How to know if your hair is healthy can sometimes feel like a mystery, but with a few simple checks, you can easily figure it out. If you’ve ever wondered whether your hair is thriving or in need of some extra TLC, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the key signs of healthy hair, how to identify potential issues, and what you can do to improve your hair’s condition. As someone who has spent years navigating dryness, breakage, and everything in between, I know how frustrating it can be to figure out what your hair truly needs—but it’s not as complicated as it seems.
This post is all about how to know if your hair is healthy.
Watch the video here!
This is part two of getting your healthiest hair in 2025 series! Check out the first post for healthy hair tips you can implement right now no matter what condition your hair is in to keep your hair healthy to get you to your hair goals.
Why Understanding how to know if your hair is healthy is important
Taking the time to evaluate your hair’s condition allows you to identify what your hair needs and tailor your routine to address specific concerns. Without a clear understanding of your starting point, it’s difficult to achieve healthier, more manageable hair. So, grab a notebook and let’s walk through a comprehensive hair assessment.
Hair Assessment: The Key Questions to Ask
1. How Does My Hair Feel and Look?
Assessing your hair’s texture and appearance is crucial. Ask yourself:
- Does my hair feel dry and rough, like straw?
- Is it oily and limp, leaving my roots greasy and weighed down?
- Does it feel fine and flat, struggling to hold volume or style?
Each of these conditions points to common hair issues that can be addressed with the right products and habits.
Solutions for Hair Problems:
- Dry Hair: Focus on hydrating products and avoid excessive heat styling.
- Oily Hair: Opt for lightweight, clarifying shampoos and avoid heavy conditioners.
- Fine Hair: Use volumizing products and avoid buildup-causing ingredients.
2. Is My Hair Prone to Breakage or Split Ends?
If your hair often feels fragile or you see uneven strands, breakage or split ends might be to blame.
Common Signs of Hair Damage:
- Breakage: Look for short, uneven strands or rough textures along the hair shaft.
- Split Ends: Notice “Y” shapes at the tips, tangling, or white dots at the ends.
Hair Problems and Solutions:
- Protect your hair with a heat protectant before styling.
- Trim split ends regularly to prevent further damage.
- Hydrate with a balance of moisture and protein treatments.
3. Do I Experience Excessive Shedding or Thinning?
Losing 50–100 strands a day is normal, but clumps of hair or a noticeably smaller ponytail may indicate excessive shedding.
What to Look For:
- Receding hairline and visible scalp near the crown.
- Wider parting or smaller hair density.
What Does My Hair Need?
If you’re still unsure, try this “What Does My Hair Need Quiz” to identify whether your hair requires protein, moisture, or both.
Does My Hair Need Protein or Moisture?
Here’s a quick way to tell:
- Signs Your Hair Needs Protein:
- Feels mushy or stretchy when wet.
- Struggles to hold shape or style.
- Signs Your Hair Needs Moisture:
- Feels brittle or dry to the touch.
- Breaks easily during brushing or styling.
How to Know If Your Hair is Healthy
Wondering how to know if your hair is healthy? Here are some signs of healthy hair to look for:
- Shine: Reflects light naturally and looks glossy.
- Strength: Doesn’t break or snap easily when pulled.
- Elasticity: Bounces back to its original shape after being stretched.
- Smoothness: Feels soft and smooth from root to tip.
If your hair is lacking in any of these areas, it’s time to adjust your routine to achieve those healthy hair goals.
Addressing Common Hair Issues
Lifeless Hair
- Cause: Low-porosity and product buildup or overly moisturized hair.
- Look or feel like: flat and lack volume or bounce, clings to your head, appearing weighed down, excessively soft
Frizz and Dryness
- Cause: High-porosity hair or lack of hydration.
- Look or feel like: feels rough, straw-like, and brittle, with a lack of smoothness or shine, making it appear unruly and dull.
Dullness
- Cause: Damage to the hair cuticle.
- Look or feel like: dry or brittle to the touch, lack smoothness and shine or looks matte, strands may look rough or uneven in light.
How Does Your Hair Respond to Humidity?
Humidity reveals a lot about your hair type:
- Frizzy Hair in Humidity: Likely high porosity and needs moisture.
- Limp Hair in Humidity: Likely low porosity and has product buildup.
Scalp Health: The Foundation for Healthy Hair
A healthy scalp is essential for achieving your dream hair. Take note of the following:
- Dry Scalp: Tight, uncomfortable with small, dry, white flakes (may resemble dandruff but don’t have an oily base) and itching that worsens in dry weather or after harsh shampoos.
- Itchy Scalp: Persistent urge to scratch, accompanied by flakes (dandruff), redness, or irritation, or itching without visible flakes may indicate allergies, psoriasis, or a reaction to products.
- Oily Scalp: Hair feels greasy or slick shortly after washing, Heavy or greasy flakes that clump together, Scalp often looks shiny.
- Dandruff: Scalp feels excessively dry or oily with loose, powdery flakes.
- Product Build Up: Scalp often feels greasy or heavy with heavier, sticky flakes.
To address scalp concerns, opt for products tailored to your specific needs, such as hydrating oils for dryness or clarifying shampoos for buildup.
Set Your Hair Goals for 2025
Now that you’ve completed your hair assessment, it’s time to set your goals. Some popular goals include:
- Thicker, fuller hair.
- Longer hair with reduced breakage.
- Hair that’s easier to style.
- Overall healthier hair that looks and feels great.
Understanding how to know if your hair is healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. By doing a simple hair assessment and paying attention to the signs of damaged hair, you can identify what your hair needs and address any concerns. Whether you’re wondering, “What does my hair need?” or trying to figure out if it’s time for a treatment, tools like a does my hair need protein or moisture quiz can help guide you.
By focusing on your unique needs, you can create a routine that strengthens your strands, restores shine, and ensures your hair stays healthy and vibrant. Which we will cover in the next part of this series! (if it is up, here is the link).
Your journey to beautiful, resilient hair starts with understanding its condition—and now you have the tools to get there.
XO, Annie
