Healthy Hair: What Is It?

Healthy hair was generally perceived to be shiny with a smooth texture and clean-cut ends or tapered tips, relating to hair surface properties and the hair cortex. Hair's natural variations, including texture and color, were important to identity but often manipulated due to cultural and fashion influences, leading to potential damage such as loss of luster, frizz, and split ends. These issues were more common in individuals who frequently altered their hair or had intrinsically weak hair due to genetic or racial factors. Hair health was also impacted by scalp conditions and age-related changes like graying and androgenetic alopecia. Various hair products were available to improve structural integrity, tensile strength, volume, manageability, and stimulate new hair growth.