[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Thin or fine hair can be a blessing and a curse. Although having less to work with could enhance your hair styling game, you must take extra measures to maintain a healthy mane. So, what causes thin hair and how can you care for and style it without causing damage? Here's everything you should know for creating a fuller look from thin strands.
What causes thin hair?
Whether you have thin hair often depends on genetics and other factors outside your control. Consider how hair thickness
changes as you age due to hormone fluctuations. Additional reasons could include:
- Infection or other sickness
- Pregnancy
- Autoimmune disorder
- Immense stress
- Medicine, such as some antidepressants or chemotherapy
- Anesthesia
Sometimes, thin hair results from damaging products, tools and styling techniques. For example, your hair might thin if you constantly pull it back in a tight ponytail. Applying excessive heat could also create split ends.
The average person loses
50-100 strands of hair daily, which might seem like a lot to someone with fine hair. If you're concerned you're losing more, speaking to your doctor or dermatologist is a good idea.
7 Ways to care for and style thin locks
Thin hair can be frustrating to work with. Fortunately, you can try several simple and natural styling tips for luscious locks. Learn to love your thinner strands with these seven hair care strategies.
1. Use volumizing products
Volumizing products — from shampoos to conditioners to hairspray — are your best friend when working with thin strands. These items give limp hair a much-needed lift to look thicker and fuller.
Of course, choose products wisely and use only a few at a time to avoid dullness and buildup. Pacifica's Root 10-in-1 Volumizer is an excellent product for your hair regimen. This spray includes
ginger extracts to stimulate follicles and create a thicker appearance.
Concentrate on the roots when you use this product. Then, use a blow dryer to lift the strands and style as you would normally.
2. Wash with a clarifying shampoo
Whatever
shampoo products you buy, being strategic about their application is essential. Gentle shampoos are milder and retain the scalp's natural moisture, helping to minimize breakage.
The Native Daily Clean Shampoo is an excellent option. It
contains only 10 ingredients, including citric acid to balance your follicles' pH.
Clarifying products protect your hair but still remove built-up residue from products, hard water minerals and excess natural oils — all of which weigh your thin hair down. You'll also find your hair easier to style when freshly cleaned.
3. Avoid styling tools
Your hair straightener might be an essential item in your beauty collection. However, hot styling tools can seriously damage thin hair. In fact, blow dryers and curling irons are just as detrimental to achieving healthier, thicker-looking locks.
Your best option is to allow your hair to air dry. Otherwise, opt for a heat protectant spray before using a blow dryer or flat iron. These sprays prevent your hair from turning brittle and frizzy.
Heat protectants create a barrier between cuticles and the styling tool. Depending on the product you buy, it could contain polymers, wheat proteins and silicones. According to beauty expert Esther Olu, the sprays
lock in moisture and prevent hair-splitting, similar to how sunscreen prevents skin damage.
For a natural approach, avocado, coconut and almond oil are excellent DIY alternatives for fine hair. Avocado oil can
withstand 520 degrees Fahrenheit — although you should keep your heat settings as low as possible.
4. Try shorter haircuts
While you may dream of long, thick strands, a shorter haircut will completely change the appearance of thin hair. You don't have to opt for a pixie or buzz cut — unless you want to — but taking off the length will make it look less flat.
Some stylish haircuts for thinner locks include:
- One-length cuts with side-swept bangs
- Layers and angles
- Above-the-shoulder choppy bob
- Shoulder-length bob
- Fringed strands with longer bangs
- Classic long bob
- Blunt bob
Some people worry about how to style short hair. However, cutting it and using a texturizing product makes it look fuller.
5. Use conditioner sparingly
Conditioner hydrates your hair and shields it from damage. For most people, conditioner products make styling hair more manageable — yet those with fine hair might disagree.
The trick is to use less conditioner to prevent limp or greasy hair. Buy a lightweight product designed for fine strands. For example, the Aveeno Fresh Greens Blend Conditioner is ideal, as it contains a
volumizing agent without harsh parabens, sulfates or dyes.
Only apply a small amount of conditioner — about the size of a penny or nickel — and avoid the roots. Focus on the ends and mid-length area, depending on how your strands typically react.
6. Blow dry upside down
When styling thin hair, sometimes the best strategy is to blow dry it upside down. This technique adds bouncy volume by drying the hair away from the scalp. Overall, your hair should look bigger than it actually is.
However, this technique is most effective for pulling out the dampness. Gently squeeze as much water as possible with a fresh towel and dry on a low-to-medium setting. You should finish styling as you usually would upright.
7. Freshen up with dry shampoo
If you're rushing out the door or were sweating throughout the day, a volumizing or textured dry shampoo could refresh and revive your locks.
Dry shampoo absorbs moisture and allows you to maintain your hair between washes. Like all other products, purchasing a volumizing dry shampoo is best.
Apply the product lightly to the roots, where your scalp is most oily. If you've never used dry shampoo before, spray along your hairline and part and massage it into your scalp for better results. Applying too much could have the opposite effect, causing excess buildup.
When finished, flip your hair over and ruffle it to create volume. You can also use a blow dryer to achieve your desired look.
Love the thin hair you're given
Fine hair can be beautiful. There are many ways to make thin hair appear fuller. Focus on maximizing your hair's health and embrace your texture with prop[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175016" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1715617630602{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/aveeno-fresh-greens-blend-conditioner"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175015" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1715617667236{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/pacifica-natural-beauty-ginger-root-10-in-1-hair-volumizer"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175014" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1715617694426{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/acure-dry-shampoo-brunette-to-dark"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]