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

About The Author

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