Hygral Fatigue
Author: Jenna White
August 5th, 2020
August 5th, 2020
People frequently try to take on too much, and stretch themselves thin across multiple projects, responsibilities and goals. Hygral fatigue is a similar phenomenon that occurs when you over-condition your hair, leading to excessive damage from moisture entering and exiting your hair’s cuticle too many times. Typically, damaged hair starts with choices you make around styling, color or chemicals. The way to heal this type of damage is through deep conditioning, plus avoiding the daily use of heat styling tools. However, many people are unaware that it's possible to over-condition hair, which causes a different type of damage - hygral fatigue. Signs of this include hair appearing limp, stiff, and experiencing breakage, despite the use of good conditioning products. Read on to learn more.
Why does it happen?
Each strand of hair is quite remarkable in that it is elastic, porous and strong. However, because hair is made up of dead cells filled and surrounded by keratin (i.e. protein), it is not designed to withstand constant changes (Source). Increased porosity commonly contributes to hygral fatigue. Under this condition, the hair becomes unable to hold onto the moisture it soaks up. Each strand's cuticle swells from being stretched and constricted too many times (imagine repeatedly placing a sponge in water and then squeezing it out). To maintain a normal level of porosity, there needs to be a balance between moisture and protein in the hair. Too much protein makes strands stiff and dull, while not enough creates an inability to retain moisture.
Is it happening to my hair?
The most common way to disrupt the balance between moisture and protein in your hair is through chemical services like color (lightening), perms or relaxers. If you've used services like these, have you been doing any of the following lately?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider the chart below. Check out this YouTube video for more guidance on conducting the "Strand Test".
Why does it happen?
Each strand of hair is quite remarkable in that it is elastic, porous and strong. However, because hair is made up of dead cells filled and surrounded by keratin (i.e. protein), it is not designed to withstand constant changes (Source). Increased porosity commonly contributes to hygral fatigue. Under this condition, the hair becomes unable to hold onto the moisture it soaks up. Each strand's cuticle swells from being stretched and constricted too many times (imagine repeatedly placing a sponge in water and then squeezing it out). To maintain a normal level of porosity, there needs to be a balance between moisture and protein in the hair. Too much protein makes strands stiff and dull, while not enough creates an inability to retain moisture.
Is it happening to my hair?
The most common way to disrupt the balance between moisture and protein in your hair is through chemical services like color (lightening), perms or relaxers. If you've used services like these, have you been doing any of the following lately?
- Deep conditioning your hair more than a few times a week (leads to limp hair)?
- Leaving protein treatments on your hair overnight (can cause dry, brittle hair)?
- Using heat styling on your hair every day (removes protein over time)?
- Constantly wetting your hair and not letting it dry (exhausts your hair's cuticle)?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider the chart below. Check out this YouTube video for more guidance on conducting the "Strand Test".
Hygral fatigue can be frustrating, since you often believe you are doing all the right things for your hair but aren't seeing results. Hopefully this post has helped you figure out if you need to take your haircare routine in a different direction!
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