How to Thin Your Hair

A thick and heavy mane can make it difficult to manage, no matter what hairstyle you go for. Fortunately, there are various techniques that can help thin your hair, making it easier to style. You can easily address thick hair by trimming with thinning scissors, switching to smoother styles, or changing your hair care routine to reduce the volume.

Buy thinning scissors. Thinning scissors are commonly used by hairstylists and look similar to regular scissors, but with thicker, serrated blades. These scissors are designed to reduce up to 15% of hair volume, helping to maintain the shape and style of your hair while making it less thick and less bulky.

• You can purchase thinning scissors at beauty supply stores or hair care product counters in shopping malls.

Trim your hair when it's dry and clean. Before thinning your hair, wash and dry it as usual. Let your hair dry naturally if that's your regular routine, or blow-dry it if you typically do so. Try to style your hair the same way you normally would. This will help prevent accidentally thinning your hair too much.

• Do not use any styling products before thinning your hair. These products can cause the scissors to stick and change the volume of your hair, making it harder to trim.

Section off a part of your hair around 5-7.5 cm wide to trim. It's best to work in small, equal sections throughout your hair. Take the first section away from the scalp and clip the rest of your hair, focusing on the ends of the section you're holding.

• If you have short hair, the number of sections to trim will likely be fewer, as trimming hair near the scalp can be difficult.

Use thinning scissors to cut along the hair shaft. Hold the serrated scissors at a 45-degree angle, around 5-7.5 cm away from the hair ends, then close and open the blades along the hair shaft. Move the scissors down about 2.5 cm, then close and open them again. Continue this until you reach the ends of your hair.

• If you position the scissors underneath, the hair underneath will be thinner, but it will be covered by the longer strands.
• Be careful not to start thinning too close to the roots. Thinning scissors will also cut your hair shorter. If you begin from the top, you may end up with short pieces at the crown. It’s best to start from the ends to have better control over the shape.

Brush through the thinned section. Brush the trimmed section a few times to shake off any loose hair, then take a look. Compare the thinned hair to the rest to see if it's thinned enough.

• If the section still feels too thick, continue trimming a little more. If needed, you can move the scissors a bit higher up the hair shaft to avoid cutting the same spot too many times.

Continue with the rest of your hair. Repeat the same process for each section until all of your hair has been thinned. To ensure your hair is evenly thinned, try to trim an equal amount from each section.

• Remember to brush through each section after trimming to compare it with the rest of your hair. This step will help you achieve even thinning and avoid over-cutting.
• If you can’t see the back of your head, turn your back to the mirror and hold another mirror in front of you to reflect the image of your hair from behind. If possible, ask someone else to help trim the back section.

Choose a layered long hairstyle with uneven ends if you have thicker hair at the tips. For short hair, the thick, dense ends may sit high near the top of the head, creating an unbalanced look. A layered style helps distribute the hair more evenly, giving the entire look a smoother, less voluminous appearance.

• Tell your hairstylist that your hair ends are too thick and heavy, and you want a layered long cut to make your hair look thinner.
• Avoid blunt cuts, as they aren't suitable for thick hair. If you already have a blunt cut, ask your stylist to add layers, especially if you're growing out short hair.

Style your hair with a blow dryer for a neat, natural look. Start blow-drying from the roots down to the tips. Hold a round brush underneath the hair and comb it downward as you dry the top. You can slightly rotate the brush as you reach the ends for a subtle curl or simply comb through the tips.

• Avoid pulling on the hair while using the round brush, as this can cause the roots to puff up, making your hair appear thicker.
• After drying, your hair may seem frizzy due to moisture evaporation. Use styling products like argan oil or anti-frizz serum to keep your hair smooth and shiny throughout the day.

Use a hair straightener to make your hair even thinner. A straightening iron uses heated metal plates to flatten and straighten hair to its thinnest possible state. Ensure your hair is completely dry, and then slowly slide the straightener over each section of hair 1-2 times to achieve straight results.

• Always apply a heat protectant before straightening to prevent damage to your hair.
• Avoid running the straightener over one section more than twice, as this can cause breakage. If your hair isn't straight after two passes, try increasing the heat. If the problem persists, consider switching to a ceramic, titanium, or tourmaline plate straightener.

Consider chemical hair straightening for a long-term solution to manage thick hair. Treatments like Brazilian blowouts and keratin wraps chemically alter the hair's structure through a multi-step process involving heat and styling to make the hair straight and sleek.

• Although often marketed as "permanent", these treatments still require touch-ups every few months depending on your hair type and the method used.
• These procedures can be expensive and may release chemicals into the air that could irritate you. If you're on a budget or have had allergic reactions to hair treatments in the past, you might want to explore other options.

Wash your hair with cold water to reduce frizz and volume. When you wash your hair with hot water, the hair cuticle opens, causing frizz and puffiness. On the other hand, cold water helps close the cuticle, giving your hair a sleeker, shinier finish.

• If you don't like cold water, you can use lukewarm water. Even a slight reduction in temperature can make your hair appear thinner.
• Instead of washing your entire body with cold or lukewarm water, you can use a shower cap and wash your body as usual, then rinse your hair with cold water.

Shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week. You should shampoo your hair every 3-4 days to preserve the natural oils that protect and nourish your hair. On the other days, just rinse with cool water. It may take some time for your hair to adjust to this routine, but you can use dry shampoo in the meantime to keep your hair looking fresh!

• When you do shampoo, use a formula that doesn't puff up your hair, applying only a coin-sized amount and focusing on the scalp rather than the hair itself.
• Daily shampooing strips away natural oils that keep your hair shiny and healthy, which can lead to frizzy, puffed-up hair.

Use apple cider vinegar as a conditioner alternative. You can mix equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar in an empty conditioner bottle or spray bottle to use as a rinse. After shampooing, apply the vinegar solution to your hair and rinse thoroughly. Once your hair dries, it will feel soft and shiny instead of thick and frizzy.

• Conditioners contain ingredients that coat the hair shaft, making hair appear thicker. Apple cider vinegar offers similar smoothing benefits without coating the hair.
• Apple cider vinegar has a strong scent, so start with a small amount to avoid overwhelming your scalp with the smell. To mask the vinegar scent, you can use a dry conditioner spray afterward.

Use products that reduce hair puffiness. There are various products available, such as gels, creams, or serums, that help smooth and straighten hair or reduce frizz. Depending on the product, you can apply it before or after styling to combat puffiness and achieve a sleek, shiny look or soft, defined curls.

• If your hair is curly or has a textured, non-straight pattern, look for products designed specifically for your hair type. These products will help manage frizz and puffiness without ruining your natural curls.
• Avoid mousse and other volumizing products that can make hair puffier.

• Visit a salon to get your hair thinned out before purchasing thinning shears to do it yourself. Pay attention to the stylist's technique so you can replicate it at home.
• Always move slowly and carefully when using thinning shears to avoid over-cutting.
• If you're struggling with thick, unruly hair, ask the stylist to recommend products, hairstyles, and techniques that might suit you better. Don’t hesitate to express dissatisfaction if you're not happy with your current style.
• You could also try using shampoo labeled for thick hair. These shampoos are often formulated to smooth hair, making it appear thinner. Avoid volumizing shampoos or those meant for fine hair, as they can make your hair look thicker.