Elasticity
Healthy hair is elastic and does not break when stretched. Wet hair can stretch 30% of its original length without damage.
To test hair elasticity, hold a strand of hair between your fingers. Gently pull the strand. If the hair does not return to its original shape and breaks, the hair is lacking moisture.
You can improve hair elasticity naturally by increasing the amount of protein in your diet.
Porosity
Hair strands can hold moisture. The hair cuticle is porous enough to absorb and retain moisture to keep hair healthy and shiny. Low porosity hair has difficulty absorbing moisture, affecting the shine, texture, and strength of the hair.
Lack of moisture causes hair to become frizzy, brittle, break and fall out.
Uniform thickness
A healthy hair strand has uniform thickness and texture from root to tip. This indicates an even and complete distribution of hair proteins throughout the entire length of the hair strand.
Damaged, over-styled, or weathered hair can show a loss of volume. The ends can appear dull, brittle, and weak. They may split and become unmanageable.
Hair loss
Excessive hair loss indicates poor hair health. In some cases, hair loss can indicate hormonal problems or an underlying medical condition. Therefore, if you are losing hair at an unusual rate, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Scalp health
Scalp health is also related to hair health as it is related to the nutrition of hair follicles. Scalp problems such as dandruff, scales, blisters, ulcers hinder hair growth. Sore hair roots and sensitive scalp can lead to severe hair loss and baldness.
