IS THERE A THING LIKE OVER MOISTURISATION?

Moisture is good for our hair, agreed. There is a tendency for naturally textured hair tends to be dry, and keeping our hair moisturised is vital for healthy hair.

The thing is, tons of products claim to moisturise hair, and hair experts (and not so experts) on Instagram and YouTube always have a new method for moisturisation that you just must try.

But can too much moisture in the hair be a bad thing? Is there a thing like over moisturisation?

The shocking answer is yes. There is actually a technical term for this, and it is hygral fatigue.

So, what is hygral fatigue?

When we wet our hair, it swells, and then shrinks when it dries. Hygral fatigue happens when the hair keeps alternating between swelling and shrinking due to being alternatively wet, then dry, then wet, then dry. This back and forth eventually causes breakage.

It will also surprise you that it is not only over moisturisation that causes hygral fatigue. Deep conditioning hair beyond the manufacturer-recommended time also causes over-moisturisation.

Also, avoiding protein altogether in your hair care routine results in hygral fatigue. It is, therefore, important to not over moisturise and to use the correct amount of protein to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

How to prevent hygral fatigue

Here are some tips to prevent over-moisturising.

Don’t keep your hair wet or saturated with moisturising products for an extended period of time.

Ensure that your hair products dry thoroughly, especially if you wear a lot of wash and go styles.

Apply oils like avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil before shampooing. These oils have a great reputation of penetrating the hair shaft and help to reduce the amount of hair cuticle swelling.

How do you know you are suffering from hygral fatigue?

If you’re suffering from moisture overload, you are likely to notice some or all of the following symptoms:

Reduced elasticity: This means that your hair finds it difficult to return to its natural state after pulling it when it’s wet. It is important for us to remember that elasticity is the result of a balance of protein and moisture in the hair. This means that totally removing protein from your hair care routine can also result in hygral fatigue. Mushy, gummy, or limp hair: Hair that feels mushy, gummy, or limp when wet is a strong signal that your hair is over-moisturised. Shapeless hair: If your curls have a difficult time holding their shape, have little definition and fall flatter than normal, your hair might be over moisturised.

Weighed down hair: If your hair feels weighed down (feeling as if you applied too much product), this could be a sign of over moisturisation.

How to fix the problem

Clarify: This is one of the most effective ways of re-seting hair. It deep cleanses the scalp and hair and rids it of oil residue, product build-up and other impurities. It also helps to rid the cuticles of excess water. You may not see immediate results, but your hair should feel better by the second and third rinses.

Use protein products: One of the reasons for hygral fatigue is insufficient protein. You may want to change to protein products from non-protein products. These will help to rebuild the core structure of your hair strands and in the process, get rid of excess moisture.

Use oils: Use oils to seal your hair against over moisturising. Get rid of the excess water in your hair by squeezing. Put a small dab of oil between your palms, rub your hands together and rake the oil through your hair.

Don’t wash your hair ever so often: Simply limit how often you wet your hair during the week.

Avoid deep conditioning: If you are suffering from hygral fatigue, do not deep condition your hair. Rather, use protein products to revive your hair.

Seek help: If you can’t seem to get your hair straightened out by yourself, it is time to seek the help of a professional. He/She can recommend the appropriate treatment for your hair. You can always contact us for a hair consultation.

In conclusion

It is important to understand that balance is key when it comes to healthy hair. We all must be careful to balance moisture and protein in our hair is order to improve hair elasticity and prevent breakage. Stay hygral fatigue free. Stay beautiful.