So what’s the problem you
might ask? there’s a trend that reared its head years ago about deep
conditioning overnight. It was said that it would make your hair even more
manageable and soft as the conditioner would stay on your hair and do its job
to the largest capacity. A number of us
engaged, if not all of us. It was great. I for one would leave it in for longer
than 1 hour I graduated to 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 and then I’d rinse it out the
next day when I was having a shower. My hair would be unbelievably soft to the
touch. Over time I realized that it was doing my hair more harm than good and
while my hair would turn out much softer, it was actually getting weaker an
would break off in bits soon after. If you’re wondering what this point is,
it’s called hygral fatigue. I’m almost certain I’ve written about it but this
time I’ll delve into the scientific aspect in hopes that you all understand it
better and you know that it’s killing your hair in the long run.
The science behind hygral fatigue.
Hygral fatigue occurs when
there is constant swelling of your hair cuticles due to excess exposure to
water within a short period of time. Whenever you wash your hair or dunk it
under water it goes through a process of swelling and contracting. The hair’s
cuticle should not be going through the process of being wet every day unless
it needs a moisture treatment. Of which you should be able to tell when your
hair has had enough. I read up on the rubber band analogy years ago. It simply
explains that. The more you stretch a rubber band the weaker it gets as time
goes by and after sometime, it no longer returns to its original size. It gets
weaker and weaker and one faithful day, you stretch it and it snaps. Now
envision that stretching as your hair’s cuticle opening and closing constantly,
after some time, it is bound to break. Loss of elasticity, excessive frizz,
limp and mushy hair all indicators of hygral fatigue.
How to rectify and Prevent hygral fatigue
Protein treatments are your
one stop shop to rectifying this issue and even preventing it. It’s important
to find a protein-moisture balance and maintain it. Protein works to strengthen
the cuticle and this ensures that your hair is strong enough to be able to
retain length. Preventive steps aid your hair’s health in the long run. Protein
treatments come in many forms. Aphogee reconstructor is a well-known one.
Lookout for reparative deep conditioners if you don’t want a full on protein
treatment.
Thanks for reading x
Daisy Emenike
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