In today’s world of beauty, both women and men can’t comprehend why we have so much hair on our bodies.
While we shave almost every part of our body, the hair growing on your skin has a vital purpose.
But mostly it keeps you warm. No wonder the people from the cold north are usually hairier. The human hair is vital especially in the beauty industry but so is its thickness. Did you know that this is important?
The hair thickness ranges from 0.002-0.00067 inches. So many factors determine the difference.
But one thing is somehow true and it’s that the blonde hair is often the thinnest because it lacks the middle layer that the black and other hairs have.
What Is the Thickness of Human Hair?
The thickness refers to the diameter of a strand of hair. Do not confuse this with the density. Most people think that thickness refers to volume and hair density. But the density is the number of hairs you have in a square inch of your head.
If you have a larger diameter the hair is considered thick but if you have a thinner diameter than the hair is considered fine.
Here’s What You Didn’t Know and Need to Know
- Your hair is majorly made of keratin which is a form of protein.
- Then it contains 10 to 15% of water.
- The 5-10% remainder is mostly minerals lipids and pigment.
- With your hair strand, you have the cuticle layer which is the outer structure of your hair. Then you have the inside cortex that is made of 80% of hair mass.
How Thick Is Human Hair?
There’s one thing you ought to know and it’s that the diameter of the human hair which describes the thickness varies.
We all have different thickness at different times or weather conditions or on different parts of our head.
What’s more, your genetic composition will cause a major difference in the hair from that of other people.
However, according to research done by Brian Ley, in 1999, the thickness of the hair ranges from 17-181 millionths of a meter.
In Europe, if you have hair that ranges from 0.04-0.06mm, the hair is thin.
If you, however, have hair that is 0.06 -0.08mm, the hair is average but when the hair is between 0.08-1mm then the hair is very thick.
What Causes the Difference in The Thickness of The Hair?
There are several factors that make the hair thick or not thick. But the major ones are as follows.
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Genetic composition
We are all born with a unique genetic composition. This affects everything about and around us. The way your hair is structured on your head determines how thick/thin and the color it has among other aspects of the hair.
This, however, is not to say that you can’t change the structure of your hair because you can with proper care.
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The color
Did you know that generally, those with dark hair have thicker strands than those with lighter colored hair.
Take a look at the women with dark hair and lighter hair. You will notice that women with dark hair have denser hair which goes to say that they most likely have thick strands.
This is attributed to the melanin composition of the hair. The melanin composition when deposited to our hair strands usually gets dark and then thick. But when you have less melanin then you might experience the fineness.
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Environmental conditions
The environmental conditioner too has massive effects on the hair. If the weather is humid the hair gets thicker than when it’s cold. It often leads to frizz as well as the hair cuticles opening in search of moisture.
This is to say that it may affect those with thick hair. The warmer the weather, the more the chances of developing thick hair.
How Do You Measure the Thickness?
There are a number of techniques you can use to measure your hair thickness.
1. The accurate one is using the laser diffraction method
Here you use the single colored light of the laser and focus it on a single strand of your long hair. When the light hits the strand, it leads to diffraction. At this point, the scientists simply measure the bends of waves formed by diffraction to determine the exact thickness.
The video on how to use the laser to measure the hair width.
2. Another method is in the comparison of the hair strand with the sewing thread
Clean your hair off the products you may have used as that may alter the outcome.
Simply, pluck the strand from the middle point of your hair then place it on a clean surface. Place it against the thread then check the width size difference.
If the hair appears the same width as the thread or It’s just a little bit under the width of the thread, we classify your hair as thick hair. But if it appears much slimmer, the hair is on the fine side of the hair.
3. How about the between the finger method?
This is even easier because you just take a strand of your hair and place it between your fingers. If you can feel the hair and its coarseness, the hair is thick but if you can’t feel anything, the hair is fine.
So, you can have the following results.
Fine hair: this is where your hair is lower than average thickness. I know most people get confused when we say your hair is fine while the opposite of thickness is thinness.
So, the fineness of your hair refers to the diameter of your hair strand. Thin hair refers to the density of the hair. It’s the count of hair strands on your head. In this case, though you have fewer count than average.
Medium hair: this is the average thickness where the diameter of your hair is at about 0.06-0.08 inches. This is to say your hair is neither fine nor thick it’s at the average level. It’s usually a little bit stronger than the fine hair but it requires conditioning to maintain it.
Thick hair: the hair strands are higher than average. Its diameter is above 0.08inches. This hair is normally stronger but it also needs some TLC. Some people complain that it’s hard to take care of the hair. However, when you know how to take care of your hair you will enjoy it.
Some of The Problems Those with Thick Hair Face
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It tangles a lot
Since you have thicker strands your hair tends to tangle and mate a lot. This, however, poses a threat because you won’t use the regular brushes that you use with the medium thick hair.
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You must use particular brushes
Most of the brushes are designed for average thickness. Thicker hair will break the brush bristles and combs too.
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The hot weather makes it thicker
When the weather gets warmer your hair begins to get even thicker. When it gets thick it becomes even more unmanageable.
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It’s hard to style
For those of us who love ponytails, when you have thick hair you will take hours getting it together. In fact, some styles won’t just pass. In the end, you even develop headaches.
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Washing it is some work and drying it even worse
When you are washing the hair, you use much more conditioner than any other product. The thick hair doesn’t get enough of conditioners.
Drying the hair is even worse. It takes longer if you decide that you airdrying. Even when you use the hairdryer it still takes longer for the heat to penetrate the strands and dry it.
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It sheds a lot
You have thick strands but the hair sheds a lot more. You will have your strands everywhere and this can be frustrating.
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Blow dry? No
When you need to straighten the hair, you need time and energy. Some hairdressers literary flee away when they realize that you have thick hair and you need it blow-dried.
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The hair frizz often
Now, this is one major problem with those who have thick hair. Let’s find out why by understanding the term first.
What is frizz?
This is the hair that when you look at doesn’t align with the other surrounding hairs. It curls or stands out differently.
This usually happens when the cuticle of the strand is lifted. It then allows moisture to pass through thus causing a swell on the hair strand. So, if you can make the cuticle lie flat your strands will be frizz-free.
Frizz is often caused by so many things but the major cause is dryness. Dry hair is a typical characteristic of a thick-haired man or woman. So, the hair looks for alternatives to moisturize the hair by lifting the cuticles and staying open thus causing frizz.
By taking care of your hair you will combat the problem.
Taking Care of The Thick Hair
In a world where everyone loves hair, so many people wish for the thick hair not knowing the work it entails. But, if you have thick hair already and people you know want it, you know the work that comes with it.
Of course, we all love volume but then when you have to spend hours styling it, no one enjoys it. You have to be careful about the products you use because it will break or make the hair.
Thick hair products
It looks unrealistic for your thick hair to be dry but its mostly dry. So, you should use most products that will moisturize and hydrate it. The products you use should also be those that aim at getting rid of the frizz.
4. Use hair oils
I know for a fact that hair oils will not only nourish your hair but also moisturize them. I think is the most natural way to moisturize it. Below are the samples of the oils to use.
Coconut oil: I love this oil, from its scent to the way it nourishes the skin and hair. This is the oil that you should never miss. It usually stays inside the hair strand thus moisturizing it from the inside out.
If you have thick hair, use this oil as a mask every week and you will see a difference on the hair.
Argan oil: this is another favorite oil that most people like. It contains antioxidants, fatty acids vitamin E among other components. The oil will keep your hair fighting the frizz.
5. Use an avocado hair mask
This is the other mask that will work to restore your hair shine as it repairs the damages and add moisture. It particularly fights the frizz.
Stop washing the hair all the time
While you may want to wash your hair almost every day, just don’t. After all, your hair is most likely a dry kind of hair. What’s more, if you wash your hair frequently you might end up stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Keep it hydrated
Your major aim is to keep the hair hydrated by opting for a sulfate-free shampoo and cleansing conditioner. The formula also keeps your hair elastic and keep it more polished.
Trim trim
The hair will develop split ends every so often so you should trim them in order to still maintain the fullness and thickness of the hair. Get the hair trimmed every after 6-8 weeks.
Braid the hair
When your hair is thick and full of volume, it will look luscious and yet healthy. The braid also keeps the hair looking good.
Thinning Shear
You can use thinning shears for your hair if it looks too thick to tame. It will remove the bulk from the hair and therefore shed some of the strands.
Your diet matters
At the end of the day, what you consume matters a lot. If you can have the right vitamins and veggies as well as fatty acids your hair will be overall healthy.
What If You Have Fine Hair?
If you have fine hair and would love to develop thick hair, there are some things you need to do. Although the thickness of the hair is mostly based on the genetic composition, there are things you can do to level up.
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Avoid stress
When you are stressed, your body is often affected negatively. You develop the unhealthy strands and most likely this will lead to the hair becoming fine. So, stay happy and avoid sweating the small stuff.
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Develop a habit of taking healthy diet
While most of us are not so much into the concern of eating healthy, you should. Your hair will benefit from the right foods. Eat enough proteins, omega 3s, vitamins A and D among other nutritious fatty acids.
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Use the right products
You shouldn’t use shampoos that will strip your hair strands of its natural oils. You should focus on conditioners and shampoos that add moisture to the hair as it hydrates it. Be careful too that the products you use don’t form build ups.
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Quite using hot tools
It’s never easy to avoid the dryers and flat irons but you have to at some point. Hot tools will make your hair look styled for a moment but then lead to too much damage to the hair. When you get rid of the hot tools then you get rid of too much damage.
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Use some creative regimens
Your hair needs protein because the major components of the hair is normally keratin. So, you can use eggs to help thicken it. Also use avocado, castor and olive oil for the hair.
FAQ’s
How many hairs does an average person have?
When you are born, you usually have about 100,000 follicles on your head. This, however, differs with the hair color.
Blonde people usually have more hair follicles at about 150,000 while redhead and black hair people have 90,000 and 110000 respectively.
On average though you have about 5 million hair follicles on your entire body.
I lose so much hair, is it normal?
For those of us with thick hair, hair loss is almost like a normal thing. But how much hair loss is actually normal. Notice that on a day you will lose about 100strands of hair.
This may not be noticeable for many people compared to the hair strands you have. But when you begin losing more hundreds of strands a day, then you should be concerned.
How to first tell that you have thick hair
You will do a simple test. Tie your hair in a ponytail and if you realize that every time you tie your hair the band snaps that’s the first indication that you have thick hair.
Is it okay for me to use hair extension with my thick hair?
Yes, it is. You can use hair extension only make sure you choose those that suit your hair type.
Why is knowing the thickness of my hair necessary?
It’s important because the product you need to use with your hair. Also, you will know how to style it and handle it.
In conclusion
Note that all hair structure is good, you only need to know the right way to maintain it after knowing the type. While some people complain that it’s hard to manage, it won’t be for you.