How to strengthen fine hair
Photos Rachelle Simoneau
Words Anthony Vincent
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A few easy tips for washing, strengthening, and styling fine hair.
Whether it’s straight or curly, if your hair is too fine it can be a challenge, because of its general lack of volume and overall fragility.
Fine hair: why and how
Hair strands with a smaller diameter than normal or thick hair strands are considered fine, and this is also why they are more fragile. This fineness is often down to genetic factors, which determine the amount of hair strands on a person’s head, as well as their width, and waviness. Fine hair strands have a diameter which is closer to 0.04 mm; 0.1 mm is the average hair width range.
On top of having individually fine hair strands, people with fine hair sometimes have sparse hair density. In general, men have anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 hair strands on their head. Some men are unfortunately closer to the low estimate, with individually fine strands compounding this. With time, hair can sometimes fall out, progressively showing more and more scalp, and in some cases, being the opening act to partial or full baldness. To avoid these predicaments, take care of your fine hair. Thankfully, that only requires a few easy steps.
Less washing = more strength
Because fine hair is fragile, it should be washed with caution. However, it shouldn’t be shampooed any more than three times per week, and if possible, less. This helps take care of your hair, resting it - thereby reducing the risk of it shedding - and protecting your scalp, which won’t produce as much sebum.
A gentle shampoo that’s specific to fine hair, i.e., shampoo that contains no aggressive sulfates, will keep your hair clean without damaging it. The rice protein in our shampoo helps to add volume to fine hair, while glycerin softens and improves hair feel. It’s silicone- and paraben-free and contains no ingredients that might weigh your hair down or make it dry.
After washing your hair, apply some conditioner. Letting it absorb into your hair and scalp for a couple of minutes will strengthen both. Fine hair can be normal, oily, dry or very dry, so take care to select a conditioner that’s adapted to your hair type as well as to its thickness. There’s no need to worry about weighing your hair down as the conditioner should be rinsed out after 3 minutes, revealing strong and tamed hair.
Once a week, when you find the time to do it, you should treat your hair to some extra care, such as a protein hair mask to strengthen your hair’s keratin, thereby making it less vulnerable to environmental stimuli. We recommend applying this mask before washing your hair, to make sure you thoroughly rinse it out (after letting it absorb for the required amount of time) and avoid weighing down your hair.
Dry your hair upside down for more volume
When it comes to hair volume, drying is crucial. Vigorously drying your hair with a towel will weaken it and increase the shedding of the most fragile strands. Instead, try softly dabbing your hair with a microfiber towel to absorb most of the water.
Once you’ve done this first step, you can either let your hair dry itself - which is best for its health and volume - or finish the job with a hairdryer. Keep your head upside down while you comb your hair with your fingers, from the roots outward, while using the hairdryer on its lowest heat setting. The end result? Maximum volume and no damage. Adios flat hair !
Use styling products smartly for increased density
Our texturizing hair styling spray will give you a texture boost. The salt it contains will give your hair volume and a relaxed, textured look. Its glycerine, panthenol, and acacia will keep your hair styled and healthy. This spray is super light, so you can use it with the wax pomade if you’re looking for a strong hold, or the cream pomade for a medium one. Remember to use these products sparingly, as there’s only so much fine hair can take. Both these pomades contain natural waxes that help structure and tone your hair fiber for more volume.
Choose a cut that suits your hair best
As a general rule, cuts that blend two different hair lengths tend to make fine hair look thicker, due to the layering. Any form of undercut - short on the sides and back and long on top, for the uninitiated - is a good place to start if you want to make fine hair stand out. If you’re looking for a super practical answer to all your fine hair issues, you could also go for a buzzcut.
You’ll never get your hair to suddenly become thicker. Therefore, your only alternative is to take care of it, add volume and strengthen it without weighing it down. All you need is a few tips and the right products to show your gene pool you’re not easily defeated. Go you!
