Tips for Thin Hair
- Samantha Stevens
- Sep 4, 2024
- 4 min read
As a thin hair girlie, I know that there is a struggle getting our hair to work FOR us, and not against. I do believe with the right knowledge and tools; fine hair can be much easier to manage than thick! In this blog post, I'll provide you with some tips and
tricks I've learned over the years.
WASHING YOUR HAIR, BABY!
Did you know there's a right and wrong way to wash your hair? Proper technique is crucial for thin hair.
Rinse your scalp with lukewarm water to remove a significant amount of dirt.
Then, wash your scalp thoroughly TWICE with shampoo. Instead of rubbing your scalp, gently massage it.
Use conditioner to detangle knots more easily. Only use conditioner on your ends unless it is specially formulated for the scalp. Conditioner can weigh the hair down and make it appear greasy if used on roots. Patiently wait for the 5-minute treatment time and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Carefully squeeze the water out of your hair and wrap it in a soft towel or even a cotton t-shirt. Do not rub or scrub at your hair with a towel, this can cause breakage.
Dry your hair with a medium-heat hairdryer – never let it air dry. Sounds crazy right? Air drying can actually lead the hair to feel greasier faster.
The Right Haircut.
Thin hair, if cut improperly, often lies flat and hangs lifelessly. Besides the right haircut, it’s important to pay attention to what length your hair can handle. Generally, shorter hairstyles like a bob or pixie cut suit this hair type really well! However, if you prefer long hair, opt for a medium-length, fuller style. I personally wear my hair long and find that getting routine trims helps immensely with the fullness on the ends.
Thinking About Bangs?
Thin hair and bangs go together like peanut-butter and jelly! You can let them hang over your eyebrows or have them cut shorter. Wear them tousled or choose unevenly cut, textured bangs if your style is bolder. Once you’ve chosen the right bangs, keep in mind that they require more frequent washing and styling than the rest of your hair. Maintenance trims are also required, don't go chopping on them yourself! (Okay, you can try your hand at it, I don't make the rules.)
Air Styling!
Thin hair usually goes flat beyond a certain length. If you prefer a voluminous hairstyle, you need to learn how to style it to make it look fuller. Use a round brush to lift your hair at the roots while drying. You can also use a few hair rollers on top of your head for volume.
The Truth About Products
If there's ever a hair type that ABSOLUTELY changes depending on the products used, it's thin hair. Your product choices will be the lifeline for your length. Everyone's hair is different, so what you see someone using online may not work the best for your personal hair needs. Seek out a hairstylist that can prescribe you with all of the necessary products to get you the most out of your investment.
What's Happening Internally, Shows Externally.
If you think your hair is thinner than usual, breaking easily, or not the same as it once was, seek out a Trichology clinic to help. At my clinic, we do a full consultation that includes health information, hair analysis scans, microscopic imaging, and try to find the root cause of hair thinning/loss. Our hair is the last thing to receive any internal nutrients, because your body sends all vitamins and minerals to the life sustaining organs first. We are born with only a certain amount of hair follicles, so thin hair cannot be "turned thick", but if you feel as though breakage or hair loss is your issue, these things can be turned around.
Eating right and focusing on a healthy diet will also improve the overall look and feel of your hair. Calendula tea strengthens the hair and gives volume to flat hair, while nettle helps the suffocating scalp breathe. There are so many things that can be added or removed from the diet to help.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Let's talk about it. What are we going to avoid doing to maintain every hair we can?
Avoid tight hairstyling: ponytails, braids, headbands, anything that can lead to breakage.
Middle parts: with thin hair, a side part can really help add some volume. We want to appear as full as possible!
Extreme hair coloring: thin hair is prone to damage, and the more we lighten, color, etc. will only make it worse. I've limited my blonding to only the front sections of my hair and getting a full foil about once a year. This has helped tremendously!
Using excessive amounts of hair products: less is more! We aren't looking to weigh our hair down.
Now you know some of my tricks! Starting small and implementing one or two of these things is sure to bring about a change in your hair. If you would like to know more and have a custom consultation either in my hair clinic or the salon, you can book one with the button below. Best of luck in your hair journey!
-Sam, Trichologist/Cosmetologist
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