How to Tell If You Have Fine, Medium or Thick Hair

Are you as excited about the first-ever smart hair care system as we are? Our newest line of clean, all-natural and 100% vegan hair care products is carefully designed to work for all hair types including fine, medium and thick hair. 

Not sure which hair texture you have? Read on to uncover your hair texture, why hair texture matters when choosing hair products, and which hair products you should use to leave your locks looking soft, smooth and luxuriously manageable.

Hair Type vs. Hair Texture

Hair type and hair texture are two different things, though these terms are often used interchangeably. Unfortunately, this lack of clarity can lead us to purchase products that aren’t right for our hair’s needs.

Here’s one easy way to think about it: Hair type refers to your whole head of hair, while hair texture refers to individual strands (or shafts) of hair. Hair types include straight, wavy, curly and kinky. Hair textures include fine, medium and thick, which reflects structural differences at the shaft level. 

Shop: The Best Color-Safe Shampoos and Conditioners

Why Does Hair Texture Matter?

Since hair texture comes down to structural differences in the individual strands, we’ve learned that different structures benefit from different products and hair care routines.

Read on for more information about different hair textures and how to best support them with your hair care routines.

Get To The Root Of It: What to Know About Hair Structure

What You Need to Know About Fine Hair

Fine hair typically has two layers — the cortex and the cuticle. The cortex is the bulk of each hair shaft, whereas the cuticle is a thinner outer layer that acts as a permeable barrier to regulate the movement of moisture into and out of the cortex. 

While fine hair can be very soft and sleek looking, it’s also the most prone to breakage or damage from excessive heat styling or chemical treatments. And while you might have a lot of hair density, fine hair still tends to look thin. 

Fine hair is also the texture that will look oily the quickest, and because of its delicate nature, it’s also easily weighed down by heavy products and excess moisture. When applying conditioner or other moisturizers to thin hair, focus on the midshaft to ends to avoid weighing down the roots with excess moisture.

For fine hair, try a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that offers just the right balance of lightweight moisture and plant-derived oils while adding volume. Additionally, the formulas help protect fine hair’s delicate structure while repairing damage to leave hair feeling stronger.

Shop: GRO Scalp Health Kit

What You Need to Know About Medium Hair

Medium hair texture is the most common. Medium hair also has a cortex and a cuticle, though they are thicker than in fine hair. Medium hair might also have a medulla, an inner core that is under the cortex. 

Although medium hair is less prone to damage than fine hair, excess heat styling or other harsh hair care practices can still damage it. Medium hair also responds well to most care and styling products, but like any hair type, it can become dried out by certain ingredients like sulfates. 

Medium hair doesn’t become oily as fast as fine hair and can be washed just a couple of times a week. When applying conditioner or other moisturizers, medium hair can generally handle application from root to tips. 

Also: 8 Mistakes to Avoid If You Have Medium Hair

What You Need to Know About Thick Hair

Thick hair is made up of a medulla, a cortex and a cuticle, making it the thickest of all hair textures. Thick hair’s more robust structure also makes it the strongest and the most resistant to damage. 

Thick hair also tends to be the driest of the hair textures, which is why you should choose a hydrating shampoo and conditioner featuring our all-natural moisturizers and vegan Karmatin™ protein. People with thick hair might want to really massage our conditioner into their scalp to help enhance hair health and optimize moisture levels. And don’t worry, the gentle and all-natural cleaners in our shampoo won’t strip your hair and are safe to use every day.

Discover: What’s Your Hair Texture and Hair Type? How to Find Out

TLC For Any Hair Type

All of our hair products contain a carefully formulated aromatherapeutic blend of all-natural Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Yuzu that is scientifically engineered to boost mood, help alleviate anxiety and promote an overall sense of lasting well-being.

And, to give your hair and scalp some extra love, consider adding a deep conditioning hair mask. This deeply nourishing mask hydrates, smoothes and protects color-treated or heat- damaged hair, restoring hair's healthy appearance while you get your beauty rest.

The Takeaway

Your hair texture — whether fine, medium or thick — has unique requirements for care and maintenance. And if reducing hair shedding or improved growth is your main hair goal, consider adding GRO and GRO+ Advanced products that are specifically designed to help support thicker, fuller-looking hair. 

More From VEGAMOUR

• Shop: The Best Products for Dry Hair
• Why Choose Cruelty-Free Hair Products
• 9 Mistakes to Avoid If You Have Fine Hair
• How Often Should You Use a Hair Mask?

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