From what you eat to how you style: A 10 step guide to those with thin hair

Are you struggling with thin hair? You are not alone. Here are tips on how to make the most of your scanty hair.

Keep it clean:

Make good friends with shampoo, because hair can look thinner when it’s greasy. Use a volumising shampoo, which is formulated with ingredients that make hair look and feel thicker. Massage the scalp when shampooing to increase blood flow to the scalp and kick-start the growth and shine of your hair.

Condition:

Avoid weighing your thin hair down with conditioner. Use conditioner sparsely, only on the ends which tend to be drier. The roots will be hydrated by the natural oils in your scalp. Go for conditioners that contain natural ingredients. Harsh chemicals will weigh your hair down.

Trim:

Have a trim every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthier and fuller-looking. Layers give thin hair the texture and volume it needs. The layers should, however, be balanced – the longer the hair, the longer the layers.

Know your products:

Use products that are friendly to thin hair. Volumisers, for example, create lift and movement at the root. Use a hair serum to add shine and tame hairs that fly away. Avoid using too much product, as this can leave your hair looking dull, greasy and flat.

Style wisely:

 Do a little back-combing on the roots for the hair to look lifted. Create waves and curls to help you create texture and volume in the hair. Use rollers overnight to lift hair from the roots without causing any damage as heated tools would. Simply roll up, sleep and wake up with bouncy hair!

Brush carefully:

Be extra careful when brushing by using a soft brush that won’t tug and pull at the hair. Use a detangling spray when removing knots after shampooing. To avoid flyaway hair, spray your brush with a little hairspray and then lightly comb over your hair. This holds down small hairs without weighing down the rest of your hairdo.

Be cautious with heat:

Set the temperatures of dryers, tongs etc at a reasonable setting. The lower the setting the better, otherwise, your hair will fry and break.

Treat weekly:

Deep-condition once a week to help fill in damaged areas and make hair look thicker. Use a mask formulated to strengthen and repair your hair.

Be wise with color:

Highlights and low lights can make hair seem fuller. Highlights draw attention to the surface of the hair while low lights create shadows. Always opt for two colours instead of one.

Eat healthy:

 Protein helps the hair replace the strands one loses daily. Get your proteins from foods that are low in sugar and higher in protein.