Mastering Hair Density: Care and Styling Tips
Does your hair appear thin or thick? Do you lack volume? Are you using the right amount of product? All of this relates to the density of your hair. Your journey to beautiful, healthy hair begins with understanding your unique hair characteristics. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the different hair densities, provide personalized care tips, and steer you toward accomplishing your hair goals. Let's dig in!
What is hair density?
Hair density defines how many hair strands you have on your scalp. Density is what gives the thin or thick appearance of your hair, and is often confused with hair width describing the thickness of the individual hair strands. Ergo, you can have high density meaning a thick appearance, even though you have fine hair strands and vice versa. Depending on your level of density, you need to adjust the amount of product you apply.
Hair density comes in three stages: Low, Medium, and High. Density is influenced by various unchangeable and changeable factors:
Unchangeable Factors
Genetics and aging are natural causes that cannot be changed. Studies show that the older we get, the less dense our hair becomes. The reason why is that more hair tends to remain in the resting phase of the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding and less new hair growth. The highest density of hair is typically observed around the ages of 20-30, with a gradual decline in density starting around the age of 35.
Changeable Factors
Nutrition, hormones, and health conditions are periodic causes that can be treated and managed. A healthy diet promotes hair growth, and a lack of nutritional elements such as iron and protein can result in hair thinning. Hormonal changes can give temporary hair loss, this includes pregnancy, menopause, and discontinuing the use of birth control. Health conditions varying from stress, illness, and extreme weight loss to diseases such as thyroid and autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis can lead to temporary hair thinning or hair loss.
No matter your hair density, we recommend that you follow the Natural Hair Journey, embracing your natural beautiful hair by avoiding damaging ingredients among others.
Low Density
You have fewer hair strands on your head and your scalp is visible, especially in the hair parting. Low density hair struggles with volume and fullness and is easily weighed down.
Caring and Styling Tips
You have less hair on your scalp meaning you have to use less product in general. Go for lighter products like sprays that will not weigh down your hair and avoid heavy oils, butters, and creams. If you have coarse hair in combination, you may notice that this advice is contradicting. Therefore, it is up to you to experiment with products. You could combine a heavier leave-in conditioner with a light styler like mousse or hair spray. Achieve more volume at the root with volumizing products such as mousse or volume sprays. While air drying, move your hair to different positions, lift the roots, and blo dry the roots upside down to get more volume.
Medium Density
The number of hair strands on your head falls in the middle, and your scalp is somewhat visible. Medium density hair can be voluminous while taming the ends with the right product and techniques.
Caring and Styling Tips
You have an average of hair on your scalp meaning you have to use a medium amount of product. Your hair responds well to a broad range of products. Style according to your hair width to understand whether you need light and/or heavy products. Apply the products in sections for even distribution. Maintain volume while air drying by moving your hair into different positions, and blow dry the roots upside down.
High Density
You have many hair strands on your head, and your scalp is difficult to see, even in the hair parting. High density hair can feel heavy and difficult to manage, but has great volume.
Caring and Styling Tips
You have plenty of hair on your scalp meaning you have to use more product in general. Dividing your hair into sections is key to ensure even distribution of products, also when shampooing. You have great thickness and volume, but will probably need some heavier products to help controlling the ends. Go for heavier leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and gels with butters and oils. If you have a combination of fine hair, you may notice that this advice is contradicting. Therefore, it is up to you to experiment with products. You could combine a heavier leave-in conditioner or curl cream with a lighter styler such as mousse or hair spray - or the other way around.
How to find my hair density?
You can easily assess your hair density using a simple at-home measurement method. Download the Compar App and connect with your personal AI hair care advisor. Receive guidance on identifying your hair density, personalized product recommendations, detailed ingredient analysis, and tailored care tips for your unique hair needs.
