KNOW YOUR NATURAL HAIR 3: HAIR DENSITY
Do you have any idea how much hair you have on your head? No, we are not asking that you count every single strand (although that would be impressive). We’re talking about hair density, which is the number of hairs per square inch of scalp.
Hair density influences the volume and thickness of your hair. Hair density can be low, medium, or high, and each has its own set of characteristics and problems.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about hair density, including how to check yours, and how to care for different density levels.
This is the final part of our Know Your Natural Hair series. Missed the others? Catch up on knowing your hair type and hair porosity
So get a comb (or brush), a mirror, and a camera (or a friend) ready to learn more about your natural hair. Believe us when we say that your hair will thank you.
What is Hair Density?
Hair density refers to the number of hair strands that grow per square inch of your scalp. It is determined by how close each of your hair strands is to one another.
Each person has about 80,000 to 120,000 hairs on their scalp. The number varies due to some factors. They include race/ethnicity, age, and nutritional deficiencies.
Hair Density vs Thinness/Thickness
Hair density and hair thinness/thickness are often taken to be the same. They are not. Hair density refers to the number of hair strands you have on your head while thinness/thickness focuses on the size of the individual strands. So, it’s possible to have thick hair with low density and vice versa.
Why Should You Know Your Hair Density?
The answer remains simple: to make better choices for your hair. To achieve 100% hair goals, your hair care, and styling regimen should be based on your hair type, porosity level, and hair density.
You should know your hair density because it can help you understand how your hair behaves and responds to different products and styles.
The Types of Hair density
There are 3 main types of hair density which are low, medium and high.
Low density: hair means that you have fewer hairs per square inch of your scalp. Low density hair can make your scalp more visible and your hair look flat and thin. Low density hair can also be more prone to damage and breakage due to a lack of protection and support from other hairs.
Medium density: hair means that you have an average number of hairs per square inch of your scalp. Medium density: hair can make your scalp less visible and your hair look normal and balanced. Medium density hair can also be more versatile and adaptable to different products and styles due to its moderate amount of hair.
High density: hair means that you have more hairs per square inch of your scalp. High density hair can make your scalp less visible and your hair look thick and full. High density hair can also be more prone to frizz and tangles due to excess moisture and friction from other hairs.
How to Know Your Hair Density – 3 methods
The Density Ruler Method
This is a special tool that measures the number of hairs per square inch on your scalp. This method could be quite stressful but it is the most accurate and may require the help of a professional hairstylist.
The Scalp method
In this method, you simply part your hair and look at your scalp. If you can see more scalp than hair, you likely have low hair density. If you can see equal amounts of scalp and hair, you likely have medium hair density. And if you can see more hair than scalp, you likely have high hair density.
It has been summarized in the table below
| Low-density hair | Can see the scalp well. |
| Medium-density hair | Can see some parts of the scalp. |
| High-density hair | Can’t see the scalp. |
The Ponytail method
Here, you tie your hair into a ponytail and measure its circumference.
If your ponytail is less than two inches in circumference, you likely have low hair density. If your ponytail is between two and four inches in circumference, you likely have medium hair density. And if your ponytail is more than four inches in circumference, you likely have high hair density.
Also, illustrated in the table below.
| Low-density hair | Less than 2 inches |
| Medium-density hair | 2-3 inches |
| High-density hair | 4 inches or more |
No matter what your hair density is, there are tips and tricks you can follow and implement in your hair care routine
Tips for Low-Density Hair
- Avoid heavy products such as creams, butter, oils, and conditioners.
- Use products that add volume to your hair e.g volumizing shampoos and mousse.
- Try hairstyles that add volume to hair to give a thicker appearance.
Tips for Medium-Density Hair
- If you have this hair density, you don’t need much. Focus on keeping your hair healthy.
- Experiment with heavy and light products to know what works well for you.
Tips for High-Density Hair
- Opt for thicker and heavier products if your porosity level allows it.
- Use serums and oils to reduce frizz.
- Avoid blunt cuts. Experiment with thin-looking hairstyles.
FAQs
What is a good hair density?
There is no definitive answer to what is a good hair density, as it varies from person to person and depends on factors such as genetics, ethnicity, age, and personal preference.
However, the average person has approximately around 2,200 strands of hair per square inch on their head2, and this can be considered as a normal or balanced hair density.
If you have more than this number, you have high-density hair, and if you have less than this number, you have low-density hair. Both high-density and low-density hair have their own advantages and disadvantages, and require different types of care and styling.
The most important thing is to keep your hair healthy and happy with the right products and techniques.
How can I increase hair density?
– Eat a healthy diet that is rich in protein, iron, folic acid, vitamin D, zinc and antioxidants
– Massage your scalp regularly with oils or serums that stimulate blood circulation and nourish the hair follicles
– Use gentle hair products that are suitable for your hair type and do not contain harsh chemicals or sulfates
– Avoid excessive heat styling or brushing that can cause breakage or split ends
– Trim your hair regularly to get rid of damaged or split ends
– Consult a professional if you have any underlying medical conditions or hormonal imbalances that can affect your hair density or growth
What is hair lacking density?
Hair lacking density is hair that has fewer strands per square inch of your scalp than average. This can make your hair look thin or flat, and expose more of your scalp. Hair lacking density can be caused by genetics, diet, medical conditions, stress, or hair damage
Does hair density mean thickness?
No, hair density and hair thickness are different concepts. Hair density refers to how many strands of hair grow per square inch of your scalp, while hair thickness refers to the circumference or diameter of each individual strand.
You can have thin hair that is dense, or thick hair that is sparse, depending on how many hairs you have and how wide they are.
Well, that’s a wrap on our “KNOW YOUR NATURAL HAIR” series! We’ve covered everything from hair type to hair porosity to hair density, and hopefully, you’re feeling like a natural hair guru by now. Remember, taking care of your natural hair is all about embracing your unique texture and finding what works best for you.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this series as much as we’ve enjoyed writing it. If there’s anything else you’d like us to cover in future articles, let us know in the comments below! And as always, keep loving your natural hair and taking care of those beautiful curls.
We’re rooting for you!
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