tell the difference and get the best vegan plant-powered care you deserve.
The differences between damaged hair and dry hair are often very subtle, but they matter. It’s important to take the time to find out exactly what your hair needs and to start incorporating the best products into your routine. At Aveda, they work with a team of scientists and artists who develop a series of tests to help you determine if your hair is in need of repair or hydration.
What causes hair damage?
Many factors contribute to hair damage. Environmental damage can be caused by UV rays and pollution. Heat styling from curling irons and blow-dryers and physical factors (like brushing, styling, detangling and extensions) can also put added stress on strands. Relaxers, perms and other chemical treatments along with hair coloring and bleaching can also cause damage.
You can spot some damage just by looking at your hair and paying attention to how it behaves in different situations. Split ends or broken strands and variations in thickness are signs of hair damage.
Damaged hair also may feel fragile, especially when wet and often reacts to the weather, getting frizzy in humidity or brittle in dry, cold environments.
The elasticity test
Elasticity is how well your hair stretches and returns to its original length. Hair with good elasticity is stronger and more resilient. When hair is damaged, hair elasticity may be compromised, making it weak and prone to breakage.
This test helps determine elasticity and whether or not hair is in need of damage repair.