But the key to managing fine, thin hair is to avoid daily washing and use styling products with naturally derived ingredients that won't muck up your mane. As mentioned, shampoos with harsh ingredients strip your hair of its natural oils and shouldn't be used for frequent washing.
Fine hair often requires daily washing as it is the finest of all hair textures.
"Those who have thin or fine hair, exercise, and sweat during the day—or those who live in a very humid place—should be shampooing their hair daily," Dr. Chen says. "Those with thicker hair, and those with a dryer scalp, can go a few days without washing their hair."
No matter what you may have heard about shampooing and hair loss, the truth is this: washing your hair every day – with the right shampoo will not cause you to lose your hair. In fact, keeping your hair clean and removing product, oil, pollutants, and other buildup can actually improve your hair and scalp health.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
If you have an oily scalp or fine strands, shampooing every other day is best. Washing more than that can strip your hair of its healthy natural oils.
No matter what type of hair you have, washing it too often can lead to hair loss. It can also make your hair brittle and vulnerable to breakage, which is especially concerning for thin, aging hair that is already so fragile.
The belief that washing your hair sometimes induces baldness or dandruff is a myth. Although you could be losing your locks whilst in the shower or combing your hair, that's perfectly natural.
“When your hair is greasy, your hair follicles tend to look wet, which makes it look thin ...” This is especially true for people with fine or thinning hair, which tends to get greasy faster — especially if you're using the wrong type of products.
"Density is always a differentiating factor—fine hair means the strand of hair is smaller in diameter, while thin hair means there's simply fewer strands of hair growing, no matter how thick." Simply put, fine hair comes down to the thickness (or lack thereof) of each hair strand, while thin hair is related to the ...
Conditioner might sound counterintuitive for really fine hair, but stylists say it can help, especially if you're using a volumizing shampoo.
Generally, those with fine or oily hair should use a rinse-out conditioner or cleansing conditioner a few times a week. Those with coarse, curly, or dry hair should condition more frequently, and may want to consider a leave-in or deep conditioner for maximum moisture.
After your shower, keep in mind that hair is much more susceptible to breakage when it's wet — especially fine hair! Pat the moisture out of your hair with a towel rather than vigorously rubbing it. Avoid brushing your hair while it's wet for the same reason.
Extra-hot water can even cause hair loss
Hot showers aren't just damaging to the skin, either – they can also wreak havoc on your hair. Scalding water is just as stripping for your scalp and strands. It can cause the scalp to overproduce oil and can also break protein bonds and damage the hair cuticle.
Hair Washing Frequency and Tips
“I recommend washing your hair two to three times a week,” Dr. Icecreamwala says. “If your hair is dry, you may only want to wash it twice a week. If it is on the oilier side, every other day is recommended.”
“Shampoo less and your hair will be more hydrated,” they said, which helps promote thickness. “Be sure to use sulfate-free products to preserve your hair's natural oils.
Blunt cut. If you have a finer hair texture but like to keep your length long, Seamus McKernan, hairstylist and Nioxin Top Artist, recommends asking your stylist for a blunt haircut. "Blunt cuts have a solid, clean line at the perimeter of the hair that gives the appearance of fuller hair.
Finally, split ends and breakage tend to be more noticeable on those with fine hair, which is why we always recommend getting a trim every 6-8 weeks. Fine hair tends to be weaker and can't take as much abuse as medium/coarse hair can, leading to split ends more quickly.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.