Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Gaga
I have been dealing with super flat and fine hair all my life. For so long I had been desperately trying to figure out how to give my hair a more lifted look. Over the years, I learned that, although flat hair can be difficult to manage, there are a few things that help to reduce my frustration. Today I’m going to share my experience with flat hair and provide some tips that helped give my lifeless hair more volume and movement. But first, let’s go over the most common causes of flat hair.
Why Does Hair Look Flat?
- Thin and fine hair: Thinning and fine hair are more likely to look flat than thick and dense hair.
- Oily hair: When your oil glands are over-active, your hair can get oily and flat soon after washing.
- Hair texture: Straight hair is more likely to look flat than curly hair. Curly strands take more space, giving more volume to your style.
- Porosity level: Unprocessed strands create less friction and the hair is more likely to look flat than colored or otherwise chemically treated hair.
- Inappropriate hair products: Moisturizing shampoos, 2-in-1 shampoos, hair oils, and sticky hairsprays can weigh down hair, making it look flatter.
- Too many products: Hair can become flat if you overuse certain styling products. Too many products can create buildup which makes hair look heavy.
- Hard water: Hard water in your shower can interfere with the cleansing action of your shampoo, reducing its efficiency. Plus, minerals from hard water can build up in your hair, weighing it down.
How to Revive Flat Hair
- Proper shampooing: I’ve noticed that if I apply shampoo only once, my hair will fall flat quickly. But if I apply shampoo twice and take time to massage my scalp well, my hair will be clean and feel fluffy for a longer amount of time. Using a shampoo brush is an added plus.
- Skipping conditioner: I avoid using conditioner regularly because it makes my hair look flatter. I only apply conditioner after using a clarifying shampoo and I focus on applying it to the ends of my hair. I leave the conditioner on for 30 seconds or less before rinsing it off.
- Volumizing shampoos: These shampoos give me the effect of slightly more voluminous hair. Even a small improvement can be helpful when you are struggling with the problem of flat hair. I use clarifying shampoo twice a month to remove buildup from volumizing shampoos and other products.
- Shampoo rotation: After using the same shampoo for a long period I notice that it loses its effectiveness and begins to leave my hair feeling heavy. Rotating several shampoos helps to lift my flat-looking hair and adds more bounce and movement.
- Blow-drying: Blow-drying gives more lift to my hair than air drying. Massaging the scalp in a circular motion with my hand while blow-drying helps to keep hair from falling flat quickly. Using a round brush works to lift the roots and creates a more voluminous look. Blow drying with my head upside down lifts the hair away from the scalp and helps my blowout last longer.
- Dry shampoo: Dry shampoo eliminates excess sebum and dirt and gives my hair an extra boost of volume. In addition to soaking oil, it also absorbs sweat that can ruin my hairstyle, and make the hair look heavy. I usually apply dry shampoo the day after washing and it keeps my hair from falling flat during the next two days.
- Collagen supplements: Taking collagen pills makes my hair appear thicker and fuller. It may take about two months to see some improvement. When I stop taking the collagen, the positive effects start to fade gradually.
- Perm: A mild perm is a great way to add some texture and lift to flat and thin hair. I am not a big fan of tight curls, so traditional perms are not an option. For me, a body wave perm is perfect for adding volume and natural waves.
- Coloring: Colored hair is less prone to fall flat than virgin hair. The coloring process leaves hair more porous and increases the friction between hair fibers, which means your hair won’t fall flat as easily. However, before you decide to dye your hair, make sure you’re aware of the damaging effects of hair dyes and be careful to consider permanent coloring.
- Appropriate haircut: Sometimes you just need the right haircut to revive your flat and lifeless strands and give your hair more body. It is much easier to keep short hair from falling flat than long hair. Short pixie and long angled bob are some good examples.
- Gel: Hair gels helped me obtain good lift and hold when I had very short hair. Longer hair is hard to comb with gel residue in it and can break easily.
- Hair rollers for volume: If you have long hair, try using large curlers. You won’t get curls, but you can get more lift and volume. You can also try using foam curlers overnight to wake up with voluminous hair in the morning.
- Appropriate hairstyle: The right styling can resolve the problem of flat hair. Sometimes hair needs a little help to stay lifted. A double ponytail, top knot, or French twist are some examples.
Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.