Wet a small section of your hair and thoroughly comb it out. Using both hands, hold the section of wet hair at the ends and gently pull it outward. If your hair stretches without breaking, then it has good elasticity. If it breaks or feels very dry and brittle, then its elasticity needs some improvement.
You can try this test by taking a slightly moist hair strand and gently pulling it from each end. If the hair stretches and bounces back to its original position, it has good elasticity, but if it breaks or doesn't return to its original shape, it will require the proper hair treatment.
Moisture Content: Hair is made up of a protein called keratin and can absorb moisture. When hair is wet or has high moisture content, it becomes more elastic and can stretch more than when it is dry.
Not sure what your hair porosity is? There's an easy test you can do at home. Simply take a strand of your hair and place it in a cup of water. If the strand sinks, you have low porosity hair. If it floats, you have high porosity hair. If it sinks but then floats back up, you have medium porosity hair.
How can I improve elasticity in my hair? Keep hair tangle free. Deep condition every 1-2 weeks. Use protein and moisture balanced products or a protein/moisturizing hair mask. Always shampoo and follow up with a conditioner. Use very little heat styling. Keep scalp and hair nourished with oils.
Use deep conditioning treatments regularly. Look for products that contain keratin or collagen, which can help to strengthen the hair shaft and improve elasticity.
When hair is wet, select a strand of hair, hold it securely at the root to avoid pulling. With the other hand, gently stretch the hair. Release the hair. If the hair stretches and returns to its original length when released, then elasticity is good.
We tend to think of curly hair as dense and prone to dryness. Low porosity curls tend to be looser, wavy, or S-shaped. The curls are distinct with a tight, flat cuticle that prevents moisture from entering and exiting the hair. This is why low porosity hair can often look limp or flat.
Starting with clean hair, comb out a few pieces of hair. Place those strands in a glass of water and see how they behave. Healthy hair will sink slowly as it absorbs the water. If the hair floats, it means porosity is low and if the hair immediately sinks it indicates high porosity.
When you add an excessive amount of protein to your hair you're creating an intense barrier on your strands. Protein buildup like this can be a real problem as water and other moisturizing ingredients aren't able to penetrate the strand, leading to dry and dull hair that may feel limp and stiff.
It's easy to tell how dense your hair is with a simple mirror test. Grab a large handful of hair and pull it to the side. You have thin hair density if you can easily see your scalp, medium density if you can partially see your scalp under your hair, and thick density if you can hardly see it.
causes of poor hair elasticity + how to repair it
Healthy elasticity (hair's resilience and ability to bounce back) can be impacted by a multitude of factors, including damage from bleach and color, chemical services, using too much heat, mechanical styling, or environmental aggressors.
If you've recently highlighted or chemically treated your hair, you also need to use protein regularly. Protein treatments can help strengthen the hair shaft and restore its structural integrity. On the other hand, if your hair feels dry, frizzy, and lacks elasticity, it's likely in need of moisture.
How do I know if I have dead hair? Look for signs like extreme dryness and brittleness, weak and thin ends, increased shedding and tangles, and a lackluster appearance. If your hair feels like straw, lacks shine, and breaks easily, even after moisturizing, it might be severely damaged.
Low porosity hair is typically considered healthier, whereas high porosity hair is more damaged. Depending on what you currently have, your haircare routine may or may not be making matters better or worse.
For low porosity hair, light oils like jojoba, argan, avocado, and almond oil are ideal as they easily penetrate the tightly bound cuticles without weighing the hair down.
The best hair dryer for low porosity hair - Laifen SE
Regarding low porosity hair, the Laifen SE stands out as the final sidekick. This dryer's ionic technology doesn't just reduce frizz—it helps your hair hold onto the moisture it desperately needs, turning dry, stubborn strands into soft, manageable perfection.
Simply take a clean, product-free strand of loose hair and put it in a glass of water. If the hair floats at the top then it is low porosity, if it sinks slowly or settles in the middle it is medium/normal porosity, and if it sinks straight to the bottom then it is high porosity.
Eggs are a powerhouse of protein and yogurt contains probiotics needed for healthy hair. Beat the egg and yogurt in a bowl to form a smooth paste. Apply this on to your scalp and hair. Wash with a mild shampoo after 30 minutes to get smooth and shiny hair.
If your hair lacks elasticity, try incorporating protein treatments, deep conditioning, and gentle handling techniques into your hair care routine to help restore elasticity and prevent future damage.