If you have limp hair, you may feel like you have a bad hair day, every day. This article will explain the causes of limp hair and provide you with some easy fixes.
So, what is limp hair? In a nutshell, it’s hair that looks lifeless and lacks volume. Easy ways to fix limp hair include using volumizing hair products, trimming your hair, conditioning correctly, and using the right styling techniques (e.g. blow dry your hair upside down).
What Is Limp Hair?
The standard for healthy hair is hair that’s thick, bouncy, and full of life. This is the type of hair that most people wish they had.
But, unfortunately, people with fine hair end up with hair that has no volume or style. That’s limp hair.
There are many adjectives that can be used to describe limp hair. Limp hair is flat, lifeless, and lank.
Having limp hair can be frustrating because of how the hair hangs in an unattractive way.
While there’s not much you can do to change the texture of your limp hair, the good news is, it’s possible to create the illusion of luscious locks with a few tips and tricks.
What Causes Limp Hair?
There are several reasons why you may have limp hair:
You Have Naturally Fine Hair
This is the most common reason behind limp hair.
When your hair is very fine, it means that each strand is thin and has a very small diameter. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have a full head of hair or you have thinning hair.
In fact, people with fine hair tend to have more hair follicles than people with thickly textured hair. Because of the slim hairs, your scalp has room for more hair strands.
The only problem is that an abundance of hair follicles results in a scalp environment that’s too oily, which robs your hair of the body and bounce it would normally have.
Each strand of hair is attached to an oil gland, so the excessive oil production eventually weighs the hair down, making the hair look flat and limp.
People with thin hair also have limp hair because the scalp doesn’t have enough hair strands to create a voluminous look.
Using The Wrong Hair Products
You can still end up with limp hair even if you’re not genetically predisposed to have fine hair.
If your hair texture isn’t classified as fine, chances are your limp hair is caused by using hair products incorrectly.
For instance, if you use hair products excessively and don’t wash or rinse your hair enough, you could end up with greasy hair that’s weighed down by residue.
Also, using products that are not compatible with your hair texture can leave you with limp hair.
Even if you’re using products tailored to your locks, the incorrect application of these products can cause limp hair.
A typical example is when you apply conditioner to your roots, flattening your hair.
Your Styling Technique Is Bad
When heat styling your hair, getting too close to the roots can cause your hair to look flat.
This usually happens when using a hair straightener to add more length.
Sometimes you might overdo it with a flat iron when trying to fight frizzy hair.
Other times, flat hair is just a result of choosing the wrong hairstyle, having hair that’s too long, or hair that lacks proper layering.
How To Fix Limp Hair
Here are some top tips for making your limp hair look more breezy, bouncy, and full-bodied:
Trim Your Hair
Longer hair weighs more, so it’s easy to have hair that looks limp if your tresses fall below your shoulders. On the other hand, shorter hair tends to look thicker.
Layer Your Hair
Fine hair can always benefit from extra layers.
Choosing a layered hairstyle helps to add permanent volume and movement.
When getting your haircut, ask your hairstylist to add some choppy layers so you can have hair with a bit more swing to it.
Wash Your Hair Regularly and Rinse Thoroughly
If your limp hair is caused by build-up, a hair detox can help.
Use a detox shampoo and conditioner to cleanse your hair and scalp and remove accumulated dirt, dust, and oil.
This restores bounce and shine, making your hair look more alive.
Be sure to rinse the shampoo out thoroughly. Otherwise, any residue will keep your hair weighed down.
Use Volumizing Hair Products
There are hair products specifically designed to plump out your hair, including volumizing shampoo and conditioner.
You can also style your hair using a volume spray to create the illusion of fuller hair.
Alternatively, use a volumizing mousse infused with thickening agents that won’t weigh your hair down.
Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down
Blow drying your hair upside down is called backcombing your hair, and it works because it teases your roots.
Before backcombing your hair, shampoo and condition first. While your hair is still damp, blow dry it as it hangs forward.
Use gentle strokes to brush the hair in the direction it’s hanging. As mentioned, this teases the roots and adds volume at the crown of the head.
Once your hair is dry, flip it back into place and style as usual.
Change Your Hairstyle
Wearing the right hairstyle helps to give limp hair the lift it needs.
For instance, changing the parting of your hair causes your hair to fall a different way. This teases your roots and can pump some volume into your hairdo.
Another hairstyle that works for limp hair is a half-up hairstyle. A small top knot adds height and creates instant volume.
Similarly, using rollers in your hair gives you bouncy curls that have more volume.
Use a Lightweight Conditioner and Dry Shampoo
As mentioned, hair products can add extra weight to hair strands, making them look limp and lifeless.
In that case, you can benefit from using dry shampoo that absorbs excess oils and gives your strands a boost.
A lightweight conditioner also works to detangle limp hair and add more volume without also adding extra weight.
Apply Hair Products Correctly
You may be using the right products for your hair texture, but if you’re applying conditioner to your roots, you’ll still end up with limp hair.
Ideally, hair conditioner should be applied from the mid-shaft up to the ends only.
Don’t worry about your roots because they are conditioned by natural oils produced by glands in the scalp. Applying conditioner or hair serum to the roots will only weigh down your strands.
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