BEAUTY
How To Differentiate Between Breakage And New Growth Hair
By MASIE O'TOOLE
Flyaways, or short pieces of hair that you see sticking up on humid days, are often assumed to be broken hairs brought on by damage. While some flyaways can be due to breakage, they can also be a sign of new, healthy hair growth, and differentiating between the two can help you manage your hair better.
To determine if your flyaways are the result of damage or new growth, pull your hair into a low ponytail to let the shorter pieces stick out. Standing in front of a mirror in a well-lit area, gently feel the strands — damaged hair will feel coarse and dry, with a few lumps and bumps, whereas new growth will feel smooth.
You can also take a look at the ends of your flyaways to see what you’re dealing with. Broken hair will have a blunt, flat edge or a split end, and it may also have a small dot that appears lighter than the rest of your hair. New growth, on the other hand, will be the same color as your hair and taper off at the end.
If your flyaways are all in one area, especially towards the crown of your head, they’re likely the result of breakage from consistently wearing a too-tight ponytail or a damaging hair tie. However, if the flyaways are scattered all over your head and are of similar lengths, then they’re simply new strands filling up the spaces.