Fine hair, read carefully

Fine hair means each strand is narrow. It says nothing about how many strands you have. Most advice mixes the two up. This site says what is true about fine hair and what to do about it, and it names the places where the usual advice splits.

Not sure which you have? Three checks with a sewing thread, a mirror, and a coin tell you in five minutes.

Seven questions, in the order they come up

1. 1

   Step 1. What is fine hair?

   Fine means each strand is narrow. It says nothing about how many strands you have.

2. 2

   Step 2. Do I have fine hair, thin hair, or both?

   A sewing thread, a mirror, and a coin tell you in five minutes.

3. 3

   Step 3. Why does fine hair go flat, greasy, and break?

   Narrow strands carry less mass, so oil, product weight, and damage all show sooner.

4. 4

   Step 4. What should I wash it with?

   A light shampoo matched to your density and oiliness, and a clarifying wash when product builds up.

5. 5

   Step 5. What goes on it after washing?

   Conditioner on the ends only, and a leave-in or oil only if your hair can carry the weight.

6. 6

   Step 6. How do I dry and style it so it looks thicker?

   Dry the roots upward, add hold at the root rather than the length, and keep heat low.

7. 7

   Step 7. What cut should I get?

   A cut that keeps the ends blunt and the weight near the length you want to fill out.

   for your case

   • What cut and routine work for a man with fine hair, and how do I know it is fine hair and not balding?
   • Which cuts air-dry well on fine straight hair, and which need a dryer?