Thin Hair

It seems as though thick hair is all the rage these days, but what if you want your hair to be thinner? Hair that is full and heavy can be difficult to manage, but there are techniques you can employ to thin it out and make it easier to style. Read on to learn how to thin your hair with thinning shears, style it differently to make it look thinner, and change your routine to create a sleeker, tamed-down look.

Steps

Use Thinning Shears

1. Purchase a pair of thinning shears. This tool is often employed by stylists in salons. Thinning shears look like scissors with a thick, serrated edge. They are designed to cut about 15% of the hair, resulting in hair that still holds its shape and style but has less volume and density. Thinning shears are available from beauty supply stores and the hair care section of department stores.
2. Begin with clean, dry hair. When you get your hair trimmed with a regular pair of scissors, starting with wet hair allows for greater control over the style. With thinning shears, however, it's better to start with dry hair so that you can see exactly how much volume you're taking out. This prevents you from over-thinning your hair.
   • Shampoo your hair and dry it how you normally do. If you tend to let it air dry, do that; if you usually blow it dry, go ahead and style it that way. Your hair should be as close to its normal everyday texture as possible.
   • Don't add any styling products to your hair. These can clog the shears and also prevent your hair from looking as full as it normally is, throwing off your ability to gauge how much to thin out.
3. Choose a fist-sized hank of hair to thin. It's best to thin a section at a time, and thin the same amount all around your head. Hold the first section away from your head and clip the rest back.
4. Use the thinning shears to cut your hair down the shaft. Start by placing the shears about halfway up your hair shaft, just below your ears. Close the shears over your hair. Open them and move the shears about 1/2 in down the length of your hair, then close the shears again. Repeat until you reach the bottom of your hair.
   • If your hair tends to get full toward the tips, you can start even lower and just thin out the last few inches of your hair.
   • Be careful about starting too close to the roots. The thinning shears are actually cutting pieces of your hair, so if you start too high you'll end up with short pieces toward the top of your head. It's best to start thinning at the bottom of your shortest layer.
5. Comb the thinned section of hair. Run a comb through a few times to remove all the cut pieces of hair. Take a look at the newly thinned section. Is it thinned out enough, or is it still too thick? If necessary, use the thinning shears to thin out the section again.
6. Repeat with the rest of your hair. Section by section, use the same method to thin out your hair. To make sure it looks even, try to use the shears the exact same amount on each section, rather than going over one section more times than you go over the others. Comb the cut pieces from your hair, take a step back, and admire your thinned-out look.

Style Your Hair Differently

1. Get a long layered cut. If you have very full hair that tends to turn into "triangle head" - thick, bushy tips that rise to a point at the top of your scalp - you may want to consider getting a cut to help balance your hair's volume. Layers redistribute the volume for an overall look that is sleeker and less poofy.
   • Tell your stylist that your hair feels too full and heavy on the bottom, and that you'd like long layers for a thinned-out look.
   • Avoid getting a straight-across cut without any attention to layers. Short cuts are also harder to manage if you have thick, voluminous hair, since the hair tends to mushroom out from your scalp until it grows long enough to lie flat against your head.
2. Wear your hair straight. Curls, waves and frizz make hair look bigger. This is advantageous in some cases, but if you're hoping to reduce volume, a straight look might be the way to go. There are many ways to straighten your hair, both permanently and temporarily, to create a thinner look.
   • Blow your hair dry with a round brush. The heat causes your hair to dry straight, sleek, shiny, and thinner-looking.
   • Use a hair straightener. For an even flatter, thinner look, a straight iron does the trick.
   • Get your hair chemically straightened. If you know you're permanently ready to have thinner-looking hair, a Brazilian blowout or another chemical straightening technique might be the right choice for you. These treatments are expensive (and the chemicals are harsh on your hair and body) so you may want to do some research before diving into this method.

Change Your Hair Care Routine

1. Wash your hair in cold water. This simple trick is an effective way to reduce volume and frizz. Washing your hair with hot water causes the hair shaft to open, resulting in a lot of frizz and extra volume. Washing it in cold water causes the hair shaft to lie flat, resulting in sleeker, shinier, less puffy-looking hair.
   • If you hate cold showers, go for lukewarm instead. Even the slightly reduced temperature will help your hair look thinner.
   • Instead of washing your whole body in cold or lukewarm water, you could also put your hair up in a shower cap during your regular shower and then wash it separately in cold water afterward.
2. Wash your hair less often. Washing your hair every day removes the natural oils that keep it looking sleek and healthy. Your hair ends up looking more brittle, dry, and bushy, especially if your hair is naturally curly or wavy. Try washing it every three or four days instead to give it time to balance out. Your hair will soon be tamer and a lot easier to style and manage.
3. Use apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. Conditioner contains agents that coat your hair and make it look thicker than it really is. To get soft, supple hair that doesn't look too thick, switch to apple cider vinegar. Sure, it may have a very unpleasant smell, but it actually makes your hair less thick. Mix half vinegar, half water in an old conditioner or spray bottle. Spray it all over your hair when you're done shampooing. Rinse it out at the end of your shower. When it dries, your hair will be soft and shiny, but not too thick looking.
4. Use volume-reducing hair products. There are a variety of gels, creams, and serums on the market that are designed to straighten or tame unruly hair. Choose one that fits your hair texture. Smooth it into your hair after it's dry for a sleek, shiny look.
   • Some products work best if you put them in your hair before using the blow dryer to blow it out straight.
   • Avoid using mousse and other products that actually add volume instead of reducing it.

Things You'll Need

• Thinning shears
• Mirror
• Towel

Tips

• Visit a salon to get your hair thinned before purchasing shears and trying it yourself. Pay attention to the stylist's technique so you'll know how to do it at home.
• Be careful not to cut off too much of your hair . Thick hair is longed for for a reason! You don't want to completely cut down the thickness. This is why you should get it done be a professional, so you don't thin it too much.
• A more dangerous way that might damage your hair over time is by flat ironing it multiple times, very slowly.
• Consider getting a nape undercut! It's a huge commitment however it is trendy and takes off so much weight off your hair.
• You can also use a safety razor to thin your hair. However, this is not advisable unless you have experience cutting hair, since it's easy to cut off too much.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.hairfinder.com/hair2/thinhairhowto.htm

See also

• Create a Good Hair Care Routine (for Men)
• Grow Nape Hair
• Use Hair Gloss
• Reduce Frizz on Relaxed Hair
• Dye Hair Sherbet Colors
• Perfume Your Hair
• Add Texture to Your Hair
• Encourage Hair Growth
• Clean Hairspray off of a Curling Iron
• Grow Your Hair Faster Naturally

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