Think Your Hair Is Healthy. Find out

Here are some clues that will help you to analyze the health

 of your hair. 

Take these simple tests to find out if your strands need saving — and how to keep your hair healthy. 

Strength

Strong strands can stand up to brushing and styling without breaking. "Strength is one of the main signs of hair health, because if it's not strong, you can't do much with it," says Madame Claude.

The test: When it's wet, stretch a strand of your hair. "Hair is at its weakest when wet," says Claudia, "so if it breaks with little effort, it's unhealthy. If it snaps back without breaking, it's in good shape."

The fix: Build up strength by using products that contain keratin, a structural protein that already exists in the skin and hair. "It fills in grooves in the hair cuticle [the outer layer of the hair] and strengthens it," says Madame Claude. . Be careful not to overdo , however, because proteins "can build up on the hair, harden the cuticle, and eventually become stronger than the hair itself, which can cause breakage," . For best results, ask our hairstylists to recommend a protein product that would be the most suitable for your hair type and how to use it and how often..

Shine 

That mirror-shiny hair being flung  around in TV commercials doesn't just sell shampoo, it's shouts "hair health." "If your hair is shiny, it means that the hair cuticle is lying flat, which allows the hair to reflect light," says Madame Claude. When hair is damaged,  the cuticle is damaged — either roughened or chipped away and won't reflect light, so hair looks dull.

 If you can't tell whether your hair is shiny by looking at it there isa simple test. First wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and don't condition. Then place a strand of hair in a glass of cold water and wait five minutes. If your hair floats, it has low porosity, which is a good. This  indications that your cuticle is healthy. If it sinks,  your hair is very porous, which means that the cuticles are open and won't reflect light

 The easiest way to restore shine is simply to brush your hair using a boar-bristle brush, which distributes the natural, protective oils from your scalp down the hair shaft. Or use silicone-based products, which smooth down the cuticle to help reflect light. Additionally, use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove dulling buildup from styling products. 

Smoothness

Frizz-free hair  — it also means your hair is healthy. Smoothness depends on healthy cuticles that lie flat and retain moisture, which prevents hair from becoming dry, rough, and dull

 Take a strand of hair and run your thumb and index fingers over it a couple of times, paying close attention to the feel of the cuticle. "If the hair feels rough, it's a sign of dryness and damage," says Claudia. "Your hair may also be damaged if you also notice a difference in texture from one section of hair to another, and from root to end."
One fix for this is to start brushing with a tool that has smooth synthetic bristles and a cushioned paddle. "Synthetic bristles cause less friction to the hair than other types of bristles, and in turn help eliminate frizz and flyaways,"  Madame Claude recommends regular use of deep conditioners and leave-in treatments, which will help smooth down the cuticle and restore the  moisture to the hair.

. Elasticity

Elasticity is a measure of your hair's ability to snap back into its original state after being stretched, and it means your locks have good moisture levels much like porocity.

 Take a strand of your hair and hold it with one hand. With your other hand, run the thumbnail and the nail of your index finger quickly down the hair (the way you'd curl a ribbon with scissors) to create a tight coil. Then gently pull the hair straight for 10 seconds and release. "If your hair returns almost completely to the curl pattern, you're in good shape," says Claudia. "If it returns to half or less than half of the curl, your hair has poor elasticity."
 Try a treatment that features proteins. "Any conditioners containing protein, such as wheat protein or keratin, will help hair become stronger and more flexible," . However, be careful not to go overboard with these products — the protein can build up with repeated use and the weight can actually cause breakage.

Discuss this with our stylist to determine the right products and proper amount of treatments necessary.

Vibrancy

Whether you rely on Coloring your hair color or it's natural , the quality of the color has more to do with your hair's shine than its actual shade. If the hair cuticles lack moisture and don't lie flat, even the richest of browns can look lifeless.

Use the same test that you did for shine. First wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo and don't condition. Place a strand of hair in a glass of cold water and wait five minutes. If your hair floats, your hair porosity is low, which is a good sign. If it sinks, your hair is very porous, which means that it won't reflect light and your color will look dull.

This can be an easy fix by using  a tinted or clear glaze once or twice a month, says Claudia, to restore shine and add dimension to your color.

This model is 38 years old

Beautiful Greys

Whether you've have a few gray hairs or you've gone full-on silver, gray hair can look healthy and graceful The key is to lock in moisture since the follicles of gray hair produce a lot  less oil, making the hair feel dry and coarse, explains Claudia. "There also may be changes to the root of the hair, or there may be changes that occur to the outer layer of the hair shaft in general," explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
The test: Simply compare any gray hairs you have with your other strands — if they have a different texture, it can mean they're in need of hydration and protein moisture. Grey hair actually needs more care and products.
The fix is to use  clear glazes, which will coat the hair, give it shine, and make it more manageable," says Madame Claude If you have grey hair and you'd like to cover them, consult our professional colorists for best results.

Flake Free Scalp

Unless you're prepared to wear a wardrobe of white for the foreseeable future, it's time to take care of that dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis. This scalp irritation can be more than an annoyance — it can have lasting effects because it "can interfere with hair growth and lead to hair breakage and loss," says Dr. Zeichner.

Take a toothbrush and brush a section of your scalp back and forth six times. "If the skin feels irritated and flakes fall out of it, your scalp is inflamed," Zeichner says. Also, look to see if there are any sensitive red spots, or "plaques," which may indicate psoriasis. In this case, see your dermatologist.

 Luckily, Redken  dandruff Shampoo and conditioner works amazingly and it does not dry out the hair and make it dull like 99% of the shampoos and conditioners available on the market. This shampoo contains selenium sulfide, 1 percent zinc pyrithione, or 1 percent ketoconazole, which can calm the scalp and rid it of flakes. "While the treatments are called shampoos, it's best to use them as liquid scalp therapies, so lather and let the shampoo sit on the scalp for five minutes, then rinse," says Claudia. 

Not all flaking and irritation is caused by the prior conditions mentioned in the prior paragraphs.

Other reasons for flaky, itchy, and/or irritated scalp:

• This condition can be caused by using to harsh of shampoos for your hair and scalp.
• Being exposed to a very dry environment for prolonged times
• Not thoroughly rinsing out shampoos and/or conditioners, which will leave a residue on the hair and scalp.

If any of these are the cause...the solutions are use a more hydrating shampoo and conditioner and thoroughly rinse the products out of your hair.