There is a number, and one way to describe hair—long, short, flat, thin, thick, delicate, and curly are just a few of them. Knowing the difference between these terms can help us learn how to take care of our hair best. The hair terms fine and thin are often seen interchangeably, but what do the words “fine” and “thin” actually mean for your hair?
If you’ve always thought these terms are the same, continue reading to learn the difference between fine and thin hair. Once you know if you have fine hair or thin hair, you’ll be able to tweak your hair care routine to fit the needs of your tresses.
Table of Contents
1. What is Fine Hair?
Fine hair relates to the texture and feel of your hair, which is classified in terms of the width or diameter of individual hair strands. If you hold fine hair, your strands are smaller in diameter than those with coarse hair. The easiest method to determine whether or not you have fine hair is to compare a hair strand with a sewing thread. If your hair is smaller than a sewing thread, then you most likely have fine hair.
It’s important to note that fine hair has nothing to do with how much hair you have. It is common to have a full head of fine hair. Fine hair is naturally soft and silky and may slip out of hair ties easily. Often, fine hair holds onto moisture better than medium or coarse hair but is more prone to breakage. Those with fine hair may struggle to style it due to a lack of volume. Fine hair also becomes greasy more easily than coarser hair textures.
2. Caring for Fine Hair
Those with fine hair need a hair-care routine geared towards strengthening their strands and preventing breakage. Naturally, fine hair can become weak and easily damaged, so it’s essential to adopt gentle hair-care practices and choose to maintain hair products. Firstly, fortify strong strands from the inside out by consuming a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
A protein-rich diet packed with essential vitamins like vitamins A, B, C, D, and E and omega-3 fatty acids will help strengthen fine hair. If you have fine hair, you may also consider giving yourself daily scalp massages. Scalp massages may help dilate blood vessels beneath the scalp to encourage more robust hair growth. They also slough away gunk from your scalp like oil and dirt that could be weighing down your roots.
3. What is Thin Hair?
Thin hair is defined by the density of the hair and follicles. Thin hair relates to the number of individual strands on your head and how close or far apart they are from each other. Thin hair is often referred to as low-density hair since there are fewer hairs on the scalp. Thin hair generally means that the hair follicles on your scalp are farther apart than other hair types.
A thin hair package is the result of genetics or hair loss. Thin hair may easily fall flat and lack body. Also, those with thin hair may see more of their scalp or notice uneven growth patterns.
4. Caring for Thin Hair
Caring for thin hair is all about equipping your hair-care arsenal with products that add volume. Like the Lift Me Up Hair Thickener by Better Not Younger, a hair-thickening product wraps around thin strands and lifts hair at the roots, all while nourishing the scalp and follicles. An all-natural thickening product will add volume and fullness to your mane without drying your hair out.
You may also consider reaching for a gentle, non-comedogenic dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is a no-rinse formula designed to absorb grease from your roots, giving hair a fresher appearance. A good dry shampoo will eliminate scalp buildup and boosts volume in thin hair.
5. Conclusion
It’s essential to arm yourself with the correct vocabulary to discuss your hair needs with your stylist or find the right product. The terms fine hair and thin hair differ when it comes to width and density. Understanding the difference between fine and thin hair is the first step in finding a hair-care routine that suits your hair type.
