7 Ways to Tell if You Have Healthy Natural Hair

Whether you have twists, braids, curls, or waves in your hair, there are ways to keep your tresses looking healthy without sacrificing style. From washing and deep conditioning to avoiding heat and product buildup, it is possible to maintain gorgeous hair without using harmful chemicals on it. Here are the top 7 ways to tell if you have healthy natural hair.

1. Your hair retains moisture

Hydration is a critical way to ascertain the health of your hair. Without adequate moisture, your hair can become very dull and dry looking. It may even break off. If your hair can hold moisture, it's a sign that your hair is healthy. This means that your hair cuticle can lay smoothly and lock in moisture and the nourishing ingredients you have applied to your hair.

2. Your hair has a smooth texture

Always pay attention to the feel of your locks. A notable sign of healthy hair is smooth when you run your fingers through it from head to end. If you're unable to do this, there's a good chance that your hair is in top condition. When hair health deteriorates, hair becomes dry and brittle, characterized by the tangled mess your fingers experience when you run your fingers through it.

3. Your hair sheds minimally

Be it on your pillow or in your brush or comb; it is important to consider how much hair you're shedding. We all shed hair daily, but the volume of shedding is an indicator of the state of your health. The average person sheds roughly 80 hair strands daily, so if you see only a small handful of strands daily, you're on the right track!

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4. Your hair is shiny

This is a no-brainer. You're probably aware that dullness is one of the most visible signs of damaged hair. Natural hair should have some shine without being drenched in oil. That shiny and sought-after look results from your hair cuticles lying flat as they should and allowing light to bounce off of them.

5. Your hair has no dandruff

Dandruff is bad news for hair health. The condition is characterized by a flaky scalp, which indicates a buildup of a yeast-like fungus called (Malassezia globosa) around your hair follicles. If you check your scalp for dandruff but can't find any trace, your hair is in good condition.

6. Your hair seldom breaks

While hair shedding is normal (provided it doesn't exceed 80 strands a day), hair breakage is not and should be given quick attention. To test for hair breakage, give your hair a bit of a tug. If it breaks, you need to improve your hair care regimen, but if it reverts to its natural form, your hair is healthy.

Your hair naturally repels water

Healthy hair typically repels water. Take a water bowl and place 2-3 hair strands in it. If your hair is healthy, the strands will float, but if they're not, they will sink. Hair strands sinking indicates that the cuticles are open and exposed to the elements.

Wrap-up

Overall, there are many ways to determine if your hair is healthy. It is vital that you use all of these methods together to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

As a rule of thumb, it is best not to get too hung up on any one factor because, ultimately, what matters most is whether or not your hair looks and feels great. Does it have volume? Can you run your fingers through it? Is it shiny and bouncy? Those are much better indicators.

Remember that your hair health is ever-changing; just because you have a healthy scalp today doesn't mean that you will always have one.