4 Easy Ways to Test For Damaged Hair At Home

We all aspire to have healthy, luscious locks that shine from scalp to tip. But how can we truly gauge the health of our hair? Fortunately, there are DIY hair tests you can perform at home to assess your hair's condition. In this article, we've curated a selection of these tests and paired them with top recommendations from HairMNL, ensuring you have access to expert-backed solutions for any hair concerns you may encounter.

Ensuring the health of your hair is crucial, and these DIY tests provide a convenient starting point. Before diving into these methods, however, it's essential to acknowledge that severe hair damage warrants professional attention. Whether it's a consultation with your doctor or a visit to a trusted stylist, expert guidance can offer invaluable insights into your hair's needs.

Stylist Robert Dela Pena, who has been in the industry for over twenty years, has seen it all. Being with Davines, he says, "even without expert knowledge, there are some key indicators that could reveal how damaged your hair is." He adds, "What you're assessing are three key elements: Elasticity, Porosity, and Texture."

So, after a quick search of the most popular DIY self-assessment tests available online, we've narrowed it down to just a handful. You can try them yourself to see how damaged your hair may be.

Gloss Test

This is the easiest one of all. Quickly run your fingers through your hair, preferably in daylight, and observe if your hair reflects light over the strands or appears limp and matte. Glossy hair indicates closed cuticles, which is a good sign, meaning your hair can seal in moisture effectively. Extremely coarse hair appears frizzy and feels tangled, indicating very dry strands needing deep conditioning. The only caveat is if you have rebonded hair. Processed to be flat, gloss tests for straightened or rebonded hair do not provide a definitive assessment.

Enhance your hair's shine with:

1. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Gold 10-in-1 Perfecting Oil : This multi-benefit oil helps to nourish, protect, and add shine to damaged hair, leaving it smooth and manageable.

2. Kérastase Resistance Extentioniste Thermique : A leave-in thermal protector that strengthens and protects hair against breakage while promoting healthy hair growth.

Image Source: Kérastase

Smoothness Test

Slowly run a strand of hair between your thumb and forefinger, preferably after showering or before applying any products. We want to assess the hair's state before any treatments. Feel for bumps or rough spots along the shaft. Healthy hair feels slightly rough, but if it's too rough or very dry and brittle, it may need a conditioning treatment. If it's rough and severely damaged in parts, it may be time for a trim.

Achieve silky smooth hair with:

1. Davines NOUNOU Shampoo and Conditioner : Formulated with tomato extract, these products gently cleanse and condition dry, damaged hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and manageable.

2. Revlon Professional ReStart Curls Ritual for Wavy Hair : This specially formulated cleanser, conditioner, and leave-on set is designed to cleanse, condition, and define wavy hair, enhancing its natural texture and promoting soft, smooth curls.

Snap and Sound Test

Check the elasticity of your hair by stretching one strand with your fingers. Pulling on either side with moderate pressure, healthy hair should feel springy, while damaged hair may snap and fray quickly. Fraying hair that curls when it breaks can cause split ends and is a sign of serious damage, indicating a need for a trim. Quick snapping can also indicate a lack of protein, suggesting the need for treatment.

Strengthen your hair with:

1. Davines Nourishing Hair Building Pak : A deep conditioning treatment enriched with essential oils and vitamins to nourish and strengthen damaged hair, leaving it smooth, shiny, and resilient.

Image Source: A.S Laboratory

2. Kérastase Resistance Thérapiste Mask : This reparative mask is formulated with keratin and amino acids to rebuild and strengthen damaged hair from within, restoring elasticity and vitality.

Image Source: Kérastase

Water Test

Water tests aim to determine your hair's porosity. It's not an exact science, but place very clean, air-dried hair in a glass of water for three minutes and observe if it floats, gradually sinks, or sinks immediately. Buoyancy indicates the porosity of your strands. If your hair has undergone chemical treatments like bleaching, it will likely sink quickly, indicating higher porosity, as bleaching opens up the hair's cuticle layer. Knowing your porosity can also affect how certain hair dyes interact with your hair.

Restore your hair's health with:

1. Olaplex No.3: Hair Perfector : A restorative treatment that helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair, reducing breakage and improving overall hair health.

Image Source: Olaplex

2. AVEDA Botanical Repair™ Intensive Strengthening Masque: Rich : An intensive masque infused with plant-based ingredients to nourish and strengthen damaged hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and resilient.

Image Source: Aveda

These recommendations offer a range of options to address various hair concerns, providing nourishment, repair, and protection for damaged hair.

In conclusion, these DIY tests offer valuable insights into your hair's health and provide a starting point for addressing any concerns. Paired with expert recommendations from HairMNL, you have access to effective solutions tailored to your hair's needs. Prioritize nourishing and strengthening treatments to promote healthy, resilient hair, and remember to seek professional advice for severe damage. With the right approach, you can achieve hair that radiates health and vitality.

Discover top recommendations for damaged hair at HairMNL.com!