Fine hair vs thin hair is a mix-up that leads many people to buy the wrong products. The two words describe different things. Fine is about the width of each strand. Thin is about how many strands grow on your head. You can have one without the other, both, or neither.
Fine hair: strand width
A fine strand has a small diameter. It feels soft and silky and is hard to feel when you roll a single hair between your fingers. The opposite of fine is coarse, which means a wide, strong strand.
Thin hair: density
Thin hair means low density: fewer hairs per square centimeter of scalp. The opposite is thick or dense hair. Low density can be the way your hair has always been, or it can develop over time, in which case it is called thinning.
The four combinations
| Combination | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Fine and dense | Lots of soft hair; a ponytail of reasonable size that goes flat easily |
| Fine and thin | Soft, flat hair; the scalp may show; a small ponytail |
| Coarse and dense | A heavy, full head of hair that takes a long time to dry |
| Coarse and thin | Strong strands but visible scalp in places |
How to check strand width
- Roll one hair between finger and thumb. Barely there means fine. Clearly felt means medium or coarse.
- Compare a hair with a piece of sewing thread. Thinner than the thread is fine.
How to check density
- Part your dry hair and look in a mirror. If you see a lot of scalp around the part, density is low.
- Measure the circumference of your ponytail. Under about 5 cm suggests low density, 5 to 10 cm medium, and more than 10 cm high. This is a rough guide, and fine strands make any ponytail smaller.
Care for fine hair
- Wash as often as needed. Oil shows quickly on fine strands.
- Use light, volumizing shampoos and conditioners.
- Condition only the ends.
- Choose mousse and light sprays over creams, oils and waxes.
- Handle gently. Fine hair breaks more easily.
Care for thin (low-density) hair
- Ask for a cut that adds shape, such as blunt ends or soft layers.
- Blow-dry the roots for lift. See Straight Hair Care: A Simple Daily Routine for a method.
- Change your part from time to time.
- Avoid heavy products that separate the hair into strands and show the scalp.
- Avoid tight styles that put stress on the roots.
Care for coarse hair
Coarse strands are stronger but often drier. They usually do well with richer conditioners, creams and a little oil on the ends.
Thin hair or thinning hair?
Hair that has always been low in density is simply your hair type. Thinning is a change. Signs include:
- A part that is getting wider.
- A ponytail that is smaller than it used to be.
- More scalp showing at the crown or temples.
- More hair than usual on your pillow, brush or in the shower drain for several weeks.
It is normal to shed around 50 to 100 hairs a day. A clear, lasting change is worth discussing with a doctor or dermatologist, because many causes of thinning can be treated, and treatment works best when it starts early. Hair Thinning: Causes and When to Get Help covers the causes, and Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences explains the difference between shedding and breakage.
Products cannot change your hair type
No shampoo can make strands permanently wider or increase the number of follicles. "Thickening" products coat the hair or lift the roots so that it looks fuller until the next wash. That is still useful, as long as expectations are realistic.
To check your full hair profile, see How to Find Your Hair Type or try the Hair Type Quiz.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Find Your Hair Type
- Hair Thinning: Causes and When to Get Help
- Straight Hair Care: A Simple Daily Routine
- Hair Shedding vs Breakage: Key Differences
- Hair Type Quiz: Find Your Texture and Curl Pattern
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can hair be both fine and thick?
Yes. You can have a large number of fine strands. The hair feels soft and silky, there is plenty of it, and it tends to go flat.
Does fine hair mean I am losing hair?
No. Fine hair is a strand type that many people are born with. Hair loss is a reduction in the number of hairs or a gradual shrinking of strands over time.
Will cutting my hair make it thicker?
No. A cut does not change how hair grows. Blunt ends can make hair look fuller, because the tips are all the same length.