Strong healthy hair looks vibrant bouncy and shiny. With gorgeous hair it is amazing how many people will take notice. Both men and women will compliment you.
A good yin yang sort of balance is needed to achieve strong healthy hair. Because the secret to achieving healthy looking hair is all down to your hair’s moisture protein balance.
Think of it this way. When your body is out of balance it is not healthy and gets sick.
And the same happens to your hair when the moisture protein balance is incorrect.
Strong Healthy Hair Needs A Good Protein Moisture Balance.
Yes a clean scalp is essential for having healthy hair but don’t forget it also needs feeding.
Your hair needs both protein which is known as keratin and moisture to have a strong, healthy, and shiny look.
Because the bonds that form your hair structure and keep it strong are made up of protein. But those protein bonds also need moisture to hydrate them.
Both protein and moisture together contribute to the overall feel and look of your hair.
A balanced ratio for stronger healthy hair should be roughly 85% protein and 15% moisture.
Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all when it comes to a healthy hair balance.
Healthy Hair Balance Varies Depending On These Hair Properties.
Each head of hair is unique to that individual person due to the factors listed below.
Therefore it is up to each person to find out whether their hair needs more moisture or more protein. To achieve a healthy head of hair.
Hair Density.
Type. Fine, Medium, or Thick.
Hair density refers to the amount of hair that you have on your head
Hair Texture.
Type. Very Course, Course, Normal, Fine and Very Fine.
Your hairs texture refers to the diameter of each of your individual hair’s strand. The more layers of cuticle (outside layers of the hair) your hair has. The courser your hair is.
Hair Porosity.
Type. Porous or Resistant.
Unlike the previous factors this is a condition that you can change to achieve strong healthy hair.
Often the words dry, damaged or brittle are used to describe hair that is very porous.
When talking about porosity I mean the ability of your hair to absorb moisture regardless of whether your hair is fine, medium, or coarse.
The State Of Your Hairs Outside Cuticle Determines It’s Porosity.
Resistant Hair.
If your hairs cuticle is tightly closed it means that your hair is resistant to absorbing moisture.
You can find that when washing your hair you need a few seconds under the shower for your hair to get wet.
Hair that has never been chemically treated or has many layers of cuticle generally fall under the resistant hair category.
Porous Hair.
Whereas if you chemically treat your hair you can find that it is very porous. And gets wet instantly once under the shower.
If your hair is porous it means that your hair can absorb a lot of moisture.
But because your hairs cuticle scales are wide open.
Unfortunately for your hair. The moisture that is absorbed will also very easily evaporate.
Which in turn can lead to frizzy strands.
Strong Healthy Hair Try The Elasticity Test.
The elasticity test is a quick test you can easily do to check the health of your hair. Which I recommend you do occasionally.
As it is a very simple way to give you an idea on your hairs protein moisture balance. You can see what is lacking and what is needed for you to attain strong healthy hair.
What Is Hair Elasticity?
Your hairs elasticity is the ability of your hair to stretch and return to its original condition without breaking.
When your hair is wet it can stretch up to about one quarter of its original length.
Good elasticity = strong healthy hair.
How To Test Your Hair Strand.
After washing and conditioning your hair you can look and generally find a hair that was shed during this process.
Hold both ends of the hair and lightly tug one end.
Test result 1. If your hair hardly stretches and then snaps or feels brittle and damaged. Your hair needs more moisture.
Test result 2. If the hair stretches a reasonable amount and does not return or breaks. Or feels a little mushy in your fingers then a protein boost is needed.
Test result 3. When your hair test stretches and then returns to normal without breaking. You can congratulate yourself as your hair has a balanced protein moisture mix.
Why Protein For Healthy Hair.
Protein is what your hair nails and skin are mostly made up of commonly referred to as keratin.
And yes if you have a well-balanced diet that includes a mix of these good proteins for your hair. It will help with your hair growth.
But with constant heat styling, chemical treatments, and exposure to the atmosphere hair can become weak and easily break. Whilst at the same time appear to have no reflect and look dull.
When this happens a protein dose can add strength and shine. Because it will help to fill in the gaps in the outside or cuticle layer of your hair. Which in turn helps to reduce your hairs moisture loss.
When Your Hair Needs A Protein Boost To Be Strong & Healthy.
Your hair needs a protein boost if it is porous or over processed.
You may have been using hair conditioning masks for a while and yet still find that your hair is dry.
At this point you need to introduce a protein treatment into your hair care regime. As this will help to fill in the gaps in your hair cuticle through which the moisture is leaking out.
Applying a protein treatment once a month in between your moisture treatments. You should find sufficient to bring your hair back to a strong healthy state.
When Buying A Protein Treatment.
When looking to buy a protein treatment for your hair. Scan the shelves and look for products labelled damaged hair.
Then check the ingredients list and check for.
Amino acids – such as Histidine, Leucine, and Cysteine.
Hydrolyzed proteins – such as Wheat Protein, Silk protein, and Soy protein.
Why Moisture Is Needed For Strong Healthy Hair.
Moisture is needed for hydration which gives your hair elasticity and flexibility.
Your body has a natural way of producing moisture for your hair in the form of sebum a natural fatty acid. Which lubricates the hair and skin.
Unfortunately as we slowly age so the body slows down in its production of sebum. Meaning that your hair is getting less and less natural moisture.
On top of this are many things that deplete your hairs moisture ranging from
The environment – sun, salt water, chlorine.
Heated styling tools – high temperatures make the moisture evaporate.
Chemical treatments – perms, relaxer, bleach.
When Your Hair Needs A Moisture Treatment.
I recommend that everybody should apply a moisture treatment to their hair. Just as you would use a moisturizing treatment on your face.
How often once again will depend on your individual hair type.
When looking at the ingredients list of a moisturizing treatment. Natural ingredients should be near the top of the list.
Ingredients such as Coconut oil, Almond oil, Avocado oil, Argan oil or Shea butter.
Conclusion.
When your hair is in a healthy state it will not break easily or suffer from split ends as frequently.
Knowing which type of treatment to feed your hair with is essential. Because applying to much of the wrong type of hair treatment to your hair can do it more harm than good.
To achieve strong healthy hair that is bouncy and vibrant for most of us takes a little effort.
Today most women will use some form of chemical treatment on their hair.
Or spend some days in the sun or in the swimming pool.
All these elements can constantly change what your hair needs in respect of more protein or more moisture. For your hair to have that good protein moisture balance that gives your hair great elasticity.
Just taking a couple of seconds every so often to carry out the elasticity test. Will help you to decide which type of hair treatment you need to purchase when you are next shopping for hair products.
The secret to strong healthy hair is your hairs elasticity.
PS. You may find taming hair frizz the ultimate guide of interest too.
Thank you for spending the time to read my post. I hope that you found it helpful.
