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THINNING HAIR DOS & DON’TS

Bid bad hair days goodbye with this list of volume-boosting hair care tools and techniques.

DO gently pat freshly washed hair with a microfiber towel (or, if in a pinch, a paper towel) to absorb moisture. Because it minimizes breakage, this is the best method for drying and thinning hair before styling it.

DO treat hair with gentle care, and avoid over-brushing, washing, and processing, all of which can further damage already fragile strands.

DO snag yourself a quality wide-tooth comb if you have curly or wavy hair, or a brush with soft, rounded bristle tips for straight hair, and make these your new grooming go-to’s to prevent further disruption of thinning hair.

DO toss out any fine-tooth combs and brushes with sharp bristles. These tools can increase breakage in hair that needs extra TLC.

DO turn your head upside down to blow-dry when you are in a pinch and don’t have time to air or pat-dry it. This is an easy way to give your thin hair a powerful boost, making it appear more voluminous.

DO nudge your hair to new heights by indulging in a nourishing bedtime hair-care routine. Tenderly comb out breakage-causing tangles and gently gather your mane into a low, loose bun, braid, or ponytail before nodding off to sleep.

DO massage your scalp using the pads of your fingers before hopping in the shower, beyond just feeling amazing, this increases blood flow and helps exfoliate pores for a healthier scalp.

DO lather up with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner duo. Look for a gentler shampoo that is residue-free, weightless, and sulfate-free.

DO add volume to your tresses. When you can’t squeeze in a shower, use a dry shampoo with cornstarch or rice starch and a clear formulation.

DO add a touch of ‘Va-Va-Voom’ to your oily strands. Dab at your hairline and front layers of hair surrounding your face using blotting papers or, if in a bind, paper towels.

DO detangle your locks before you shower, as dry hair is more durable and less apt to break than wet. Just remember to use a wide-tooth comb for curly or wavy hair, or a brush with soft, rounded bristle tips for straight hair.

DO adopt a more tousled, casual, wash-and-go style as your new signature look. This will be easier to pull off and maintain with thinner hair, and any trouble spots can easily be handled with a little back brushing to give the appearance of more volume.

DO wash your hair only when it is dirty, but know that thinner hair generally gets grimier faster than thicker hair. If you can, shampoo every other day to diminish damage from overwashing. To stretch the time between washes, try a dry shampoo with cornstarch or rice starch and a clear formulation.

DO protect your hair from damage by limiting direct sun exposure. Natural sunlight and even artificial ultraviolet light can break down the keratin protein in your hair and hamper its elasticity—definitely undesirable outcomes for already-thin hair. Thinning hair is like a cashmere sweater— it needs and deserves to be coddled and specially cared for. Certain hair-care shampoos and conditioners now contain sunscreen. Ask your dermatologist if these may be right for you.

DON'T

DON'T make the turban towel-wrap apart of your post-shower beauty routine. Instead, you do want to allow your hair time to air dry a bit before styling. A towel wrap requires twisting, turning, and pulling on your mane, which can lead to nasty hair breakage –not ideal for more delicate hair types.

DON'T gather your hair into tight hair bands, wrap hair bands around your head, or pull hair firmly into clips. When you have thin hair, “loose” is the keyword. If you do use a hair band, look for a hair tie that is no-tug and glides easily. Or use a ribbon.

DON'T over-condition thinning hair, which can weigh it down and flatten it. Apply conditioner only to the bottom two-thirds of your hair strands, or choose a lightweight conditioner, such as a mist formulation.

DON'T sleep on a pillowcase made out of rough fabric. Replace cotton cases with silky-smooth ones to reduce friction from overnight tossing and turning that can lead to tangles and breakage. (So Hollywood!)

DON'T beat yourself up due to hereditary hair loss – you did nothing wrong, and there’s not one thing you could have or should have done differently. It’s the luck of the genes – just like your eye color or complexion – and was going to start happening no matter how many perms you had in your teens, or color jobs you sat through in your 20s.

DON'T avoid coloring your hair – just stick to the right shades. That means no extremely light or dark hues, but instead, select deep and rich shades that are close to your natural shade. Thinning hair can actually benefit from semi-permanent or permanent hair color to boost the body. Just don’t overdo it, as over-processing thin hair can damage it. And don’t go DIY (delicate hair responds differently to coloring). Instead, make an appointment with a professional stylist.

DON'T live in denial about your hair loss, relying on brush-overs and wigs. Hereditary hair loss can be treated with Women’s ROGAINE® Foam. Knowing the signs of hereditary hair loss is the first step towards learning if Women’s ROGAINE® Foam is right for you.

DON'T forget to turn down the shower water temperature. Some hair professionals maintain that a final rinse with cool water may close up cuticles and cause hair to swell slightly, making it appear thicker.

DON'T use hot rollers. Instead, try Velcro rollers that don’t use heat. Set them for about 20 minutes while you finish applying makeup and getting ready.

DON'T let too much time pass between haircuts. Split ends can inch up your mane, making tresses look even thinner and strands sparser. Aim to trim at least one-half inch off every 6 weeks.

DON'T sleep on a wet head. Fine hair just doesn’t bounce back the same way thicker hair does.

DON'T pull, tug, or yank at roots when brushing a wispy head of hair. This is a surefire way to deplete hairs and, hey, there are smarter ways to cool aggressions (yoga, anyone?).

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