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How to Manage Fine or Thin Hair

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Key Takeaways

  • Fine hair refers to the thickness of each strand, while thin hair refers to how much hair is on your head.
  • You can make fine or thin hair appear thicker by getting a haircut, blow-drying your hair upside down, using dry shampoo, or getting highlights.
  • Take care of fine hair by visiting the salon for regular haircuts, protecting it from damage, and styling with products that promote a healthy scalp.
  • Manage fine hair with OLAPLEX products designed for damage-prone fine hair types like No.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo and No.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner.

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How to Manage Fine or Thin Hair

Curious about the best ways to keep fine hair healthy and voluminous? Learn more about how to take care of fine or thin hair to keep it moisturized and looking healthy, and full of volume.


Thin Hair vs. Fine Hair: What’s the Difference?

The terms “fine hair” and “thin hair” are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different things. Thinning hair can happen to all hair types, textures, and densities, and may result from hormonal changes, menopause, aging, or stress.

What Is Fine Hair?

With fine hair, the size of the actual strands of hair is narrower than some other types. Some fine hair doesn’t contain the medulla, the innermost structure often, but not always, found in hair. This makes the diameter of each strand smaller than average.


Since fine hair refers to the thickness of the strands, it’s important to note that it has nothing to do with the density (also known as the amount) of hair on your head.

What Is Thin Hair?

Conversely, thin hair is about the density of the hair on your head. In most cases, having thin hair means that the hair follicles on your scalp are farther apart than in other hair types. Your hair could be any texture—from fine and wispy to coarse and coiled—but if you have thin hair, you have fewer individual strands of hair on your head.

How to Tell If You Have Thin Hair vs. Fine Hair?

Determining if you have thin hair vs. fine hair is simple. If you run a strand of hair between your finger and thumb and can’t feel it easily or barely notice it, you likely have fine hair. If you have thin hair, your hair may feel lightweight, and you may notice more of your scalp when standing beneath bright lights. For thinning hair, see your dermatologist.

How to Make Fine Hair Look Thicker

If you want to know how to make fine hair look thicker, you can create the illusion of volume with the right styling techniques like these:

  • Get a haircut. Long hair sometimes makes fine hair look stringy. Visit your salon regularly and talk to your stylist about bobs, lobs, and other hairstyles that make hair appear more voluminous.
  • Blow-dry your hair upside down. By blow-drying your hair upside down, you’ll lift your hair more at the roots and create more volume. You can add more volume to your hair with OLAPLEX® Volumizing Blow Dry Mist.
  • Add a visual lift with highlights. Highlights add dimension and can create the illusion of thicker hair. You can also try baby lights or balayage.
  • Try dry shampoo. An oil buildup can make your hair look flat. OLAPLEX N°.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo can reduce oiliness and help create clean, weightless body in your hair without buildup or white residue.

How to Take Care of Fine Hair

Each hair type and texture has different needs. People with fine or thin hair should follow different haircare routines than those with thick or dense hair. Heavy products can weigh down delicate strands of fine hair, but it can become dry and brittle without proper conditioning. When managing fine hair, it’s important to note that the overproduction of natural oils from the scalp may make hair look greasy and oily.

Use these tips to help you manage fine or thin hair:


  • Protect your hair from damage. Since fine hair is delicate, it can become damaged easily. Pro stylist tip: try a hair serum like OLAPLEX No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum. This serum protects your hair from heat damage and reduces tangles, which can cause breakage when your hair is wet. You may want to limit heat styling as well.
  • Sleep with a silk pillowcase. Silk pillowcases don’t just look chic—they’re an important way to help you manage your fine or thin hair. These pillowcases can help reduce friction, which can prevent tangles and breakage.
  • Get regular haircuts. Fine and thin hair are more likely to get split ends. Regular haircuts help keep your hair strong and healthy looking.
  • Try an ultra-light moisturizing shampoo for fine hair. Oil, product buildup, and dirt can weigh down your hair. Wash with OLAPLEX No.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo for fine hair types. No.4FINE repairs and strengthens hair, while gently cleansing and detangling, and provides body and volume for fine hair.
  • Use an ultra-light moisturizing conditioner for fine hair. For a conditioner that provides weightless hydration for fine hair, try OLAPLEX No.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner. It’s made with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which helps infuse essential hydration without weighing hair down. When applying, focus on the mid-lengths to ends.
  • Avoid tight hairstyles. Tight hairstyles like buns, ponytails, and tight braids can lead to breakage and damage your hair follicles. It’s okay to wear tight hairstyles every now and then, but don’t wear them every day if you want to keep your looking full and healthy.
  • Brush your hair when it's dry before washing. Hair is weaker when wet, making it easier to stretch, snap, or break (wet hair can stretch up to 30% more than dry hair). Use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush. Take the time to massage your scalp, too. This will help with better blood circulation at the follicle, promoting healthier hair.


Now that you know how to take care of fine or thin hair, you can help keep it looking healthy and beautiful. Find more haircare tips or take our Hair Quiz to uncover your personalized OLAPLEX routine.


Sources

  1. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_four_types_of_hair/article.htm 

  2. https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2023/how-to-make-thin-hair-look-thicker.html

  3. https://www.aad.org/tips-healthy-hair

  4. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/hairstyles

  5. https://www.menshealth.com/grooming/a34825057/fine-hair-vs-thin-hair/

  6. https://trichologists.org.uk/understanding-the-hair/