How to care for thin fragile hair

Like most things, thin hair has its pros and cons. For instance, drying your hair doesn’t take ages, the wet look and slicked styles look amazing on ultra-thin hair and are easily achievable compared to other hair types. Not bad after all is it?

On the other hand, curls and volume are almost non-existent because it becomes difficult for your hair to hold. The last thing you want is droopy limp hair immediately you step out.

To establish whether you have fine hair, pluck a strand of hair and rub it between your fingers. If you can’t feel it then chances are you do. This means the individual strands of your hair are smaller in diameter.

So what next? Caring for thin, fragile hair is of utmost importance and if done right, the results are breath-taking. Do this and you will never have to worry about fine flat hair.

1. Use the right products

With proper products, your hair will thank you for it. Look for volumising products that will add texture, hold and thickness. And if you didn’t know, the best place to get volume is in the shower. Wash your hair every other day with a lightweight volumising shampoo that adds moisture to your hair. Other good products worth buying are matte pomades and thickening sprays.

2. Go easy on the conditioner

Conditioners are great for adding moisturize and strengthening hair strands. While you do want to keep your hair conditioned, over moisturized hair will look greasy and lifeless. The trick? Never apply it to your scalp. Focus on the ends rather than the roots.

3. Dry it gently

Wet hair is susceptible to breakage, therefore, be very gentle on how you handle it. Avoid rubbing vigorously using a towel and instead pat your hair down. Alternatively, you can wrap your wet hair in a cotton t-shirt or do a light blow dry after applying a heat protectant. The heat activates the volumising products. No matter how much you want to detangle and straighten your hair do not brush it when wet. It will cause breakage. If you must detangle, use your fingers.

4. Roll it up

To give the impression of thick hair, put your rollers into good use. Apply when hair is slightly damp and when it is dry, fluff it out with your fingers. Combing will cause frizziness so avoid this. Thereafter you can choose to finish off with a texturizing spray. This will help once your hair starts to drop and you can revive it back by bending over and fluffing your hair.

5. Fake it

Pump up the volume and give your hair bounce by getting the right haircut. A layered haircut works best for both short and long hair. If done right, this will add movement to your hair. Another great tip is to add extensions. To make them look natural, make sure they are trimmed and coloured to match your own hair. To those sisters who have a very thin hairline, it may be a good idea to arm yourself with a fibrous hair powder. Spritz on the roots for a more natural appearance. What makes this product special is the fact that it works for all hair types and textures and is great for filling up bald patches, weave tracks or when you need to touch up your roots.