Hair density is the third post in the Unboxing Natural Hair series. Previously we talked about hair type and hair porosity and discussed how they connect. If you haven’t read these post you might want to check them and come back here. Today we will talk about hair density – what it is, how to identify it and why it is important.
What Is Hair Density?
Well, hair density and hair texture get easily mixed up. So, we will clear this up first before diving any further into density. Hair texture refers to the width/thickness of the hair it tells us if the hair is fine, medium or coarse. Hair density, on the other hand, tells us how much hair or how many strands of hair you have in your scalp. Ideally, you would count the number of hair strands you have in a 1″x 1″ section, however, to me this sounds like a mad and impossible mission to accomplish. Keep reading and find an easier way to determine your hair density.
How Do I Know My Hair Density?
To determine hair density you should let your dry hair hang loose since wet hair tends to appear thinner. Then, looking at a mirror, you should observe it carefully. Are you able to see your scalp? If you can see your scalp you have low density, if you can see parts of it, you have medium density. On the other hand, if it is difficult or nearly impossible to see your scalp you have high density.
Why It’s Important & How It Relates To Hair Type And Porosity?
Determining your hair density, along with curl pattern and porosity, is important because it will allow you to choose the right products and hair styles for your hair’s volume.
Low density hair needs light products that won’t weigh it down. Try not to layer too many products and avoid heavy oil and butters, you will run the risk of looking like a wet chick. This hair lacks volume and because of this, it will benefit from volumizing products and mousses.
Medium density hair is one which can be fun to play with. Individuals in this category can add volume to their hair by using mousses or paly it down with the use of butters. Their hair can reveal its true curl pattern in a simple wash and go or it can be texturized with twists and braids. Just let your creativity run free!
High density hair needs heavier products such as butters, gels and creams to reduce the volume of their hair. However, if you love volume just show your mane and be proud! Individuals with high density hair will also have a harder time detangling their hair, but if you section your hair and use loads of conditioner this will become an easier task.
In my next pos,t I will talk about hair texture and elasticity and its relevance to hair maintenance.
What is your hair density? Have you done the mirror test?
14 thoughts on “Unboxing Natural Hair – What Is Hair Density?”
I never really though about hair density, but I guess it affects the styles people can have a lot. Using the right products helps greatly, but first you need information as what you get here. I love your posts, everytime I stop by you teach me something new. 🙂
Hi Debra, I’m so happy that you find my posts informative and that they trigger you to think of things you hadn’t before. 🙂
Hi Monica,
Judging from your description, it sounds like I have a medium to high hair density for the past 30 years. That explains why I replenish my conditioner more often than my shampoo.
By the way (sorry to digress here), I recently bought a shampoo that says Paraben-free. What kind of side effect can paraben caused to our hair?
Thank you.
Hi Cathy, parabens is a synthetic preservative used for many years in many products. Recently, there has been a growing number of products with the paraben-free stamp/label and this is because recent studies have found traces of paraben in some cancers. This has caused people’s attention and the demand for products without it. Although, some say the amounts are so minimal and support its continued use, I say the less chemicals you have the better. Skin is our largest organ and it absorbs chemicals easily. Even if it is in minute quantities what can it do to your body over years of use? We can’t deny that we all now know someone with cancer. Chemical are all around us in our greens, cosmetics, cleaning products and so on. If we can reduce exposure to them I say, great! It’s great that you’re now using a paraben-free shampoo. 🙂
Omg Monica , I really learned a lot by reading this post.. I now know my hair texture, density, and what products would work best for my hair type. You are a lifesaver for a person like me, who’s only been natural for 2 months now… Thank you , and please keep the information coming, because you definitely got my full attention.?
Hi Patricia!
Wow, I’m so glad you took so much out of this post series. That was definitely my main goal when I started blogging and I am delighted whenever I get a comment or an email from readers sharing how much they love the content here. Please keep coming back, comment and share with others (sharing=caring).
What if you have low density and high porosity, or high density but low porosity..? AS you said high porosity needs heavy moisture but low density needs light products… How do you combine those to? Dosnt that make it almost imposible to find the right products?
Im really trying to conect all te important dots hear. I am a transitioning girl and i have been studying everything i can and tried to put it all together to find exactly What my hair needs. But this just made me confused.
Hi Sarah, sorry if this left you confused. I hope my answer to your last question cleared things up.
Hi Sarah,
When I say light or heavy products I mean their consistency, but this can change for some people. Anyway, texture is important but more important is finding your hair needs, which you can do by finding its porosity. Then focus on the ingredients in your products. But to answer your question, if your hair is high porosity and fine you may need to look for products that have ingredients that attract and retain moisture like sealing oils (but not too heavy as castor, at least not in first 5 ingredients so your hair is not too heavy and limp), moisturising ingredients like panthenol, aloe vera, fatty alcohols, amino acids, hydrolyzed protein. Find what your hair needs and then focus on the ingredients. Know your ingredients and you’ll find what you need. Sorry for the late reply.
Take care.
Hello,
This blog very nice and long and short natural hair is caring product oils is helping and High-density natural hair. thank you for share this post
You’re welcome. Glad you love this space. 🙂
Hello,
I like the blog natural hair is very nice and it benefits curly hair. thank you for share
You’re welcome Alice.