By Gloria X.
As a Korean girl with relatively straight and thin hair, it’s always been a challenge for my hair to appear fuller and more voluminous than it actually is. Generally, Asian hair tends to be bone straight, and even fine hair can be hard to curl. Mine usually just lies limp and flat. So, after switching shampoos a million times and using a curling iron, I nearly gave up on trying to achieve anything beyond its original state.
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But, after doing some research and talking to some of my Korean friends about how they take care of their hair, I learned that I don’t need chemicals and sketchy products to plump up my hair. There are natural remedies that are easy to implement while knowing exactly what’s going into your hair to achieve your desired effects.
Here are a few of the methods I’ve learned that are helping me to achieve the hair of my dreams.
Add Oils To Your (Hair) Diet
While the natural oil, or sebum, in your scalp may contribute to flatness, adding natural oils like coconut, jojoba, argan, and olive oils can be beneficial in strengthening your hair, reviving its natural luster, and creating a fuller and healthier appearance. Natural oils have numerous benefits for your hair, acting as a sealant, heat protectant, and booster all in one. They seal down the cuticle and provide protection against heat damage from curlers, straighteners, and hair dryers. They also contain healthy fatty acids to replace the lipids in your hair that die away with splitting and damage.
The best part is, natural oils can be customized and combined according to your preferences and needs. If you have dry and damaged hair, coconut oil is great for moisturization. Argan oil makes your hair shiny and soft, and olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants, is perfect for protecting your hair follicles and calming straight and frizzy hair.
You may not even need to make a trip to the store as these oils are great in that they are usually lying around somewhere in your kitchen. Because these natural oils are cheap, versatile, and common, using this natural hair remedy is sure to strengthen straighter and oilier hair types and provide it with all the protection it needs.
No More Hot Showers
When I get to the end of a long day, a nice hot shower seems like the best remedy for de-stressing and soaking away all of my troubles. However, research shows that as much as hot showers can feel relaxing, it’s better to take colder showers in order to help close your hair cuticles to lead to shinier and fuller hair. Opt for taking warmer showers as opposed to hot ones, and finish off by rinsing strands with cold water to seal in the moisture and avoid drying out the sebum layer, which acts as a natural lubricating barrier that offers protection to your hair.
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Research Your Haircare Products
It’s easy to become attached to your shampoos and conditioners, but it’s important to check that the ingredients do more than make your hair smell good. Look for haircare products that contain natural oils (natural oils to the rescue again!) that can strengthen your hair, get rid of frizziness, and create that voluminous look you’re going for. Choose ones that are free of potentially harmful ingredients like phthalates, parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils.
Skip Wash Day
It’s also important to note that straighter and less dense hair doesn’t need to be washed every day. Shampooing is necessary to remove excess oil and keep your scalp clean, but washing your hair too frequently will strip away those natural oils and lead to drier and more damaged hair. Try shampooing your hair every other day, and you’ll slowly see fresher-looking hair! As for conditioner, focus on applying the product primarily to the ends of your hair so as not to dry out or weigh down the scalp. This way, you’ll be keeping your hair moisturized without adding unnecessary product to your roots.
Quick Methods
While change takes time, there are a couple of quick methods you can try to see immediate volume in your hair! First, try blow-drying your hair upside down on low to medium heat (with a heat protectant, if necessary). This will add volume at the roots that will stay even when it dries. You can also try wrapping your hair with a t-shirt instead of with a towel, as towels tend to be too harsh on the scalp and hair and also leads to frizziness. A t-shirt is much more gentle and can be used to softly massage the scalp.
And lastly, there are a variety of no-heat curl methods you can try in order to go for a fuller appearance in your hair. Whether it’s using curling rolls or wrapping a scarf around your hair, a quick Google search will provide you with numerous ways to achieve a voluminous look overnight without having to risk any heat damage.
What I love most about these tips is that they are easy to do, cheap, and won’t drastically affect your current day-to-day hair regimen. So, instead of being frustrated at my hair for being prone to frizziness and lacking in density, I can live my best hair life. Here’s to all of us with fine hair achieving fuller, healthier-looking hair.
Image by benzoix on Freepik
