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Hair is seen in different shapes & sizes - by shapes we mean haircuts and by size we mean length. A lot of people aim to have dense and voluminous hair which they never even have to style but is that really possible? Find out more about hair density and how to improve hair density from this blog right here.
What Does Hair Density Mean?
In simple terms, hair density can be referred to how far apart or close together are your hair follicles placed for the hair fibers to grow. No two people can have the same hair density. Usually, individuals with very curly hair are referred to as those with very high-density hair. Why is this relevant? One might wonder. Well, it just helps in hair care like styling, haircuts, and more. For example, Those with very low-density hair should avoid using heavy hair care products (oils, hairsprays, too much conditioner) that bring down the look and feel of your hair.
What Is Normal Hair Density?
Let me stop you right there, there's no such thing as normal hair density. There are just people who are born with low, medium, or high-density hair, and understanding where you stand will help you style or carry your hair better.
Low-Density hair: In most cases, individuals with thin hair fall under this category. Styling your hair with products that uplift your hair with volume is best suited. You can also try out different haircuts, especially the bob cut.
Medium Density hair: People with this type of hair density have nothing to worry about. Simply focus on keeping your hair healthy and strong since there’s not much maintenance. You can also experiment with different types of hairstyles. Just remember to get a regular trim to avoid split ends.
High-Density hair: These individuals don’t lack volume but humid weather might just cause hair to frizz up. Try opting for deep conditioning or intense moisture retention hair care products to keep up with this issue. Similarly, you could also experiment with gels or leave-in creams to maintain the frizz.
This is all that you can do for hair density, however, if you are talking about hair thickness, then that’s different.
The Difference Between Hair Density And Thickness
Like most people out there, you too might have misinterpreted hair density and hair thickness to be the same. It does sound like but in reality, there is a difference. You might have received a compliment from someone who's used these exact words in the past, “Wow! Your hair is so thick and good.” But the truth is that they are referring to the density of your hair. Thick hair is one that talks of the diameter of a hair strand. On the other hand, density deals with the number of strands on the head and also how close are these strands clubbed together.
How Do You Measure The Density Of Hair In Boys And Girls?
Expert Tests
Instead of counting all the hair on your scalp, which let’s face it, 1. It’s practically impossible and secondly, nobody has so much time for it. So rather than doing that, you could opt for much more practical ways of measuring hair density. The professional or laboratory way of checking the levels of hair density is as follows:
- Phototrichogram: The quantitative way of finding the improvements in hair density and also allows to study of the hair cycle under the microscope.
- Trichoscopy: Trichoscopy is the new-age method to analyze hair and scalp with the help of videodermascopy. This technique gives a very high resolution of the scalp and hair follicles/shafts by which one can easily quantify hair density.
DIY - At-Home Tests
These are basic at-home techniques to measure hair density easily without having to go to a dermatologist or any other clinic for advice and/or lab tests.
- Is Your Scalp Visible?
This technique to measure hair density is common for both boys and girls but it is more prevalent for boys/men since once their hair density levels drop, they easily start to notice bald patches. Women, on the other hand, notice more of a widening partition as early signs. The first thing to do would be to just look at your natural dry hair state, and make sure not to make any kind of hair partition. Can you see your scalp without having to touch your hair? ( Maybe click a picture from the top so you get better clarity on what your head looks like from above ). If your answer is Yes, you can see your scalp, then you are someone that falls under the category of low-density hair. While if you really can’t see your scalp, then you’re golden and have good and high hair density and volume.
- Measure Your Ponytail
The best way for girls to self-measure their hair density is by simply tying their hair up in a ponytail. If you notice a lesser puff, this means your hair lies in the low-density range (less than 2 inches), the medium-density range would be anywhere between 2-3 inches and high-density falls under 4 inches or beyond.
Can You Increase Hair Density?
One thing is for sure you can’t change the number of active hair follicles.Hair density and thickness work hand-in-hand in making your mane look stronger and voluminous. So, in a way you can improve the density of your hair by managing the thickness of your hair strands.
How To Improve The Density Of Hair?
If from birth, you have low-density hair, then there is nothing much you can do to increase the number of hair follicles on your scalp. However, since hair thinning is interrelated to hair density, what you could do is try and improve the thickness and volume of the hair strands which can in turn reflect on hair density.
- Healthy Diet: One simple way to level up your hair density is by consuming a well-balanced and highly nutritious diet on a daily basis. Make sure to have one heavy meal a day that contains a majority of essential macro and micronutrients. The main ones include biotin, iron, zinc, folate, and all the vitamins necessary for hair.
- Using The Right Medicated Serums: Since we are targeting hair thickness to improve overall hair density, the use of clinically tested serums or serum ingredients like minoxidil or redensyl work on increasing the diameter of the hair strand with every hair cycle.
- Treating The Root Cause Of Your Hair Thinning: If you actually have hair thinning, it would be best if you take a look at what’s causing it. Stress could be a major factor involved in hair thinning that affects hair density too. Other factors include lack of sleep, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalance conditions like PCOS, Thyroid, and Diabetes; gut issues like chronic acidity, bloating, indigestion, constipation or more.
Takeaway
Hair density is not the same as hair thickness. Easy ways to measure hair density is by simply looking for scalp visibility in front of a mirror or for girls especially by measuring the ponytail. Just be sure of which hair density level you fall under since it can do a lot in terms of styling. However, if you have severe hair thinning which may or may not be accompanied by hair fall, you can diagnose your hair fall condition by taking Traya’s 2 min Free hair test here.
FAQs
Q1 - How Do I Know If My Hair Density Is Low?
Ans - In most cases, individuals with thin hair fall under this category. Styling your hair with products that uplift your hair with volume is best suited. You can also try out different haircuts, especially the bob cut.
Q2 - What Is A Good Density For Hair?
Ans - There’s no such thing as good or bad. But usually, medium hair-density individuals have nothing to worry about. Simply focus on keeping your hair healthy and strong since there’s not much maintenance. You can also experiment with different types of hairstyles. Just remember to get a regular trim to avoid split ends.
Q3 - How Do You Know If Your Hair Is High Or Low-Density?
Ans - Usually individuals with very curly hair are referred to as those with very high-density hair and those with thin hair are said to have low hair density.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3157785/
https://www.schwarzkopf.com/article-overview/hairstyling/do-i-have-thick-hair--time-to-find-out.html
