When we think of healthy hair, we usually consider aspects such as hair density, strength and texture, among other factors. However, a key aspect that determines good hair health is hair elasticity. The best hair tends to be high in elasticity.
What is hair elasticity, and what affects it?
Hair elasticity refers to how well your hair can handle stretching without snapping. Genetics plays a role in determining hair elasticity, but it gets affected by various factors such as frequent use of styling tools, chemical treatments, what hair care products are being used, exposure to UV rays and other environmental stressors.
When it comes to what affects hair elasticity, it is good to understand that wet hair is highly prone to losing elasticity. Hence, gently drying hair after a wash is important to preserve high elasticity. The friction caused by brushing hair with a fine-tooth comb also makes it brittle, so it’s advisable to use a wide-toothed comb instead.
Why does hair elasticity matter?
One of the key reasons hair is tensile is to help it survive. Due to hair elasticity, it bends instead of breaking easily. Hair health also plays a vital part here. When hair retains its health, it has some stretch or elasticity, without which it runs the risk of becoming brittle by losing its elasticity. Over a period of time, it ends up looking weathered. In fact, it is even more important to retain its elasticity when it comes to curly hair because it’s more prone to becoming dry and losing elasticity than other hair types.
How can you determine your hair’s elasticity?
Regardless of hair types, if you notice little, broken hair strands on your shoulders often or remarkably large hair fall after styling, you could be suffering from low hair elasticity.
A simple way to check your hair elasticity is to hold a wet strand between two fingers and stretch the hair by pulling the ends in either direction. Hair that is of low elasticity will snap almost instantly. This indicates that hair lacks a balance of protein and moisture within strands. If you notice low elasticity in specific areas of your hair, it is likely due to heat or chemical damage.
Hair of medium density will stretch more but will eventually break. This indicates an average balance of moisture and protein. Most likely, such hair has not had excessive exposure to high heat or chemical treatments.
And finally, highly elastic hair will stretch a fair bit (over 50% of its resting length) before quickly bouncing back. This is an indicator of good hair health and an optimal balance of protein and moisture. Such hair looks shiny and has a bounce to it.
It’s important to keep checking the elasticity at regular intervals to ensure it doesn’t decrease.
How can you improve hair elasticity?
One of the easiest and most effective ways to achieve high elasticity is using the right hair care products. Shampoos, conditioners, serums, hair masks, and oil that steers away from deterring agents are ideal.
When it comes to improving hair elasticity, Olive Squalene Oil is a great natural agent that helps. It’s important to remember that when your hair elasticity increases, so does your hair strength, so including hair care products that contain Olive Squalene Oil is a great way to help your hair. This is one of the reasons why iluvia comes highly recommended by stylists. When it comes to increasing elasticity, the Squalene Restorative Conditioner and Intensive Hair Care Serum, the products are right up there.
iluvia’s Squalene Restorative Conditioner increases hair elasticity without adding any weighty silicones that pull hair down. This makes it a lightweight, easy-to-apply conditioner that helps strengthen your hair. The results? Reduced hair fall while styling or combing, increase in hair volume and frizz-free, bouncy hair.
With exposure to heat being one of the main causes of low hair elasticity, rely on iluvia’s Intensive Hair Care Serum to act as a barrier between hair and high temperatures while using styling tools. Just a few drops of the serum is enough to ensure elasticity is not affected. Moreover, the Intensive Hair Care Serum contains Moroccan Argan Oil and Olive Squalene Oil, which work to restore the lipid barrier and improve hair elasticity.
Take the first step towards healthy hair. iluvia’s hair care products are suitable for all hair types and are even compatible with coloured and treated hair. Shop iluvia’s collection today.