How to get volume in fine hair, according to experts

How fine hair differs from other hair types

Physically, fine hair is smaller in diameter than medium or thick hair, which makes the strands narrower and more prone to damage.

You may also find that your hair gets greasier faster. “Every hair follicle on your head has an oil gland that produces sebum,” explains Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley. “Those with fine hair, tend to have more hairs per cm on their head than those with thicker, coarser or coiled hair textures and therefore more oil glands producing more sebum,” she continues. “This is the reason those with fine hair often feel their hair gets greasy quickly.”

How to add volume to fine hair

Invest in the right volumiser for fine hair

“In the short term, styling can create the illusion of thicker hair by enhancing lift,” says Rob. “Coupled with the best volumising products, this can add structure and texture. The effects will clearly vary from person to person in terms of how long the style will last – for some it may be a couple of days, for others it may only be a couple of hours.”

One way to extend the amount of time fine hair looks full and bouncy is with a lightweight mousse (Rob recommends Larry King’s My Nanna’s Mousse – it’s a product I use a lot too as it plumps up hair without weighing it down). Another is with volume sprays. Just be sure to avoid products laced with heavy silicones or waxes.

Get volume at the roots when you blow-dry

The key to injecting lift into fine hair is to spray a non-sticky volumiser onto damp hair. “Volumising sprays should be added mainly to the root area and dried into the roots whilst they are lifted,” Rob advises. “Once dry, the hair can have more oomf added by using texture sprays and root lifting powders.”

Then blow-dry by lifting your roots up and away from your scalp using a brush. If you’re going for a full-glam look you can also wrap your hair in rollers and pin them until your strands feel cool to the touch.

Use the slow speed setting on your hairdryer

Take large sections and choose a lower heat and slower speed setting on your hairdryer to avoid tangling the hair and, in turn, causing damage. Too much heat also encourages your scalp to produce more sebum, which leads to greasy roots, undoing all your hard work.

Massage your scalp

If styling products are a short-term solution for how to get volume in fine hair, then massaging your scalp is the long-term strategy. Healthy hair follicles with good circulation create the optimal condition for hair growth and a more permanent solution to limp hair.

“A healthy scalp is imperative to healthy hair,” says Rob. “Scalp scrubs can be used regularly alongside a scalp massager to help prevent blocked follicles, inflammation and poor circulation, all of which can lead to thinning. In cases of severe hair loss, try micro-needling or red light therapy once a week.” You could also try one of our editor-recommended hair growth serums.