Hydrating Vs Moisturising Hair
It’s easy to think that the terms ‘hydrating’ and ‘moisturising’ are interchangeable when it comes to hair, and if you think the same then you’re wrong. Your hair might be hydrated enough but not moisturised or vice versa. Now, you need to figure out if your scalp and strands need a moisturiser or a hydration treatment to achieve maximum benefits and maintain the health of your hair. So before considering what to buy, let’s understand hydrating vs moisturising hair in detail.
Difference between hydrating and moisturising
• Understanding hydration
Hydration comes on wash day. It is the process of applying water to the hair and this is when your hair becomes fully saturated. It means increasing the absorption of water in your hair follicles and higher level of hydration can make your hair soft, bouncy, and strong. Nothing can truly hydrate your hair like standing under the shower for a long time, allowing the water to penetrate deep within. Hair hydration can also be attained by drinking water, and fluids, and consuming water-rich foods. Any way of replacing the loss of water from your hair is hydration. But on the other hand, what you need to understand is that hydrating your hair isn’t enough as the water will eventually dry out. What you need to do is lock the water into your hair to prevent moisture loss. And here’s where you need a moisturising hair care product to help seal in the moisture.
• Understanding moisturisation
Moisturisation is the process of locking water and hydration in the hair shaft. This can be done by using hair care products, chemical treatments or tools that slow down water evaporating from your hair. While hydration is about absorption, moisturisation is about retention. That’s what hydrating vs moisturising exactly means. Hydrating comes first and moisturising second as you can’t lock something that isn’t already there! The primary way to boost your hair moisture is by using a strengthening shampoo or nourishing conditioner that says ‘moisturising.’ Such products attract, hold and lock water molecules from the environment into your hair, which in turn makes the hair feel healthy and hydrated all the time. Moisturising hair care products can be water-based and also oil-based which are made by using emulsifiers that help water and oil to blend as they do not blend naturally.
How to know if your hair needs hydration?
While it may vary from person to person, your hair type can be an indication of whether it needs hydration. People with straighter hair need less water whereas curly-haired people require more hydration. If your hair dries up quickly, is prone to breakage, and feels dehydrated, it needs hydration. An easy yet effective way to test this is by placing a hair strand in a glass of water. If your hair is porous, it will sink in right away and if it is low in porosity, it will float.
How to know if your hair needs moisturisation?
Understanding if your hair needs moisturisation or hydration can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. In both cases, hair is likely to be dry and brittle but hair that needs moisturisation will also look dull, have split ends and tangle easily. Like hydration, curlier hair will need more moisturisation. Chemically treated hair will also need the same.
So, what are you waiting for? Now that you know the real difference between hydrating vs moisturising, it’s time to browse through a wide range of Garnier haircare products and pamper your hair with the love and care it needs!