Hair Elasticity Test in 3 Easy Steps (and why it’s so important you do it)

For a hair elasticity test, all you need to do is follow these three simple, basic steps:

 

Did you do it?

Let’s check your results:

 

 As you can see, in three simple steps, you’ll know if your hair is healthy enough to undergo certain aggressive treatments, like bleaching it, for example. 

But, it’ll also tell you if your hair needs some kind of intensive hydration treatment or a treatment with proteins.

 

That’s why, if you’re worried about your hair’s health before you use any kind of chemicals on it, keep reading, because I’ll tell you:

 

You don’t need to be a specialist in hair health today, because I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about hair elasticity.

 

What is a hair elasticity test: two easy ways to do one

An elasticity test is an efficient tool for determining what condition the inner part of your hair fiber is in before you do any kind of chemical treatment on your hair, whether that is dyeing it or bleaching it.

 

Like I told you at the beginning, in just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to determine if your hair is in good health. 

 This is the same method I use at my salon to know if my clients’ hair can handle a session of bleach. 

 

You can choose between the two different methods, both of which are as fail-safe as they are quick and easy for determining your hair’s elasticity. Let’s have a look at the first one.

 

Method 1 for doing an elasticity test

All you have to do in either case is choose a strand of hair.

 

This method, you then take the stand between your fingers and stretch. You don’t have to use a lot of force; remember that we don’t want to pull it out, just measure its elasticity.

Once you’ve stretched it, it’s time to take a look at what happened.

 

 

Method 2 for doing an elasticity test

Another method for checking your hair’s elasticity is by stretching a strand with your fingers, then running your nail over it until it forms a curl.

This is a really similar process to what you do when you want to create curls with ribbon for gift wrapping.

Once you’ve created a curl, stretch the strand back out, then let go.

 

 

Did you already do the test? What were your results?

 Surely if you got good results, you’re happy and worry-free. But, what happens if the result of the elasticity test wasn’t so good? 

 

Can you do something for your hair? Don’t worry because that’s what I’m about to tell you.

 

How to recover damaged hair’s elasticity

Hair, just like your nails, is made up of keratinized cells, which are basically just dead cells.

Your hair is comprised of proteins, which are organic tissues formed by the keratin synthesized from the cells that die around your hair follicle.

 

The epithelial cells that die around the follicle accumulate and disintegrate, so all that’s left is keratin, the main component in hair.

Why am I giving you this master class in biology?

 

Because in reality, hair doesn’t grow the same way that people think it does.

Let’s see. Why don’t you take my little quiz? Answer the following simple question: How does hair grow?

1. From the ends
2. From the roots

What was your answer? From the ends? Wrong!

Hair grows from your roots, because the accumulation of dead epithelial cells “push” the keratin up. It’s the same thing that happens with your fingernails, which grow from the bottom, not the top.

 

 And all of this explanation brings us to a not so happy truth: recuperating hair elasticity is very hard.  

 

Because the damage that we generate in each hair fiber is permanent until your hair grows out. And in order to fix that damage, you have to cut your hair, doing away with the damaged parts of your hair.

That’s why it’s so important to take care of your hair when you do chemical treatments to it, like perming, dyeing and bleaching it since they involve aggressive chemicals that contain ammonia.

So, what should you do in order to recuperate your hair’s elasticity?

 

That will get rid of the most damaged parts of your hair.

 

A deep hydration treatment will get your hair moisture it needs, improve its texture, add shine, and increase its elasticity.

Although there are many great conditioners out there that you can use for this, you can also use argan oil or olive oil.

 

A protein treatment will soften your hair and help give it back those lost proteins from the effects of chemical treatments or heated styling tools.

 

Conclusions

It’s important to do an elasticity test before putting your hair through an aggressive chemical treatment, like bleaching it.  Even if you just dye your hair often, it can be a great way to keep up with and check on your hair’s health. 

 

If your hair doesn’t have good elasticity, the first thing you should do is trim your ends every three months. Then you should be sure to do intensive hydration treatments twice a month and a protein treatment every 6 months.

Now tell me: What results did you get from the hair elasticity test?