Some cuts and styles are better suited to thin or thick hair, so it's important to know which one you have. With my mom's thin hair, there are cuts that she wants, but she can never pull off. Likewise, I have to be mindful of the styles I want because of how thick my hair is.
THIN HAIR VS THICK HAIR
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THICK HAIR AND THIN HAIR?
You might think that your hair is thick if you have a lot of hair, but that's not necessarily true. Thick or thin hair doesn't refer to the density of your hair. It refers to the actual width of each strand of hair. Density refers to how close the hair follicles are to each other on your scalp.
So yes, it is possible to have thin hair and still break ponytail holders because your hair is dense.
HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE THICK HAIR OR THIN HAIR
Telling the difference is easy. Just take one strand of hair and look at it. If it' thin, you have thin hair. If it's thick, you have thick hair. If you're not sure, ask your stylist or compare it to a friend's hair.
To check for density, just look in a mirror. If can see parts of your scalp, then your hair has a low density. If you can't see your scalp, you have a high density.
I actually have both thin and thick strands, one from each parent. My thick strands are curly from my dad's side, and my thin strands are super straight from my mom's side. I have more thick strands than thin, so I consider my hair to be thick. I also have a thick density.
THICK AND THIN HAIR PROBLEMS
Both hair types have the pros and cons.
If you have thin hair, you probably have to redo your ponytail or hair clips constantly because they just don't hold. Your hair might also get greasy if you use the wrong conditioner. Your hair probably won't hold a curl, either.
If you have thick hair, it can take forever to dry. Even blow drying your hair can take a long time! You will also have problems with hair accessories but that's because they just aren't big enough for your hair. (I really like these longer hair clips because they hold better.)
TIPS FOR THIN HAIR AND THICK HAIR
Luckily, there are some easy tips that you can use to help you deal with your hair. Use a salt spray on thin hair to give it more texture. You can use it all over or just where your hair accessory will go. If you blow dry your hair, flip your hair over and blow dry from the underside for more volume. Use products made for fine hair to help give your hair volume.
If you have thick hair, try adding layers so your hair doesn't look too full. I get mine thinned. When it grows out, it still looks natural. Longer styles are a good option because the length adds weight that pulls your hair down to tame it.
THINGS TO AVOID
If you have thin hair, try to use a lot of product because it weighs down your hair. Also don't cut your hair in layers. If you use conditioner, apply it just at the ends.
For thick hair, don't wash your hair every day. You want your natural oils to condition your hair. Use a good brush. My favorite is the Wet brush. Try to avoid blow drying your hair because it will add volume.
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