What does healthy hair look like?

MANILA, Philippines — What is a full head of healthy hair to you? It could be a source of confidence, a vessel for expression, or your standout feature. If your locks are important to you, then make an effort to keep it clean and healthy.  

Filipinas are generally happy with their hair, but when probed further about its condition, they admit that they could do better. Whether it’s brushing a little more often, or being patient enough not to blast the blow dryer on too close, there is definitely room for improvement.  

There are so many different hair types that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes it healthy. There’s curly, straight, thick, wavy — but no matter the hair type, there are a few signs that let you know your hair is in good shape. If you want to know what a head of healthy hair looks like, see if your tresses possess these qualities:  

Soft and shiny. A telltale sign that your hair is in good condition is if it is soft to the touch and exudes a sheeny luster as opposed to being dry and frizzy. What this means is that it’s nourished and well moisturized.  

Elastic. Does a strand snap with the slightest tug? That’s a bad sign; healthy hair should be able to stretch and bend like an elastic band.   

Sheds regularly. Hair has a lifespan of about 2 to 7 years, and with the amount of hair on our head it’s normal to shed around 50 to 100 strands everyday. Healthy hair will stay healthy by replacing older hairs with fresh ones. Any more shedding than that is a sign that your hair needs help.  

It might seem tedious to regularly maintain your hair, especially if you have a lot of it. Some days, chopping it all off might even start to sound like a good idea. But the reality is that hair is a strong and resilient part of your body; sometimes it only takes 3 minutes. — Rappler.com