Our hair can be categorized in three different ways:
Healthy
Dry
Damaged
Characteristics of Healthy Hair
Smooth texture and feel
Shiny
Hair loss is 75–100 strands per day
Hair loss consists of entire hair strands (contains bulb)
Holds curl well
Relatively easy to comb while wet
Good elasticity (hair strand stretches when pulled)
Healthy scalp
No breakage
Minimal split ends
Characteristics of Dry or Stressed Hair
Hair loss is 75–100+ per day
Hair is dry to the touch but responds well to moisture
May have some scalp problems
Dull appearance
Itchy scalp
Loses curl easily
May be frizzy
Hair has poor elasticity (does not stretch before breaking)
Breakage (hair strands are short)
Split ends
Characteristics of Damaged Hair
Dull
Dry
Coarse
Frequent use of oil does not help retain moisture and/or the effects do not last long
Tangles easily, difficult to comb while wet
Frizzy
Breakage is severe in spots
Visible split ends
Scalp may be unhealthy
May have excessive dandruff
Nicole Elizabeth Smith, the author of "Healthy Black Hair" (2003), is a freelance health and beauty writer and a graduate of Michigan State University. She and her son Zack live in Michigan. Currently, she is beauty editor for www.myhairbook.com.
nicole@myhairbook.com