Ask the Experts

It sounds to me like you need to try changing your washing technique. Before applying shampoo, run water through your hair for at least a minute – this helps get rid of any product residue and prep the hair for shampoo. When you do apply your shampoo, make sure you massage it into a really good lather. For a more effective clean, work the shampoo in with your fingertips, in circular motions, starting at the hairline and moving down to the nape of your neck, only massaging shampoo in to your roots, and letting it cleanse the rest of the hair as you rinse the product out. Try a second shampoo if you’ve been using a lot of product, as you may be suffering from a build-up that’s causing residue and leaving your hair with that sticky feel. Regular shampoo isn’t always enough to cut through excessive and long-term product build-up from serums, sprays and heat protectant products, so if a second shampoo doesn’t work, try a clarifying shampoo. Be sure to completely rinse out your shampoo before applying conditioner. Overuse of conditioner can potentially cause hair to become weighed down and sticky, so avoid this by only applying it where it’s needed. As a general rule, when applying conditioner stick to applying it just through the ends: the oldest and therefore driest part of your hair that needs it the most.

Work the conditioner into the very bottom of your hair, slathering on any leftover product up the mid-lengths, but no higher. This should help to avoid using excess product that can cause build-up and stickiness. Again make sure you rinse out the conditioner properly, to avoid that sticky texture. You may also be using a conditioner that is too heavy for your hair type. If you have fine or naturally oily hair, you may not need to use something as heavy as someone with thick, dry, coarse or damaged hair. If that’s the case, switch to a lightweight conditioner or even a leave-in conditioning spray. Using too much heat on the head can both exacerbate oiliness (which could be causing your hair to ‘stick’) and increase static in the hair, so wash your hair with lukewarm water, never hot, and finish with a cool rinse, plus a cool blast of the hairdryer once you’re finished styling, to smooth the hair and reduce your chances of static.

Hair thinning can be caused by a number of factors, from genetics to stress, and some of these won’t be determined from a standard blood test, so speaking to a qualified Trichologist at a clinic such as ’Unlimited Hairloss Solutions’ can help you to determine the cause of your thinning. If you’re confident that the thinning has stopped and your hair is starting to return, the fine ends are most likely to be the thinner hairs that grew during that phase. Avoiding damaging and thinning these ends further is important, so avoiding heated appliances is a good start, and using products that will strengthen and fortify your strands will also help. Regular micro trims will also help, by preventing these finer, weaker ends from splitting, without compromising the length of your hair. Don’t be put off because you’re concerned about losing length: blunt, freshly chopped ends will create the appearance of fuller, thicker locks. ...More >

At Westrow we’re big fans of layering products to create body and hold in fine hair, before styling into an up-do or a style that requires extra hold. We use thickening sprays to create the foundation of fuller hair, which are perfect for clients who require extra body in finer locks. You can also use a mousse that will add body, weight and texture and use on damp hair before blow-drying.

A great tip for added oomph and lift is to use a little mousse on dry hair – rather than wet – before blow-drying, to seal in the product. This is a pro tip that many hairstylists use for creating serious volume. Texturizing products that create a little bit of ‘grit’ in the hair are also ideal for building texture into fine limp locks that don’t hold a style easily. Don’t work on freshly washed hair – leave at least a day or two after washing – and spray hair with a strong-hold hairspray before and after styling, making sure you distribute the spray evenly through the hair – not forgetting to spray the underneath sections.