Yes, you can over-moisturise your hair. Here’s what you need to know about the phenomenon

Ladies, if there’s one thing that goes on in all our minds—it is how to keep our hair moisturised. Dry and frizzy doesn’t just look unsightly, but it’s a sign that your tresses aren’t healthy. We’ve all found hacks to moisturise your hair, but here’s a big question: how much is too much? Because there’s always a chance that your hair can get over-moisturised. 

The phenomenon of over-moisturising your hair is called hygral fatigue. This happens when your hair swells up when wet and shrinks as it dries. This cycle of swelling and shrinking is what causes breakage. So, even when you decide to deep condition your hair, do not keep it on for too long, because it’s going to cause more harm than good. Oh and did we tell you that avoiding protein completely can also cause this condition! 

These are some signs that you are over-moisturising your hair

So, how would you even know that your hair is over-moisturised? First of all, your tresses will have reduced elasticity. For the unversed, elasticity is the result of a balance of moisture and protein in the hair. So, in case your hair does not return to its natural state after pulling when it’s wet, then there’s a high chance that your hair is low in elasticity. 

If you have limp or gummy wet hair, then again it means that your hair is over-moisturised. 

Now that you know the signs, if you think that you might be experiencing over-moisturisation or hygral fatigue, then you must visit a hair care professional as soon as you can. They will be able to help you find a solution, so that your tresses can restore their health. 

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Here’s how to prevent over-moisturising

These are a few things that you need to keep in mind to prevent hygral fatigue. First of all, do not keep your hair saturated in moisturising products for too long. Also, if you use leave-in products, make sure they have been absorbed properly. 

You can also use hair oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil that penetrate into the hair shaft, before shampooing your hair.

The key to avoiding this condition is to maintain a balance between moisture and protein. According to The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair, if the protein structure is fine, then the hair fibre will resist expansion when wet. That’s why make sure to alternate between conditioners that moisturise, and add protein. Make sure to check the labels for ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed keratin, and hydrolyzed silk protein, which will help your hair restore its health.