We have all been there, our hair is looking dull, dry, and doesn’t seem to be doing anything that we want it to. But, how do we know if it is damaged or just dry? Or is it just thirsty? I have you covered! Today I am talking about how to identify the difference between dry and damaged hair.
I have been highlighting my hair for years now. And, I also use heat on it daily! Can you say hello damage! I have good news for you! You can color and use heat on your hair. And at the same time have healthy hair. We just need to know how to identify what our hair needs to stay healthy and not become damaged or dry.
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It can be difficult to spot the difference between damaged and dry hair. And they can have a lot of the same characteristics. But they are different and we treat them differently. There are a few tests to see if it is damaged. Damaged hair needs protein replaced and dry hair needs moisture.
7 Key Signs Of Hair Damage
- Tangles easy
- Dull & lacks shine
- Dry & brittle (stays dry even after conditioning)
- Split Ends
- Excessive breakage
- Lack of elasticity
- Fading hair color
5 Key Signs Of Dry Hair
- Hair texture changes in your environment (example: with humidity)
- Improves with hydration and conditioning
- Using styling products and treatments improves dryness
- Hair strands feel rough & coarse
- Dry flaky scalp
Damage Tests
Below are two tests that you can use as guides to see if you have hair damage. As far as the porosity tests go, if your hair sinks that indicates high porosity and you may have high damage from chemicals, rough treatment, or the environment.
4 Main Causes of Hair Damage
Chemical –
Hair coloring, high lightening, or chemically straightening.
Thermal –
Regularly using hot tools like a blow dryer or irons.
Mechanical –
Damage for vigorously washing, combing, brushing, or drying roughly.
Environmental –
UV rays, chlorine, or pollution.
*I did a blog post on heat and your hair that you can check out here: How Hot is Too Hot When Using Hot Tools.
Levels of Hair Damage
Severe damage –
Does your hair have a very rough texture to it? You can also have noticeable breakage and it can be excessively dry all the time. You will probably fight these issues even after trying to condition your hair. Most people with severe damage have no doubt their hair is damaged.
Moderate damage –
Your hair with have a rough texture, is dry, and has some split ends that are noticeable.
Mild damage –
You may notice mild texture to your hair, a few split ends, and your hair may feel dryer than usual. You may be able to control the dryness for a while conditioning but after a while, you will notice that conditioning doesn’t cut it anymore.
What can you do now that you know your hair is damaged?
So, you have assessed your hair by doing a damage test or made an assessment by comparing your hair with the key signs of damage, now what? Believe it or not, you don’t have to cut your hair off or accept the fact that it is going to look like “this” from now on! There are products out there that can repair the damage and you can start protecting your hair from further damage!
Monat came out with a damage repair line of products in the Fall of 2021, and they are amazing! Depending on the severity of the damage to your hair depends on what products and how often you should use them. If you would like to have a complimentary consultation with me, please click here and I will be in touch with you!
I have bleach highlights done on my hair every 6 weeks and I am currently in a maintenance phase with the line of using Monat Repair Bond Support Shampoo for my first shampoo followed by our Renew Shampoo. I also use Damage Repair Bond-Fortifying Hair Leave-in Crème as my “styling product”. My hair has never been so healthy. Please see details of the entire line below!
MONAT Damage Repair Line Technology
Monat Damage Repair Line has Monosome technology, which is a multilayer, patent-pending technology made of proprietary ingredients that takes a dual-action approach to strengthen and repair your hair. It penetrates the hair surface to reach the innermost structure of the hair slowly and releases a variety of ingredients over time to strengthen and repair the hair structure. This line doesn’t “cover-up” damage, it repairs it!
Damage Repair Bond Support Shampoo – This is the shampoo that I use every time I shampoo, it helps to cleanse while strengthening and repairing hair along with reducing breakage. This sodium lauryl sulfate-free formula featuring Rejuvabeads, and desert date oil supplies a nurturing cleanse that hydrates while reducing friction and delivering radiant shine!
Damage Repair Bond-Building Hair Treatment – You would use this to help prime the hair to reinforce bonds and improve hair elasticity. Used in place of a daily conditioner and powered by bio-fermented sugarcane, this amino acid, and omega fatty acid-rich water get serum is easy to apply with its nozzle tip applicator.
Damage Repair Bond Support Masque – This is an ultra-rich, luxurious, buttery masque that softens hair by 90% and features Rejuveniqe, Rejuvabeads, and desert date oil to replenish hair and bond the hair fiber.
Damage Repair Bond-Fortifying Hair Leave-in Crème – With this leave-in crème you will protect and shield the hair while nourishing hair cuticles for effortless detangling and styling. The rich leave-in crème reduces breakage from brushing and combing by 88% while strengthening to protect and shield the hair prior to thermal styling.
What Can You Do If Your Hair Is Just Dry?
So, what if you did the damage test and assessed for damage, and your think your hair is only dry and needs some hydration? There are multiple things that you can do to help get your hair back on track!
I highly recommend doing a weekly hair masque if you aren’t already doing one. Whether your hair is healthy or not this is a must! Using a hair masque will help to balance the hair moisture. You can check out my favorite ones here or send me a message and I would love to help you find which one would work best for you!
The second thing I would recommend is to find a conditioner that targets your specific need. Is your hair prone to frizz? Do you lack volume but desperately need some hydration? Finding the conditioner that works best for your hair need is crucial! It can also depend on the time of year; I will switch my conditioner sometimes throughout the year! If you would like some help finding a great conditioner to fit your specific needs, click here and I would love to help you out!
Alrighty, the third thing that I recommend to you is to protect your hair from the start! The sun and elements can damage your hair so I would recommend a UV protectant on it.
Be Proactive!
Also, little things matter like being nice to your hair. Use a microfiber towel on your wet hair instead of a regular towel. It will cut down on breakage and friction. A wide-tooth comb or a wet brush to gently comb through your wet hair. Always start from the bottom and work your way up to help cut down on breakage. I also recommend using a silk pillowcase, if possible, these are a great way to cut down on friction and breakage and will help to make your hair shinier!
Did you find this post helpful? Do you think you might have damaged or dry hair? I used to think that if my hair was damaged that there wasn’t anything that I could do about it, and I just had to wait and grow it out! Boy was I wrong! There are options out there and I hope this helped! If you have any questions, please reach out to me!
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