This article explores the science behind the hair growth cycle, providing a clear understanding of each stage and its impact on hair health.
Updated on April 24, 2025 | 10 min read
Healthy hair needs moisture. But too much can send your hair into hygral fatigue- causing issues like frizz, tangles, loss of curl and breakage. If you suspect your strands are oversaturated, we’re breaking down everything to know about hygral fatigue- including the signs to look out for and how to fix this sneaky form of hair damage.
In this Article:
This article explores the science behind the hair growth cycle, providing a clear understanding of each stage and its impact on hair health.
Hygral fatigue is damage to the inside of the hair that happens as a result of getting it wet too often. And it can wreak havoc on your hair if left unchecked. When your hair strands get wet, they absorb the moisture and expand. Then as they dry and release that moisture, strands contract. Repeated expanding and contracting of the hair weakens it, damaging the follicle. Think of hygral fatigue like an elastic band that’s been over-stretched. The way that band eventually loses its elasticity, hygral fatigue causes your damaged hair to lose its.
To understand the science behind hygral fatigue, we need to take a closer look at a strand of hair. Each is made of three layers; the cuticle is the outer layer of the hair, the cortex is the next layer, and the medulla is the soft innermost layer of the hair follicle. For water to enter strands and cause damage, it needs to make it past the protective cuticle and into the cortex. This weakens the bonds that hold your hair’s proteins together, leaving the hair weak and susceptible to a host of unwanted woes.
Hygral fatigue is water damage that happens as a result of strands repeatedly absorbing moisture. Your best chance against it starts with knowing what's causing it. Here are some of the biggest culprits behind hygral fatigue.
Hair type
People with high porosity hair are predisposed to hygral fatigue because their cuticle cells are more distantly spaced making it easier for water to enter the follicle.
Over conditioning
Using deep conditioners or hair masks that are too heavy, using them too often or using them at all puts you at a higher risk of developing hygral fatigue- especially if you already have high porosity hair
Hair damage
Damaged hair is incredibly vulnerable to more damage because of its highly porous state due its weakened structure. If you use heat or chemicals beware of hygral fatigue.
Lost protective oils
Hair contains an oily substance called 18-metil eicosanoic acid that coats follicles, repelling water. Over-washing and using alkaline products can strip this from the hair leaving it open to hygral fatigue.
pH imbalance
If your hair’s pH is unbalanced, your cuticles will never fully close, allowing excessive moisture in and out. Using a pH shampoo will keep your hair balanced between 4.5 and 5.5.
Learning the symptoms of hygral fatigue will help you recognize it in your own hair. Let’s take a closer look at the stress it puts on the hair. The signs of hygral fatigue include-
Lack of elasticity
If your hair stretches without bouncing back, or snaps off easily, your strands may be in hygral fatigue.
Lack of shine
If your hair looks matte and lacklustre, your signs are likely dehydrated, another sign of hygral fatigue.
Frizz
Hygral fatigue causes the hair’s cuticles to lift, for flyaway strands and a lack of smoothness.
Loss of curl pattern
The number one sign of hygral fatigue curly hair is a loss of curl definition or change in texture
By now you may be wondering what the difference is between hair that’s just over-moisturized and hair in hygral fatigue. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to different conditions. Hygral fatigue is actual damage to the hair and over-moisturized refers to using too many moisturizing hair products on your strands at once.
The best hair products for treating and preventing hygral fatigue focus on adding protein to strengthen the hair and help balance moisture. Look for products with ingredients like keratin, rice protein, or amino acids and use a clarifying shampoo to thoroughly cleanse the scalp before applying treatments. Choose formulas made from high-quality natural ingredients like the ones from Davines. Our damage correcting and anti-breakage products help to restore your hair's true texture, while giving it the nourishment, softness and shine it deserves.
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