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Pro Tips For Camouflaging Thinning Hair

From About.com

Updated: February 28, 2005

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As we age, many of us - men and women - will start to experience thinning hair. This is because some follicles naturally shut down over time and gradually stop growing hair. Whether this happens to you is determined by your genes. You may begin to notice finer hair being produced on the top of your head where your hair was once quite thick.

Salon owner Mark Garrison deals with thinning hair on a daily basis and is an expert at camouflaging the problem. He shared some of his best tips with American Salon Magazine.

  • Short vs. Long: Garrison advises clients that shorter hair gives the illusion of thickness. He says that going short keeps hair from looking "straggly." And when worn in conjunction with thickening products, Garrison says shorter hair can have a dramatic impact on a person's appearance.
  • Hair Color As Camouflage: Garrison says that well-placed highlights and lowlights create a "balanced contrast" on the head that reflects light. This contrast puts the emphasis on the style and keeps people from "looking right into the scalp." Garrison says that adding color also slightly roughs up the cuticle, making the hair shaft appear plumper.
  • Turn Down The Volume: According to Garrison, teasing hair and spraying it so that it sits high off the scalp actually defeats your purpose. You may think that you're making your hair appear thicker, but you're actually creating a "teased-out bubble" that you can see through - all the way to the scalp. Some volume is good - just make sure it still looks natural.
  • Just Add Curl
  • Nothing highlights imperfections like stick-straight hair, Garrison says. Instead, add a little texture, which will add softness and movement to your hair in addition to making it appear thicker. Curlers or a light body wave can do wonders for helping hair appear thicker.

    Source: Modern Salon Magazine, February 2005.
    Learn more at MarkGarrisonSalon.com

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