Our hair comes in a variety of forms and sizes, just like our bodies do, and each type requires unique attention. There are several hair textures to consider, regardless of whether your hair is naturally curly, wavy, or straight. Fine, thin, coarse, and so forth come to mind. We’re talking about people with thin hair here.
First of all, keep in mind that while fine and thin are frequently used synonymously, thin hair actually refers to having less hair density, or quantity, per square inch. You can have a lot of hair on your head and still have fine hair, which is defined as a hair strand that is really narrower in diameter.
Naturally, each texture and kind of hair can be unique, and different varieties of thin hair may require different style, cutting, and maintenance techniques. For this reason, we spoke with hair specialists to get the lowdown on everything related to thin hair. We have everything you need, whether you’re looking for the finest shampoo for thin hair, want to know which treatment is ideal for you, or just want to browse a list of the top products for thin hair. We’ve included all the information you need to know about thin hair and how to take care of it here.
How to Manage Thin Hair
You probably shampoo your thin hair quite a bit to keep it from becoming burdened down by products or oil. But most experts believe that washing thin hair every other day is OK because you don’t want to overwash and cause damage or dryness. When conditioning, use a little product and avoid getting it near your scalp. Instead, work from the middle of the hair shaft to the ends.
To protect and enhance your hair, you should be delicate when giving it daily care. The inventor of Harklinikken, a company renowned for its treatment regimen to promote the growth of longer, thicker hair, Lars Skjøth, advises starting at the bottom of your hair and working your way up to little portions at a time when brushing. Also, take it lightly on damp hair: “Water weakens the bonds within strands of hair, removing up to one-third of its strength,” he says. “Wet or damp hair can therefore be more easily broken, ripped, or torn out when combing or brushing.”
Options for Styling Narrow Hair
There are a few techniques you can try to style thin hair to make it less obvious. Your scalp may be apparent since your follicles may be slightly dispersed. If you want your hair to appear fuller, you can use optical illusions to achieve that. Hairstylist Nunzio Saviano advises clients to “try parting their hair on the opposite side than normal or use a deep side part.” This can help cover up thinning regions and provide the appearance of more volume at the crown of the head. In order to cover up any noticeable sparseness in your portion, he also advises utilising root touch-up products, such as the Rita Hazan Root Concealer Touch Up Spray ($12).
Popular Items for Thin Hair
Lift and fullness are probably the two main aims for thin hair, so be sure you’re utilising the right products for thin hair. The Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine and Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo for Fine and Thinning Hair ($32) is a great place to start if you’re looking for the best shampoo for thin hair. Editor-tested, we think this is the ideal shampoo for thin hair.
We recommend checking out a scalp serum like the Vegamour Gro Hair Serum ($26, originally $64), which acts to soothe the scalp and minimise shedding, if you’re searching for a treatment for thin hair.
Hairstylist Miguel Luis loves to use the Oribe Thick Dry Finishing Spray ($44) as a volumizer and the Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray ($46) as a thickening. “I use the thickening spray on damp hair at the root to create lift and the finishing spray on dry hair to add overall fullness to the style,” he explains. To use the finishing spray, Luis’s approach calls for turning the head over. “If I forget, trust me, my clients will remind me,” he continues.
To add body, you may also use a texturizing product, but be careful—less is more when it comes to texturizing because too much of it can make your hair look thinner and clumpy. Examine your products’ ingredient lists as well. Hairdresser and Rahua cofounder Fabian Lliguin adds, “I recommend light products with the least amount of oil possible for styling thin hair.” It should be noted that using a clarifying shampoo like Nunzio Saviano Detox Hair & Scalp Gentle Shampoo ($32) once a week could be a good idea if you use a lot of style products on a regular basis in order to get rid of buildup.
In our opinion, the Luxy Hair Clip-Ins ($235) are the greatest hair extensions for thin hair if none of these solutions have worked for you and you’re thinking about giving them a try. After using the brand, one of our editors with thin hair was pleased with the outcome.
Popular Hairstyles for Thin Hair
Naturally, you should choose a look that appeals to you, regardless of whether it best suits your texture and type. Still, short styles often work well with thin strands if your goal is to create fullness. Longer hair could appear stringy. Long layers work best if you really want to go longer. According to Lliguin, adding more texture at the crown and jagged layers throughout the hair may be the trick if the hair is exceptionally fine.
Luis likes layered lobs, choppy pixies, and bobs because they provide the appearance of body. Once more, the key to creating movement and a pleasing shape is layering. Make sure to routinely get your hair cut as well. “The whole point is to not hold onto straggly ends with thin hair,” adds Luis. “A clean, fresh cut will always make the hair appear healthy and therefore fuller.”
We can help if you feel like you’re ready to learn how to style thin hair but need some inspiration to get you started. We’ve compiled a collection of thin hair inspiration images below that demonstrate the variety of styles available for people with thin hair.