Having been ill and being and still am on lots of medication I have certainly been through the mill with my hair. I lost alot it went really fine and is thicker now but not the same as it was.
If like me your hair is fine or fine though medication, chemo etc then read on, I empathise as I know how awful it can be.
Fine and thinning hair requires quality products that will thicken and add volume to the hair. When shopping for hair products, its a good idea to avoid shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a detergent used to strip the hair of oil and build-up. The detergent dries the hair out, and overdrying can lead to brittle hair prone to breakage. Protect your hair by reducing the frequency of shampooing, use volumizing products and avoid heavy gels and cremes. The goal is to use as little product in your hair as possible to avoid flat, greasy hair.
A good brush shouldnever pull at the scalp or tug and tangle the hair. It should easily smooth through hair without pulling at the hair. The bristles should be long enough to easily grab and hold the hair and still easily release as you pull it through the ends. It is best when the handle and base of half-round brushes are made out of rubber because this material reduces static (especially fine hair). Always avoid nylon-bristled brushes unless the have rubber tips. I made the mistake of not using one and my hair was full of static, its only with advice etc that ive learned.
Blow drying the hair In order to increase the volume of your hair, towel dry it after washing to remove the excess moisture. comb it thoroughly with a wide-tooth comb so that it is free of tangles.
Before blow drying you may want to apply a styling gel or mousse. This is a good idea if your hair is fine, limp or naturally oily. When you apply the product to your hair, apply it mainly to the roots. It is the inch or so of hair closest to the scalp that you want the product to strengthen so it will hold up. You don't want to use too much product on the ends of your hair, as it will serve to make the ends it heavier, weighing it down
To apply your mousse , take a small amount of the product in your palm, and part your hair with a comb. Dip a finger in the product and rub it along the part, into the roots. Part your hair again, approximately an inch over, and rub more along the root line. Repeat this, going from one side of your hair to the other. Then, take a comb and comb it through your hair to spread it evenly. This will keep the bulk of the product on the roots of the hair.
In order to gain volume by blow drying, it helps to have a good brush. The best brush to use is a large, round brush with vents to allow the air to flow through.
More heat will create more volume. Unfortunately, heat can also serve to damage and dry out your hair. You can help decrease the damaging effects of the heat by constantly keeping your drier in motion, rather than focusing on a single place at a time. With that technique and a good conditioner, you can help keep heat damage to a minimum.
The angle you hold your drier is of the utmost importance to obtain high volume. Angle your drier so that you are blowing up at the roots and towards the ends of the hair.
If you are able to bend over and hang your head down so your hair is hanging down toward the floor, you should do so. This is much easier and more effective than trying to hold your hair up with a brush. Simply brush through as you wave the drier at the roots. Dry all of the roots first, and work your way down toward the ends of your hair until completely dry. Then flip your hair over and style gently.
With these techniques, you will create a lift at the roots that will give your hair more volume, making it look much fuller than it may naturally be.
If you have any questions please ask, also please check with your Doctor or Consultant before using new products and heat if your scalp is hurting due to Chemo etc.
.
