The Skinny On Thinning Hair

Think your wardrobe is the only thing that changes from season to season? Think again. Natural hair shedding can change too. In fact, it’s normal to shed anywhere from 50 to 100 hair strands a day due to the growth cycle turnover. But how many of those strands you see clinging to your favorite top and trapped in your hairbrush are due to breakage vs. just being natural hair fall? That’s not always easy to tell.

If the ends of those discarded strands are clean and rounded, they were probably shed through the natural growth process. Jagged and broken ends mean hair fibres were lost due to breakage (read: take it easy on those tresses!) 

The truth is, genetics and age are a large part of what causes hair thinning, which originates deep down in the scalp – well away from surface factors like hair care products. But even though you can’t control how much your hair will thin out based on your DNA, there are some things you can do to combat the look of thinning hair. If you are worried about excessive or sudden hair loss, consult your physician.

Specifically, avoid brushing wet hair, which is highly vulnerable to damage. Ditch the brush, and, instead, opt for a wide-toothed comb or pick to detangle after conditioning. If you use a brush to blow-dry damp hair, try to choose a vented one with fewer teeth to snag your strands.

Of course, you can always style your way to fuller-looking tresses, too. Creating volume is a great way to conceal thinning hair, so we recommend a volumizing styling product. While it may seem counter intuitive to use a conditioner on thinner hair, modern lightweight technology can protect your hair from further loss due to breakage without weighing down your hair, helping you achieve a fuller look. Fuller styles help conceal more of the scalp, so this might be the perfect time to try out those curly, wavier styles you’ve been admiring. For a different look, try a messy parting that will keep your part line concealed.