If you are one of those people who has been cursed with fine, limp hair, I have some help for you.

Limp, fine hair is one of the hardest problems to address in my world behind the chair. Genetics, medical conditions, medications, styling, and stress, can all factor into what may be causing this to occur. If you have suffered from this condition most of your life, you are pretty safe to rule out the last four and realize that it is time to make lemonade out of those lemons. Here are my best tips to help you turn your limp locks into voluminous waves.

  1. Let it get dirty. Sounds contrary huh? Shampooing every day is hard on the hair. Try instead to use a dry shampoo for one or preferably two days. There are a number on the market that are wonderful. Here is a link to a short list of the ones I have tested.
  2. Avoid “volume” shampoos. I know, crazy huh?  Actually, most “volume” shampoos work so well because they strip the oil. Years ago when I was educating with a manufacturer, we did strip tests on hair with various shampoos, and the OTC “volume” shampoos actually “permed” the hair we wrapped around rods – permanently!
  3. Use a light conditioner. One of the most important things about the conditioner you are using is that it stays far, far away from your scalp. Your scalp does not need the conditioning, just the ends, and very lightly at that.
  4. Don’t comb while wet. Your baby’s fine hair is so fragile when it is wet! Use a wide-tooth pick or comb and GENTLY get through the ends. Avoid vigorous towel drying. Instead, gently squeeze the excess moisture from your ends with a towel wrapped around the hair.
  5. Style with TLC. Wash your hair the night before and allow it to air dry. The next day, mist your hair slightly to create the style you want with your blow-dryer on low. Instead of blow-drying it right out of the gate. Use a curling iron or flat iron on this type of hair for a rare occasion only. Consider investing in some good old fashion hot curlers, they are coming back into style again.
  6.  Professional Color. Not only can a stylist see the back of your head and exactly how close to get to the previously colored hair without overlapping, but we also use products that are much safer and gentler on your hair. Over-the-counter hair dyes contain harsh chemicals and metals that can further damage already fragile hair.
  7. Create an illusion. Use hair powder to disguise not only the roots and dry them out between shampoos, but to help create the illusion of more hair. Here is a short list from last week’s tip of the best powder shampoos that double as scalp coverage and create a fuller look for you.
  8. Consider getting a texture wave. Unlike the perms of the 80s, these texture-creating waves are done on much larger rods and use gentler chemicals. This option should only be considered if you have strong enough hair that has not been weakened by a high-lift color.  Consult your professional for recommendations on this.

What has worked best for you in dealing with your fine hair?  I would love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment in the box below and let me know! If you have a friend that would appreciate hearing about this information please feel free to share it, tweet it, email it, Facebook, or however you would like to help them out!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Michon :)