top of page

How to tell if your hair is damaged


damaged hair

Introduction - How to tell if your hair is damaged


We have probably all experienced some type of hair damage, regardless of whether or not our hair type is more prone to it, it is still easy to fall victim to damage due to the various ways we may be accidentally damaging our hair. The good news is, there are ways to identify that your hair is damaged and that it is in need of extra nourishment and attention. Once you know this, it is definitely possible to reverse damage to the hair. In this article we will identify the signs of hair damage, as well as discuss the solutions and steps needed to restore the hair to its optimal health.



What exactly is damaged hair?


Damaged hair is when the outer layer of a hair strand called the cuticle is cracked or damaged in some way, altering the natural structure of the hair. The cuticle should act as a protector to the hair shaft, but when it is damaged it is unable to shield the hair from becoming even more damaged by losing the ability to hold on to the moisure it needs to repair itself, as well as protect it from environmental factors. This is why it is very important to recognise the signs of damaged hair so that you can start to repair it sooner and prevent further damage that becomes even more difficult to treat. If you want to know if your hair is damaged, look out for the following signs:



  1. Dry Hair


One of the telling signs of hair damage is hair that feels or looks dry. Dry hair can be a result of heat damage or chemical damage, which can damage the hair, particularly if overused. When the hair is damaged the cuticle is cracked, which forces moisture to escape from the hair, leaving it feeling dry and brittle. Therefore, one of the best signs to look our for to identidy damaged hair is hair dryness, caused by the damage to the outer layer of the hair strand.


Luckily, by adding hydration and moisture to the hair you can restore the health of the hair over time, smoothing the cuticle, stopping moisture from escaping and preventing the hair from further external damage.


It is extremely important to treat the hair when you notice dryness as dry hair is generally more brittle and is more prone to breakage, so the sooner it is rehydrated the less hair damage you will have to repair.


  1. Hair That Is Dull Or Lacks Shine


When the outer layer of the hair (cuticle) is damaged it is not flat enough to reflect light, which is responsible for creating a lustrious shine to the strands. If you notice that your hair looks dull, this could be a sign that you have hair damage preventing your hair from being smooth enough to effectively reflect light and be shiny! Also, as damaged hair is unable to effectively retain moisture, it can be partially responsible for hair that looks dull.


It is important to remember that although there may be many products that artificially enhance hair shine, ultimately this is temporary and does not treat the cause of the lack of shine in your natural hair.


You can regain your natural hair shine by nourishing your hair with a hydrating hair oil, to replenish and revitalise the hair. Remember that when hair is damaged, the cuticles are cracked, so there is naturally more moisture loss than in healthy hair, and it is common for it to be more porous, so when you first start to use hydrating products on damaged hair it is normal that some of the hydration is lost due to the hair retaining moisture less easily, but in time with consistent application of the nourishing product the cuticle will repair progressively, and will then be able to retain more moisture as the hair is repairing. The key is consistency and patience with hair oiling and hair conditioning! You can read more about how to best apply oil to more porous hair here.


  1. Frizzy Hair


When hair is damaged, the cracks in the cuticles can make it easier for the hair to absorb moisture from the air, causing uneven swelling of the hair strands which ultimately leads to frizz. Remember that damaged hair absorbs moisture more easily but it also loses it more easily, due to the cracks in the cuticle. It is important to repair the cuticle so that the hair will be protected in environmental conditions that are prone to frizz such as humidity, and also smooth the cuticle protecting the hair from moisture loss and attempts to draw moisture from the environment, causing frizz.


Castor oil is a key ingredient in Harir Hair Oil blend as it effectively targets frizz by hydrating and smoothing the cuticle.












bottom of page