Just like our bodies come in different shapes and sizes, so does our hair – and each hair type needs special consideration. Whether your hair is naturally curly, wavy, or straight, there are also hair textures to keep in mind. Think: fine, thin, coarse, and so on. Here, we’re addressing those with thin hair.
First off, know that although fine and thin are often used interchangeably, if we’re going to get technical, thin hair means you have less density (or amount) of hair per square inch. Fine hair refers to the actual narrowness in diameter of the hair strand – but you could still have tons of hair on your head.
Of course, every hair type and texture can have a mind of its own, and thin hair may require different things for different types when it comes to styling, cutting, and caring for it. That’s why we talked to hair experts to give us the details on all things thin hair. Whether you’ve been searching for the best shampoo for thin hair, want to learn about the right thin hair treatment for you, or just want to peruse a list of the best products for thin hair, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we’re rounding up everything to know about thin hair and how to care for it.
Experts Featured in This Article
Lars Skjøth is the founder and head research scientist of
Nunzio Saviano is a stylist and owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in NYC.
Miguel Luis is a New York City-based hairstylist at Rita Hazan Salon.
Fabian Lliguin is a hairstylist and cofounder of
How to Care For Thin Hair
If you have thin hair, chances are you shampoo it pretty regularly so it doesn’t get weighed down by oil or products. But you don’t want to overwash and create damage or dryness, so most experts agree that it’s OK to wash thin hair every other day. If you condition, use something lightweight and be sure to keep it away from your scalp, instead focusing from the middle of the hair shaft down to the ends.
When it comes to everyday care, you want to be gentle to preserve and optimize your hair. When brushing, start from the bottom of your hair and work up on small sections at a time, says Lars Skjøth, founder of
How to Style Thin Hair
When it comes to how to style thin hair, there are a few tricks you can try to make it less noticeable. Because your follicles may be spread out a bit, your scalp might be visible. You can create optical illusions to make hair seem fuller, if that’s your objective. “Try parting your hair on the opposite side than normal or use a deep side part,” says hairstylist Nunzio Saviano. This can help create the appearance of extra volume at the crown of the head and conceal thinning areas. He also suggests using root touch-up products like the
Best Products For Thin Hair
Hair goals for thin hair likely involve lift and fullness, so you’ll want to make sure you’re using the correct products for thin hair. If you want to start off with the basics, like the best shampoo for thin hair, we’d suggest the
If you’re looking for a thin hair treatment, we’d suggest trying out a scalp serum like the
Hairstylist Miguel Luis is a fan of using a duo of a thickener like the
You can also opt for a texturizing product to add body, but he warns that overtexturizing can create clumping and thinner-looking hair, so less is more. Also, check the ingredient list on your products. “For styling thin hair, I recommend light products with the least oil possible,” says hairstylist and
If you haven’t had luck with any of these options and you’re looking into possibly testing out hair extensions, in our experience, the best extensions for thin hair are the
Best Haircuts for Thin Hair
Of course, you want to pick a look that you’re into, whether it optimizes your texture and type or not. But if your vision involves creating fullness, then generally speaking, short styles vibe well with thin strands. When hair is longer, it can read stringy. If you do want to go for length, then long layers are best. If hair is extra fine, the trick may be to add extra texture at the crown and choppy layers throughout, Lliguin says.
Luis is a fan of bobs, layered lobs, and choppy pixies to give the illusion of body. Once again, layers are the name of the game to create movement and a flattering shape. Also, be sure to get your hair cut regularly. “The whole point is to not hold onto straggly ends with thin hair,” Luis says. “A clean, fresh cut will always make the hair appear healthy and therefore fuller.”
If you think you’re ready to master how to style thin hair, but you need a little visual imagery to get you started, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some thin hair inspiration photos that show that even if you have thin hair, there are still many ways to style it.
