A lovely reader presented the question, is there a difference between fine hair and thin hair? There was a point in time when I would have answered no, they are the same. However, I now know differently, thus I view fine hair and thin hair as being two different characteristics of hair. In most cases, your hair is likely fine, not thin so let’s dig into the how and why.
Hair Diameter
Strands of hair can be fine, medium or thick based on diameter. When on a contrasting background or held to light, fine hair is translucent and hard to see. Those with fine hair will generally have a ponytail circumference of 2 inches or less. Medium hair is visible against a contrasting background or when held to light and feels much like a piece of thread. Ponytails generally range from 2 to 4 inches. Thick hair tends to be coarse and wiry and is easily seen against a contrasting background or when held to light. Ponytail circumference is generally greater than 4 inches.
Hair Density
While strand diameter measures the width of individual hair strands, the difference between fine hair and thin hair is driven by hair density which determines how closely strands are arranged on the scalp.
Density is best assessed on dry hair because wet hair tends to look thinner than what it really is. To perform this test, quickly flip your hair forward and back so that it’s naturally hanging in an un-parted, un-manipulated state. If there is a lot of scalp visible, this is low density hair. If some scalp is visible, this is medium density hair. And, if the scalp is not visible, this is high density hair.
Hair may not be of one density. My Komaza analysis determined I have medium to thick density. As you can see in the photos below, I have no scalp showing and my strands are medium thick in diameter.
Difference Between Fine Hair and Thin Hair
Fine hair refers to the diameter of each strand whereas thin hair refers to the overall density of hair. Fine hair with high density will have a thicker appearance than fine hair with low density. In contrast, thick hair with low density will have a thinner appearance even though the diameter of the strands are larger than fine hair.
Exceptions aside, both fine hair and thin hair tend to naturally lack volume and is prone to breakage and damage. Those dealing with these hair characteristics should not overdo it with product to avoid limp and lifeless hair.
My stylist shared a great tip for creating volume for those naturally lacking it — comb all hair going forward and then lightly comb it back down. Combing the hair forward gives the hair volume. This also works with finger combing for those that prefer it. Side Note: Do not overly comb the hair when combing it back down as that will cause your hair to lose the volume that was created.
Main Takeaway
The difference between fine hair and thin hair is, fine hair is determined by the diameter of your hair and thin hair is determined by the density. Fine hair and thin hair are not one and the same.
Were you aware of the difference between fine hair and thin hair?
HELLO! Posting here from Europe, where I shall be for a few weeks more!
Today.. I have internet… Hair diameter and Hair density are NOT the same, however I would like to point out that one can have nice, thick, wiry strands and still have a skinny ponytail.
It is because ponytail size is based on hair density not hair diameter. I have very fine hair, so fine, you cannot feel individual strands between your fingers–but if you gather my hair it is thicker, even thicker than the diameter for “fine hair”
This is because the diameter of my hair is fine, but the density is high so I have thick, fine hair,
I have a friend who has very, very thick hair in diameter but her hair is thinning. Her individual strands are thicker than thread, but because as she ages her density decreases, you can take those nice, strong, strands and grab them into a skinny pony tail.
I agree with everything in this article but want to stress, that how much hair is in a ponytail will only tell you how dense your hair may be on your scalp, it has everything to do with density, not much to do with diameter.
Another way to test or detect hair density is simply to part off 1 SQUARE INCH of hair, then count each follicle or hair strand– or if that is too much, then grab that inch and hold it away from your head. If you cannot see your scalp as you hold that section up, you have thick hair, it you see some scalp–you have medium density and if you can see light shining down to your scalp just about everywhere, you probably have thin hair.
if you want to count -then medium has about 2200 hairs per square inch, more than that is thick and less than 2200 is thin hair. More or less.
Larger diameter hair strands do not necessarily make a thicker ponytail… and fine hair can be thick–but if you have enough finer hair or coarser hair you will have a huge ponytail, and if you have very few coarse or fine hair, you will get a thinner ponytail.
Hi there! Glad you made it there safely!!! I hope you enjoy your stay. Pics pics and more pics.
I cannot imagine counting strands but did read it averages out to 2200.
Do you have tips for her thinning?
Can the diameter of your ponytail also have to do with the even or uneven lengths of hair on a persons head?
This series is so interesting Jay! I know next to nothing about hair so this technical background is mostly new to me and I’m super stoked to learn more about it. I’m hesitant to say anything about my hair because I don’t really know what to say about it! Thanks for the post!
I liked the post. It explained the difference between fine and thin hair very clearly. Thank you.
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