- There’re several reasons why hair becomes stretchy: hormonal changes, stress, chemical treatments, and even genetics itself.
- And there’re various degrees of hair damage, depending on the type of elasticity you have.
- However, there’s good news! It’s possible to get your hair back. In this article, I’ll tell you the best recipes to find the cause of the damage and improve the look of your hair.
If you’re worried about your hair being stretchy, I understand you. I know how desperate you are! That’s why I’m going to help you find a solution.
First, you have to find the cause of this frequent situation.
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Why did my hair get stretchy?
First, you should know that hair elasticity exists and it’s one of the thousands of hair properties.
It means that it slightly stretches and, when released, it returns to its place. But when hair is damaged, its elasticity is high and you notice that it becomes gummy.
Some hair types suffer damage more than others. The reasons may be hormones, genetics or stress, among others.
Also, if you use chemicals in your hair for coloring, bleaching, straightening, or curling, its elasticity can be altered.
How can I recognize what kind of damage my hair has?
You can see how much damage your hair has by looking at its elasticity.
I suggest you do a simple test to check the type of damage:
Stretch a few hairs…
- If you notice that they come back like a spring, your hair has normal elasticity.
- If you notice that they stretch too much, be careful not to break them!
- If it breaks when you pull it, it’s severely damaged.
In addition to elasticity, other factors will help you recognize the type of damage. You can check the softness and movement of your hair.
How can I prevent my hair from becoming too stretchy?
There are several ways to prevent it, as I explain below.
Diagnose your hair.
First, one way to prevent damage is to diagnose your hair when you’re planning to change your look.
You should do it at a well-known beauty salon. They’ll test whether or not your hair is suitable for a chemical process. So, try to avoid going to a stylist without having diagnosed your hair!
Don’t sleep with wet hair.
The reason is simple: the excess of humidity weakens the keratin of the hair, refining it and reducing its shine.
Comb or brush your hair gently.
Start by combing the ends, then the middle, and finally, the scalp.
Eat well.
What you eat also influences your hair. You care for it when you eat a variety of healthy foods. Avoid skipping meals and fasting, or diets that promise miracles.
These tips will help you prevent damage and help you not to do it again.
Will I be able to get my hair back if it’s very stretchy?
Yes! Not all is lost; there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There’re some ways to start recovering that super elastic hair that you’re worried about and that makes you uncomfortable.
Here are 5 tips that’ll help you improve that hair.
1- Forget about heat
One way to recover your hair is to say goodbye to heat tools.
No more straightening, curling or blow-drying. It’ll be a very uncomfortable stage that’ll require some effort, but believe me, it’ll be worth it.
2- Organize your hair washing days
Many women wash their hair every day. No, no, and no!
No one says you shouldn’t bathe, but you can do it with a cap and avoid wetting it.
If you go to the gym every day, don’t worry because sweat is just water. If you want, you can rinse it off, but not to wash it.
By washing your hair every day, you alter its hydrolipidic barrier. What is our hair made of?
Water and lipids. So, by washing it daily, you damage it.
It’s difficult at first, but you can help yourself with some dry shampoo to absorb the oiliness of the scalp. Over time, the sebaceous gland will regulate itself and your hair will no longer feel greasy.
Another tip, if your hair is very gummy, is to start washing it in reverse. What does that mean?
Put conditioner in first and then shampoo. It’ll prevent your hair from getting tangled in the first step.
3- Moisturize, nourish or restore your hair depending on the damage
There are infinite products, oils, serums, masks, or biphasic products. How can you know which one to buy?
It’s simple. Products are divided by damage type, just like hair. Hydration is water, nutrition is food and restoration is medicine.
So, your damage will determine your needs.
For example, if your hair damage is slight, it’ll be enough to hydrate it daily and also add nutritive masks every ten days. If your hair damage is high, you can use a nutritive mask daily and add a restorative hair mask every ten days.
You have to work strand by strand massaging downwards, that is, from top to bottom.
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4- Protect your hair from the sun, chlorine, and seawater
Avoid exposing your hair to the sun too long, as it can dry out. In those cases, apply a thermal protectant.
Also, try to avoid sports in pools with chlorine and seawater when you’re in hair recovery.
5- Trim your ends once a month
If you trim half a centimeter a month, it’ll be enough to speed up the recovery process and will not alter your length. I advise you to make it a habit.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to prevent damage and heal the elasticity of your hair, practice these tips. It’ll only be a matter of days before you start noticing the change!
