The Difference Between Fine Hair And Thin Hair
Is your hair fine or thin, and what does that mean?
Fact checked by Jillian Dara
When it comes to your hair, there are a million and one ways to describe it: Thick, fine, coarse, stick-straight, flat, wiry … you get the picture. For a long time, though, we thought that some of the vocabulary surrounding hair was repetitive. Take fine hair and thin hair, for instance.
As fine-haired gals, we've often used the words "thin" and "fine" interchangeably whenever discussing our hair woes with family or friends. We have learned, though, that there is a major difference between fine hair and thin hair, thanks to a conversation with Birmingham stylist Eric Goss. Consider it further confirmation that choosing your words carefully is always important.
Meet the Expert
Eric Goss is the master stylist and owner of Hairfolk Salon in Birmingham, Alabama.
Fine Hair Vs. Thin Hair
In short, when it comes to your strands, the difference between fine hair and thin hair all boils down to width versus density.
"'Fine hair' just means that the strand of hair itself is tiny," says Goss, master stylist and owner of Hairfolk Salon in Birmingham, Alabama. "You can have a lot of fine hair. But if you have 'thin hair,' that refers to the amount of hair you have."
Let's break it down further.
How To Know If You Have Fine Hair
When determining the width of your hair, a strand of thread is a good comparison. If your individual strands have smaller widths than the thread, your hair is fine rather than medium or coarse. The way your hair feels, too, is helpful in figuring out whether or not your hair is fine. Fine hair typically feels silkier, and from personal experience, it slips out of hair ties like that's its job. It also holds onto moisture better than medium or coarse hair, though it is weaker than its more substantial counterparts.
How To Know If You Have Thin Hair
Unlike fine hair, thin hair refers to the density of your strands per square inch of your scalp, or in other words, how much hair you have on your head. It's possible, then, that you could have fine, thick hair. With thick hair, your scalp isn't visible under all those strands. A hair tie can also give you the answer: if you don't even need to wrap it to make a ponytail, you most definitely have thick hair. If it takes more than three wraps, your hair is thin.
How To Work With Your Stylist For Fine Or Thin Hair
No matter what hair type you are, though, make sure you're armed with the right vocabulary to talk about it with your stylist. They will be able to guide you in choosing the correct products to strengthen your fine hair and give your thin hair some serious volume.
No matter what type of hair you have, we're all about these killer cuts and tips:
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