Having thin or fine hair is a constant battle against gravity! Whether you're dealing with genetics, aging, or environmental factors, thin hair can leave you feeling frustrated. Fear not! With the right techniques, you can transform your thin hair into voluminous locks like you’ve never had before. Whether you're seeking tips on choosing the right haircut, incorporating nourishing treatments for your scalp, or mastering the art of styling, this holistic guide has you covered.
Assessing Your Hair
The first step is determining your hair type. Yes, you already know your hair is thin, but many other factors contribute to your hair type. For instance, is it oily or dry? This answer will inform the products and treatments that are most suitable for you. You have an oily scalp if your hair roots appear greasy and lie close to the scalp. But if you detect residue or notice flaking skin off, it's likely that your scalp is dry.
Also, are your strands low porosity or high porosity? Porosity measures the hair's ability to both absorb and hold moisture, which is largely genetics but can also be affected by heat or chemical treatments. Grab a few strands of clean hair from your brush or comb. Drop them into a glass of water and leave them there for a few minutes. If the strands float, it suggests you probably have low-porosity hair. If they sink, it indicates your hair is likely to have high porosity.
Make Lifestyle Changes
- Color and Heat Habits: Consider your bleaching routine and how often you use heat styling tools, as these factors can affect the health and appearance of your hair.
- Medications: Take into account any medical conditions or medications you're currently taking, as these can impact the health of your hair. Plus, lack of sleep, excess stress, and smoking can affect your strands.
- Dietary Considerations: Evaluate your diet and ensure you get essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, biotin, protein, iron, zinc, and staying hydrated, as these are crucial for healthy hair growth.
- Wash Less: The fact is you shouldn’t be washing your hair every single day. We understand that everyone’s hair varies regarding texture and oil production, but overwashing can cause major issues. Instead, try to wash only two to three times per week. Utilize hair products like dry shampoo and texturizing spray in between washes.
- Turn Down the Heat: Hot tools are undoubtedly a blessing, but they can wreak havoc on healthy hair. When used incorrectly, the heat-styling tools can cause hair to become thin and brittle. We recommend turning down the heat on your blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands to combat this. Most hot tools should be set around the 320-350-degree range.
Find the Right Cut
Because long locks often weigh down hair at the scalp, lengthy hair can fall flat. Thankfully, a haircut works wonders. A bob creates the illusion of volume and fullness when done correctly. Blunt bobs, angled bobs, classic lobs, and dense pixies are all cuts that will add extra fullness to the ends of the hair.
Layered hair creates the illusion of extra volume. The choppy layers create fullness and body. Many stylists recommend this cut for those with fine or thin hair because it holds shapes and emphasizes thickness at the ends of the hair. If you’re not quite ready for a short style, add layers instead!
A common mistake anyone can make is pulling your hair up too tightly. While everyone likes a sleek look, keeping your hair in a high and tight style is not good for your locks. If you pull too hard or keep your hair in a too-tight hairstyle, your hair will start thinning and falling out. Try loose buns and braids, or wear your hair down.
And there's no harm in cheating a bit. If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite celebrities look so good, it’s because they most likely wear hair extensions. With the right stylist and extensions, your hair can go from thin and stringy to long and luscious in hours. If you’ve never considered getting clip-in extensions, now is the time! Sew-in and tape-in extensions will damage your hair, but clip-ins will protect your fine hair while simultaneously adding length. The best part? You don’t need a stylist to help you with clip-ins, so you can do it yourself.
The Perfect Products
Choosing the right products is crucial for making thin hair look fuller. Lightweight volumizing shampoos and conditioners can add body without weighing hair down while root-lifting sprays and mousses provide lift and support at the roots. Additionally, texturizing powders or dry shampoos add grip and volume to your roots while extending the time you can wait between washes. Here are some of our favorite products to promote thick hair:
- Multi-Peptide Serum
- Boar Bristle Brush
- Dry Shampoo
- Thickening Shampoo
- Deep Conditioner
- Texturizing Spray
- Heat Protectant
- Mousse
- Soft-Hold Hairspray
For oily scalps, avoid heavy products that can flatten thin hair and opt for formulas specifically designed to enhance volume and thickness. You can achieve fuller-looking locks that exude vitality and bounce by selecting quality products tailored to your hair's needs.
Color Hacks
Unfortunately, dyeing your thin hair can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Your hair lets the color bleed out pretty fast, but you also can’t dye your hair very often. Do you deal with roots or a bad fade? Consult with a hairstylist to discuss options for your hair—just don’t color-treat it more than every six to eight weeks.
A good solution for hair-dyeing problems is getting a color that will grow out nicely. When you can’t get regular touch-ups, think about how your hair will look in between appointments. Dimensional coloring techniques involve adding light and dark tones at strategic places on your head to make it look naturally voluminous.
As strange as it may seem, highlights can make your hair look thicker. The contrasting hues add dimension and depth, creating an optical illusion that works in your favor. Also, if you’ve never used root powders, now is the time to start. Root powders are no longer only for covering greys but can also create the illusion of thicker hair. Simply find a color that suits you and apply it to your part. No one will know the difference!
Tips and Tricks
- Try Scalp Massages: Stimulate blood flow to the scalp with gentle massage techniques to stimulate blood flow and remove buildup. Massage with a brush or your hands, and consider adding an oil or multi-peptide serum.
- Tease Occasionally: There are two ways to tease hair—correctly and incorrectly. Try teasing with a skinny comb if you want to add fullness without breaking and damaging your hair. Brush hair thoroughly and spray with a texturizing spray before backcombing. Smooth the hair over and set it with a spritz of hairspray.
- Don't Brush When Wet: Your hair is at it's most vulnerable when wet. Have a little patience and let your locks rest before you immediately yank a brush through them after a shower.
