Damaged Hair and Common Hair Conditions

Here’s a list of Common Hair Conditions that many of us face

1. Ringed Hair

Ringed hair is a variety of Canities i.e. (Greying of Hair), characterized by alternating bands of gray and pigmented hair throughout the length of the hair strand. Once the hair has lost its colour the only way to get it back is to colour it using chemical or herbal dyes, One can also try Natural Gradual dying methods.

2. Hypertrichosis (hi-pur-trih-KOH-sis) or Hirsuties (hur-SOO-shee-eez)

Hypertrichosis is a condition of abnormal growth of hair. It is characterized by the growth of thicker hair in areas of the body that normally grows very thin n soft hair. A mustache or light beard on women are examples of hypertrichosis, this usually occurs due to Hormonal imbalances.

3. Trichoptilosis (trih-kahp-tih-LOH-sus)

Trichoptilosis is the technical term for split ends. Treatments include hair conditioning to soften and lubricate dry ends or split ends may also be removed by cutting.

4. Trichorrhexis Nodosa (trik-uh-REK-sis nuh-DOH-suh)

Trichorrhexis nodosa, or knotted hair, is characterized by brittleness and the formation of nodular swellings along the hair shaft. The hair breaks easily, and the broken fibers spread out like a brush along the hair shaft.

5. Monilethrix (mah-NIL-ee-thriks)

Monilethrix is the technical term for beaded hair, hair breaks easily between the beads or nodes.

6. Fragilitas Crinium (fruh-JIL-ih-tus KRI-nee-um)

Fragilitas crinium is the technical term for brittle hair. The hairs may split at any part of their length. Often leads to thinning of hair in irregular patterns.

How to Tell If Your Hair Is Damaged?

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Healthy hair is naturally elastic and can stretch up to 30% percent of their length and then spring back, they also have the ability to absorb and hold moisture up to 50% of its weight.

Test for elasticity

Take a strand of your hair and stretch it, if it breaks immediately then your hair has poor elasticity. If it stretches and doesn’t break and returns to normal length after being stretched then it is healthy in terms of elasticity.

Test for Porosity

Take a strand of your hair and drop it in a bowl of water, if it sinks within 5 seconds your hair is overly porous and very fragile and should be conditioned well.

How To Restore Damaged Hair?

Restoring damaged hair is one of those things that sounds easy but is tough to do. Going Au natural can mean disaster for a lot of us ladies, and we often use heat styling tools and top it up with damaging hair styles. So what can we do to restore the health of our damaged hair?

Well, here’s what:

Consume a Balanced Diet and if you don’t then get a Multi-vitamin supplement that isn’t just biotin but a complete multi-vitamin from your doctor. Why? Because just biotin wont solve all your hair problems if you body isnt completely healthy it WILL take a toll on your hair and skin. If your body in internally healthy it will show on the outside.
Use a Mild Shampoo, how to choose a mild shampoo? Read Here . Only use a harsh clarifying shampoo if you notice a lot of build up in your hair. Which you probably will if you use a lot of silicone based products. Want to know more about Silicones? Read Silicones Decoded.
Condition your hair. Whatever problem you face when it comes to hair I guarantee you conditioning will solve it. You may use Herbal rinses, herbal conditioners and and even commercial conditioners but those are my last choice since they have loads of silicones which do not really condition the hair just coats them to make them feel softer. Personally I like to “Oil” my hair 60 minutes prior to shampooing them, I use coconut Oil and you may also use Olive Oil, make sure you give yourself at least a 10 minute scalp massage. You can also try herbal hair masks. I really like the Coconut Milk Hair Mask.
Protect Your hair, wear a protective hair style like a braid or a top bun to bed. Try as much as you can to stay away from too many heat tools and if you use them then don’t forget to use a heat protectant which is loaded with chemicals but you need it to save your hair from the heat. Don’t skip it please. Also try to limit using hairstyles that require you to backcomb your hair, that really messes with the cuticle of your hair and makes it rough and damaged.

Love,