Hair DensityHair density: Definition and importance

Every time that we refer to the hair, a lot is said about colour, type, length, porosity, and cut. However, one important thing that we ignore is the density of the hair. And to be honest, completely, this is because most people seem not to know the meaning of hair density. Never mind, there are lots of us that are guilty about this.

Though usually misunderstood, the density of the hair is very important. There are different levels of density – which can be low, medium, and high hair density. Truthfully, this density is a major determinant factor in the manner we care for the hair plus the style we do on it. The density of the hair, helps us look deeply into how our hair locks appear.

What does hair density mean?

When we refer to hair density, people often misconstrue this for hair thinness or its thickness. However, the truth is that the density of the hair is used to refer to the number of strands of hair present on the scalp of the head. Your density is discovered by the closeness of the different strands of hair in your scalp. With this closeness of hairs in the scalp, you can determine the level of thickness or thinness of the hair.

You can find your hair density by determining the number of follicles of the hair at every square inch in the scalp. This means that while the hair might look thick or thin, this has nothing to do with your hair density. This means that it is possible to have very fine/thin hair with high hair density. Also, it is possible to have full, thick hair which comes with a low density as well.

 

What does average hair density mean?

Recent research discovered that the average hair quantity in the human scalp is between 80,000 and 120,000, however, this might vary due to different reasons, such as hair type, age, and such things as nutritional deficiencies. Also, before we plunge fully into the subject matter, we do not have an ideal hair density – it is a fact that everybody has individual hair.

Research recently discovered that it is likely that age is a factor, with the hair density of participants decreasing when they seem to be getting older. This is relatable since people seem to experience hair thinning as they grow older – this means lessening density.

The average density of the hair works based on human genetics, however, there are different patterns within different colours of the hair. “Blondes seem to have the highest amount of separate hair strands within a scalp area and they have about 140,000 hairs. While Brunettes seem to have an average of 120,000 hairs, and the redheads have the lowest hair density at about 90,000 hairs.

 

How do you measure the density of the hair?

Unsurprisingly, we have various ways that the density of the hair can be measured. To begin, whenever your visit the local trichologist, you could get a microscope to analyse the hair scale and find out their number of hairs you have growing in a follicle as well as in every square centimetre. People can grow out hair with a range from one to six hair for every follicle.

Those that grow out between one and two hairs a follicle are typically termed as having low density, average density would be around three and four, while high density would be between five and six.

You can do a hair density assessment in your home by taking the front part of the hair and try pulling this to one side. When your scalp seems visible, this means your hair is a low-density type. But, in the case that you are not able to see your hair scalp, this means a high density. People who are somewhere in the middle of these two cases will be said that they have a medium hair density.

Importantly, you will need to note that there are various areas in your hair scalp that comes with various densities. Therefore, do not be surprised if an area in your hair appears denser compared to other parts. According to experts, this is completely a normal phenomenon.

People with sufficiently long hair can also try the ponytail hair test: the following are the grades;

  • Your hair is low density if the circumference of the ponytail is below 2 inches.
  • The hair is of a medium density of you have a circumference that is between 2 and 4 inches.
  • The hair is high density if you have a circumference that is over 4 inches.

 

In what way does our hair density affect the way we care for our hair?

Expectedly, the density of our hairs does not play any role in the way we should care for and style the hair. This is one of the easily overlooked factors of the hair.

 

Hair of low density

People whose hair density is low, should not apply products that are oil-based since they will end up weighing down the hair and will then decrease the density appearance. Products such as leave-in hair conditioners, oil-based hair scalp treatments, and heavy hair dry shampoos should not be used for people whose hair density is low.

Besides the hair density influencing the product types we should on our hair, it is also a significant factor in the way that we cut or style our hair. People whose hair have low density should go for the cut with heavy and blunt lines. The heavy curtain bang or the blunt bang can give the hair a thicker appearance.

 

The hair with high density

People with hair that come with strands of higher density can decide to go for products that are richer and thicker. There are various factors like the curl type and the porosity which will also significantly affect the product that we use. People that do not know where they can begin, can see hairstylists or a trichologist for the best option for their type of hair.

For people whose hair have high density, they can go for the cut that comes with more layers and texture. This would be useful in freeing the hair from the weight. You must get a stylist that is an expert in hair thinning to avoid any damage and not to have bulky roots that come with ends that are thin. And while this isn’t purely the style that you are trying to achieve, it is recommended not o go for the DIY cut in this scenario. The best thing for you to do is to let the pros handle this.

 

Can the density of the hair possibly be increased?

Whereas it is not possible to add more strands of the hair to every follicle (this is only done by genetics), we have useful ways to increase the appearance of the hair that is denser. This is where the thickening and volumizing products find their usefulness. Just think about the texturizing sprays, the volumizing mouses, the dry shampoo, and the thickening sprays. You could use several hair spritzes or pumps alongside the hair flip will increase the volume of your hair strands.

 

How do you improve the density of the hair?

Because the density of the hair is controlled by your DNA, hair follicle damage is the only thing that can lead to a change. People who think that their poor hair density is because of damage to their hair follicles, they can get a good assessment when they pay their trichologist a visit. It can be very difficult (in some cases – impossible) to reverse the damage already done to the follicles. This means that you will need to get professional help.

When the hair comes with a lesser density, this can be in certain cases traced to the nutrition that we take. People who think that their condition might be down to a deficiency in nutrition would need to see their doctors to test out their levels. The following common nutrients could be linked: Iron, Vitamin C, Biotin, Zinc, Vitamin D and B vitamins.

 

Conclusion

While we would love the opportunity to control the strands of our hair, truthfully, this is not possible. However, if we want to make the hair look less dense, there is a hair product that does that. However, finally, knowing our hair density types will allow us to know our cuts, styles, and the way we properly care for our hair. And those people that we need not go several more days with good hair.