Your Hair Type

The Different Hair Types

Even though they are two very different areas, both of them have moisture supply and retention that is controlled by the sebaceous (oil) glands. It only makes sense that these glands would function the same on the face and in the hair.

Dry Hair Type

If any of the following apply to you, your hair type may very well be classified as dry.

• Dry scalp or dandruff
• You only have to wash your hair a couple of times a week
• Your face tends to be drier
• Your scalp is sensitive and you've noticed that your hair is easily damaged
• You have dark, very thick, or curly hair
• Your hands become dry and are often chapped • Your hair is extremely easy to style

As you can see, the signs of your type being dry are not all bad. There are some benefits to having dry hair, just as there are benefits of having drier skin. Teenagers rarely have dry hair; it tends to be oily just like their complexion. This is all thanks to hormones that are kicking it in high gear during the teen years.

While there are a small percentage of teens that have hair that is naturally dry, most teens with dry hair have caused it to be that way. Washing too frequently, excessive heat, and chemicals can cause hair to dry out. If your hair is dry due to external factors, which does not necessarily mean that your hair is dry. There are ways to decipher whether your hair is naturally dry or not:

• If the hair shaft is dry, dull, and breaks easily, your hair is simply dry due to the lack of moisture that results from external factors such as harsh chemical treatments
• Naturally dry hair will have a shaft that is still long and strong, and will resist breaking

Oily Hair Type

If you are trying to determine if your hair type is oily, consider the following things;

• Is your complexion oily and prone to acne and breakouts?
• Does your hair have to be washed daily to avoid that greasy look and feel? • Is your hair almost impossible to style? Once you get it styled do you notice that it doesn't hold?
• Is there dandruff present? (This particular condition can show up in all hair types, so don't use this as your sole determining factor).

If you found yourself shaking your head in frustrated agreement to the questions above, your hair type is most likely oily. If you are a teenager, it is almost certain that you have this particular hair type.

As mentioned before, hormones are to blame for the fact that most teens have an oily hair type. While oily hair requires lots of washing and doesn't hold style too well, it also has its benefits. If your hair type is oily, it generally looks healthier and has that natural shine that everybody wants. It can also handle a lot more processing and chemical treatments than dry hair can.

Watch Video to see the top 5 hair care products chosen by Cosmo Beauty Director Inge

Your Hair Type
Updated December 6, 2011

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