Over-hydrated hair can become overly flexible and stretchy, while extremely dry hair can become brittle and less elastic. Protein Deficiency: Hair requires a balance of moisture and protein. A deficiency in protein can lead to weakened hair that stretches more easily.
Hair is supposed to stretch. Elasticity (stretching and returning) is normal. It increases with water in the hair shaft. Hair that will stretch but not return is often (over)processed. Stretching hair (especially wet) can lead to breakage, just because it can doesn't mean you should.
If your hair is highly elastic, then it doesn't need treatment as much as it needs maintenance. Your hair elasticity can be maintained with protein packs or hair masks. Filled with several hydrating ingredients, these products are light on the hair and work on retaining the hair's moisture.
Hair is supposed to stretch. Elasticity (stretching and returning) is normal. It increases with water in the hair shaft. Hair that will stretch but not return is often (over)processed. Stretching hair (especially wet) can lead to breakage, just because it can doesn't mean you should.
There are MANY REASONS hair can lack BOUNCE and BODY – be it STRESS, a LACK OF VITAMINS or, simply, AGE.
Healthy, well-hydrated hair should have some stretch or elasticity. Without it hair becomes brittle and can break. With too much stretch your hair can become matted and gummy.
At this point, healthy hair will bounce back to its previous state – whilst overly-stretchy strands will take longer to do so; the worst cases won't bounce back at all or could even snap off.
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.
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.
Easy! The Slide Test: Take a strand of hair and slide your fingers up the shaft from the ends towards the scalp. If you feel little resistance and your fingers glide smoothly, your hair is likely high porosity. If you feel some resistance but can still slide your fingers easily, you have medium porosity hair.
Elastic hair is healthy hair and stretchy hair (that doesn't bounce back) is a telltale sign of damage.
But the most visible indicators of over processing, include split ends, frizzy texture, and breakage.
YOU HAVE EXTREMELY DAMAGED HAIR IF:
Your first clue is the texture: very damaged hair feels like chewing gum when wet, stretchy and brittle, and stiff and crunchy like straw when dry.
Moisture Imbalance: Both excessive moisture and dryness can affect hair's elasticity. Over-hydrated hair can become overly flexible and stretchy, while extremely dry hair can become brittle and less elastic. Protein Deficiency: Hair requires a balance of moisture and protein.
Here are a few tips to increase hair elasticity:
Avoid heat styling and harsh chemicals as much as possible. If you do use them, be sure to use products that protect your hair from damage. Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Be sure to get enough protein, as well as vitamins A, C, and E.
If you notice your tresses have become stringy, limp, or gummy (meaning hair stretches like a rubber band and snaps) you could be lacking protein.
For removing Silly Putty from hair, you may try using baby oil or a generous amount of hair conditioner along with warm water. Massage the product you choose around the scalp and area containing the Silly Putty, and then gently comb it through. After Silly Putty is removed, wash hair with shampoo.