Fine Hair Vs. Thin Hair: What Is The Difference?

Easy ways to identify your hair type to help you take care of it and style it with ease.

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Fine Hair Vs Thin Hair

The confusion between fine hair and thin hair ends today. Most of us use the words fine and thin interchangeably when it comes to hair. However, the two have a stark difference. While one is a hair type, the other is a hair issue. Learn the differences between fine and thin hair and how you can care for each. Continue reading to know more.

What Is The Difference Between Fine Hair And Thin Hair?

Thin Hair

Thin hair is all about density. An individual with thin hair will have comparatively more distance between two hair follicles. Their scalp will be more noticeable. Genetics is one major cause of thin hair.

Fine Hair

So if thin hair is about low hair density, what is fine hair? Individuals with fine hair have hair strands much smaller than other hair types. Fine hair lacks volume but has a smooth texture. Its smaller size makes it more prone to breakage. Fine hair is considered difficult to manage but easier to heat style.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Observe how your hair dries after washing your hair. Fine hair tends to dry smoothly and may appear almost flat, while thin hair might reveal more of the scalp when it’s wet.

It is easier to confuse fine hair with thin hair; that’s why knowing how to determine your hair type is important.

How To Identify Your Hair Type?

Fine hair is generally smooth and silky but can be laid flat quite easily, covering the scalp. Thin hair, on the other hand, makes your scalp more visible. Observing your hair in the mirror should give you an idea.

Both hair types need a similar process of styling. The following tips can help style your hair better.

Tips To Style Fine Hair Or Thin Hair

  1. Both hair types require volume. You may use volumizing hair products to build volume. Use lightweight hair products to ensure they do not weigh your hair down.
  1. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp. A conditioner may make your hair look oily after a few hours of washing.

Felicia, a blogger and PhD student, shared her experience of having thin hair and how she manages her hair wash routine. She writes, “Another tip I’ve come across and put into practice a few times is only shampooing your hair in the shower and just using a light leave-in conditioner in your hair as a substitute for conditioner. Most in-shower conditioners are way too heavy for fine hair, weighing down your strands making them fall flatter against your scalp. So the idea is that the leave-in conditioner will still condition your hair without weighing it down (i).”

  1. The key to making your fine or thin hair look good is to avoid weighing it down. However, product buildup in your hair or on your scalp may make this difficult. Use a good clarifying shampoo to wash away any impurities and buildup.
  1. Using rollers to make your fine or thin hair wavy might make your hair look more voluminous.
  1. Find a good dry shampoo for your hair. It is not recommended to wash fine or thin hair too often. Hence, dry shampoo helps.
  1. Do not brush your hair when wet as it may cause breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair when it is about 70% dry after showering.
protip_icon Quick Tip
When blow-drying your hair, focus on lifting the roots. For fine hair, flip your head upside down to add natural volume, whereas, for thin hair, use a round brush to gently lift the roots.
  1. Avoid using shampoos with moisturizing ingredients as they may weigh your hair down. You may instead use a shampoo that cleans your hair and gives it volume.

There you have it! If you have driven yourself up the wall wondering how to make thin hair look thicker, these expert tips can save the day.

To recap, the difference between fine hair vs. thin hair is pretty clear. Thin hair is a result of low hair density, while fine hair is low on volume. If you have thin hair, it means that your hair follicles are very spaced out. Fine hair, on the other hand, is about how thin each hair strand is. Fine hair tends to get greasy quickly and become flat, whereas thin hair makes your scalp visible. Whether you have fine or thin hair, the goal is the same –⁠ you want your hair to look thick and voluminous. And it starts with following a healthy hair care routine and using the right hair care products. Lastly, you can also try some hairstyles for thin hair to look thicker, like beachy waves and loose buns, which can be a game-changer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes extremely thin hair?

Extremely thin hair can have various causes, including genetic factors, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medical conditions, stress, chemical damage from treatments, and the natural aging process (1). It is best to diagnose the specific cause and determine the most suitable treatment options accordingly.

Does rice water thicken hair?

Though there isn’t much scientific evidence to confirm its effectiveness in thickening hair, anecdotal evidence suggests that using rice water may improve hair health by making it stronger, reducing breakage, and adding shine.

Can fine hair be thickened?

While you cannot change the thickness of fine hair, using volumizing products, adopting specific styling techniques, and maintaining a healthy diet may help improve its overall appearance and volume.

Is fine hair attractive?

Yes, fine hair is attractive. With the right styling techniques and products, it looks as beautiful as thick and full hair.

Does biotin thicken hair?

Yes, biotin helps in hair thickening and promotes hair growth.

Why is my fine hair so dry?

Shampooing too often and excessive use of hair styling products and tools can dry out fine hair.

Key Takeaways

  • Fine hair is a hair type, while thinning hair is a hair issue.
  • Fine hair lays flat easily and covers your scalp completely, but you can see your scalp through thin hair.
  • Both fine hair and thin hair lack volume, so use hair volumizing products, use conditioner regularly, and avoid weighing the hair down with too many products.

The following video provides a detailed explanation to help you distinguish between fine hair and thin hair. To understand more about the two, and identify your hair type accordingly, check out the video now.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

(i) The diary of a thin-haired girlhttps://thebeautyandthegeekau.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/the-diary-of-a-thin-haired-girl/

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Systemic causes of hair loss
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2016.1180426
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Dr. Madhuri Agarwal
Dr. Madhuri AgarwalMBBS, MD
Dr. Madhuri Agarwal is an aesthetic dermatologist with over 16 years of experience and the Medical Director & CEO of Yavana Aesthetics Clinic. She caters to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, including top names from the television and fashion fraternity, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and delivers injectables and advanced technologies to her clients.

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Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Eshna Das
Eshna DasAssociate Editor
Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Swathi E
Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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