Tip No. 6: Coloring to Create Dimension and Thickness

 Professional Style Tip

Style expert: Lisa French, Top Hairstylist at Rush Salon, London UK

“Many women with thinning hair feel that they have to get a blunt bob for their hair to look thicker, even if it doesn’t suit them. My advice is to have fun with their hairstyle, and work with layering, diagonal or zigzag parts, and using a messy look to create thicker looking hair while being on trend and fashionable.”

Color is a great tool that women with thinning hair can use to create the appearance of fuller hair. While color has been thought to aggravate hair loss in the past, there are many gentle options today that have no harmful effects on thinning hair. As always, any form of chemical that is used on the scalp does carry a chance of triggering an allergic reaction, so remember to do a patch test if you are coloring at home, or ask your stylist to do one for you.

Home Coloring

If you are comfortable with coloring at home then this is a cost-efficient option that will allow you to enjoy the privacy of your own home salon. Home coloring is not recommended for dramatic changes (going from dark to light and vice versa), or if you have overly processed hair that may not react well to tint.

If it’s your first time coloring at home and you already have color in your hair, be prepared for unexpected results – hair dyes are not guaranteed to look like the shade on the box when applied over other colors. If you are tinting your hair for the first time on your natural hair, choose a shade that is no more that 2 levels lighter or darker than your natural color for a flattering shade that suits your skin tone and eye color.

Many large brands have color selectors online where a virtual stylist will give you your best color options. If you want to be more daring, visiting a professional would be the best course of action. Finally, choose a brand that is ammonia free and gentle on the hair and scalp.

Salon Coloring

Salon coloring is a good option for women who need help with choosing a color, have very damaged hair, or need a color correction. A consultation should be booked beforehand to discuss your needs with your stylist. Have them show you their color books so that you can see what the color will look like next to your skin.

While no color is guaranteed to be exact, if the result is unexpected, having your color done at a salon provides a safety net as they have the resources to correct a color that goes wrong.

Tips for Coloring

• Stay within 2 shades of your natural color for the best result

• Dramatic changes (blond to brown, brown/black to blond) require special products to re-pigment the hair – do not attempt this at home!

• Lighter shades tend to minimize the appearance of thinning areas, while darker colors make the hair appear thicker. Stay with a shade that is close to your scalp color.