How to Manage Thick Hair

Your head of thick, luscious locks might be the envy of everyone you know, but caring for it can be a big headache. Fortunately, you can have your hair looking its best with a few simple care instructions. Whether you’re washing or styling your hair, adding moisture will help you keep your hair soft and free of tangles. With proper care, your hair might look like it’s straight out of a shampoo commercial.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Washing Your Hair

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    Pick sulfate-free, moisturizing hair products that will nourish your hair. Your hair will look its best if it’s moisturized, but sulfates dry out your hair. Check the labels on the products you use to make sure they say “sulfate-free.” This applies to shampoo, conditioner, leave-in sprays, and any styling products you use.[1]

    Tip: If your hair feels greasy, wash it with a daily clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup and grease.

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    Wash your hair about 3 times per week with warm water. You don’t need to wash your hair every day, and doing so may dry out your hair because it removes your natural oils. However, thick hair may get greasy if you skip too many days between washes. Shampoo your hair every other day to keep your hair clean and moisturized.[2]
    • For instance, you might wash your hair on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
    • You can use conditioner between washes if you like.

    Tip: If your hair gets especially greasy, use dry shampoo between washes to keep your hair looking its best.

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    Leave conditioner on your hair for 3-5 minutes every time you wash. Conditioner moisturizes your hair and helps make it more manageable. Use your fingers to apply a dollop of conditioner to your hair after you shampoo. Comb it through your strands using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to coat your hair. Wait 3-5 minutes before you rinse out your hair.[3]
    • Put your conditioner on your hair before you do other shower activities, like bathing and shaving. This way you can do these things while the conditioner sets.
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    Comb your hair in the shower while the conditioner is still on it. Detangling thick hair is a big job, and it’s likely very frustrating for you. Using a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair in the shower can make it much easier to care for your hair. Before you rinse off your conditioner, comb your hair to remove any knots and tangles. Start at your ends and work your way to your roots.[4]
    • Always start at the ends of your hair so you can minimize breakage and damage.
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    Rinse your hair with cool water to close the cuticle. Cool water gives you shinier hair because it closes your hair cuticles, which makes your strands lay flatter. Turn the water faucet to its cool setting when it’s time to rinse the conditioner out of your hair. Then, rinse your hair until it’s free of product.[5]
    • Make sure you get out all of the conditioner so it doesn’t make your hair look greasy.
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    6
    Blot away excess water using a soft towel after your shower. Be careful when toweling off your hair. Never rub your hair with a towel because this can cause damage or frizz. Instead, gently blot your hair using a soft towel.[6]
    • You can also wrap your hair in a terry cloth towel or an old t-shirt.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Drying Your Hair

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    Allow your hair to air dry as often as possible. Air drying your thick hair likely takes forever, so you probably don’t like waiting for it to dry. However, air drying your hair is much better for the health of your hair. Let your hair air dry when you can.[7]
    • For instance, you might wash your hair in the evening so it can dry before bed.
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    Let your hair air dry partway before blow drying it. If you don’t want to wait for your hair to fully air dry, try to let it get at least halfway dry before you use a blow dryer. This will prevent damage to your hair while still allowing you to achieve a sleek style in a shorter amount of time.[8]
    • For instance, you might shower a few hours before bed so your hair can dry a bit before you blow dry it as part of your bedtime routine.
    • If you wash your hair in the morning, you might shower first and then do all of the rest of your morning routine while your hair is air drying.
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    3
    Apply a heat protectant to your hair before you blow dry it. When you do heat style your hair, always spray your hair with a heat protectant to minimize damage. Follow the directions on your heat protectant to apply a thin layer of the product to all of your hair.[9]
    • Heat protectant can minimize damage but heat styling is still damaging to your hair.
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    Blow dry your hair on a low or medium setting. Using a low or medium setting protects your hair from damage. Stick to the lowest setting that works for your hair. It may take a little longer, but your hair will look better.[10]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Caring for Your Hair

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    Apply a serum daily to moisten your locks and make them manageable. Thick hair is more prone to frizzing and tangling when it’s dry, so moisture is super important. A hair serum infuses your hair with oil and helps trap in moisture. Put a pea-sized amount of serum on your palm and rub it into your hair, starting at the ends. Work the serum into the bottom 3/4 of your hair.[11]
    • Don’t apply the serum at your roots since it might make your hair look greasy.
    • You can typically apply the serum to wet or dry hair, but check the directions on your product label.
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    Use a moisturizing mask once a week to keep your hair soft and shiny. A hair mask can leave your hair feeling soft and looking shiny. Pick a hair mask that’s made for your hair type, like dry, oily, or textured. Then, apply the mask as directed on the label. Let your mask set for the recommended amount of time, then rinse it out with cold water.[12]
    • Some masks are meant for dry hair, while others are intended for wet hair. Check the label on your mask to make sure you’re using it correctly.

    Did You Know? Treating your hair weekly with a moisturizing mask may prevent frizzy hair on humid days. When your hair is dry, your cuticles open up to absorb moisture from the air, making your hair appear frizzy. If your hair is moist, it’s less likely to frizz up.

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    3
    Tie up your hair at night so it doesn’t rub against your pillow. Tossing and turning while you’re asleep can leave your hair a tangled, damaged mess. Protect your hair by securing it before you go to sleep. Use a soft scrunchie to tie up your hair or cover your hair with a silk scarf or a sleeping cap .[13]
    • If your hair is long enough, braid it to protect it overnight. However, keep in mind that this can create waves in the morning.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Styling Your Hair

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    Embrace your natural hair texture. When you have thick hair, fighting your natural hair texture is a constant battle. Save yourself time and energy by choosing a natural style. Use hair products formulated for your hair texture to help your locks look their best.[14]
    • For instance, wear your natural curls as your everyday hairstyle. If your hair is straight, don’t worry about curling it every morning.
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    Run a hair straightener over dry strands to remove frizz if you like. Once your hair is dry, it’s okay to use your hair straightener to create a sleeker look. Apply a heat protectant if you haven’t already. Then, run your hair straightener over 1 in (2.5 cm) sections of hair until your hair is smooth.[15]
    • This might take awhile since your hair is so thick. It might help to take breaks to rest your arms. During your breaks, you might continue getting ready so you’re not taking extra time.
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    3
    Use a spray gel for styling hold rather than heavier products. As you know, thick hair can feel especially heavy. Adding styling products on top of your luscious locks will only make it heavier. Try spray-on gels instead of traditional gel, mousse, and other styling products. It will give your hair some hold without weighing it down.[16]
    • Follow the directions on your spray gel to apply it to your hair.
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    4
    Skip products that contain volumizers, as they’ll add more bulk. Your hair already has natural volume from being so thick. Adding a volumizer will only make your hair look fluffier. Check the labels on the products you plan to buy to make sure they don’t say “volume” on the label.[17]
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    5
    Keep your part close to the center of your forehead. A side part will make your hair look thicker and puffier on one side. To minimize your hair’s bulk, wear a center part or a slightly off-center part. This way the hair on both sides of your head will be mostly even.[18]
    • Play around with your part to see what you like best.
    • If you like having a bit of volume on one side, go ahead and wear a deep side part.
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    6
    Use a covered rubber ponytail holder if you want to tie up your hair. Soft ponytail holders likely won’t work with your thick hair. Fortunately, covered rubber ponytail holders are strong enough to hold your hair and won’t cause as much damage as an uncovered rubber band. Use a covered ponytail holder if you want to style your hair in a ponytail, braid, or bun.[19]
    • Some thicker scrunchies may hold your hair, so they’re an option, as well.

    Tip: Don’t use flimsy hair accessories because they won’t work with thick hair.[20]

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    7
    Braid your hair for a simple, easy style. Thick hair looks lovely in a braid, so use this style to keep your hair under control. Try a traditional french braid, do boxer braids, or just braid the bottom part of your hair. Your hair will look cute and well-managed.[21]
    • If you have flyaways, secure them with a light mist of hair spray.
    • Today’s braid can be tomorrow’s waves! Undo your braid to reveal beachy curls.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Choosing and Maintaining a Hairstyle

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    Get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks to avoid split ends. Split ends will make your hair look thicker and bushier, especially at the bottom. Prevent this by seeing your hair stylist at least every 6-8 weeks. They can trim off your ends so your hair looks as sleek as possible.[22]
    • Split ends also lead to tangling, which can be a problem when your hair is so thick.
    • Keep in mind that split ends can spread up your hair shaft, so it’s best to trim them early.
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    2
    Ask your hairstylist to thin your hair if it feels unmanageable. Your stylist can use thinning shears to remove bulk from your hair without cutting the length. Talk to your stylist if you want to get rid of some of the volume and weight from your hair. They’ll be able to thin out your hair in minutes.[23]
    • When your stylist uses the thinning shears, it’ll look like they’re cutting off big chunks of hair. Try not to worry because they’re not really taking away your length.
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    3
    Choose a layered hairstyle to thin out your hair and create movement. Layers remove some of the volume from your hair, especially at the bottom. They help your hair lay flatter and may help your hair look less thick. Ask your stylist to give you long or short layers, depending on how long you wear your hair.[24]
    • Layers can work with any hair length. If your hair is short, your stylist may leave it longer in the front or on the top. If your hair is long, they may cut 3 different layers.
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    4
    Keep some of your length so your hair lays down if you like it longer.[25] While chin-length or above-the-shoulder styles can be super cute, thick hair often poofs out when it’s a shorter length. Instead, leave your hair at least shoulder-length if you don’t crop it super short. Otherwise, it’ll look a lot thicker and poofier.[26]
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    5
    Get a very short style if you wear your hair short. If you prefer short hair, ask your barber or hair stylist for a very short cut. This will prevent your style from having too much volume and make it easier to manage.[28]
    • For instance, you might try a buzz cut or a textured crop.
    • You might also ask your stylist to shave the lower part of your head so you can keep the top part long. This is a great edgy style that won’t look too thick since most of your hair is gone.
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    6
    Try an undercut if you feel like your hair's too heavy. An undercut is when your stylist shaves a lower section of your hair just above the nape of your neck. This removes a lot of your hair so it’s less bulky and heavy. Ask your stylist if an undercut will work for your hairstyle.[29]
    • Keep in mind that your undercut will be visible when you put up your hair. This is great if you like the look of your undercut but might not work for you if you only want an undercut for practical purposes.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I manage my thick hair when it gets bigger throughout the day and looks wild?
    Gia Hernandez
    Gia Hernandez
    Community Answer
    Carry around some anti-frizz spray or put in some leave-in conditioner and spray your hair during the day. Never use water to tame your hair, because that make the frizz worse.
  • Question
    What if I I have long, thick, frizzy and layered hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try a messy bun. Put your hair in a high ponytail, then take out a few strands of hair to frame your face. After that, split your high ponytail into two parts. Get one part and hold it up in the air while the other is being wrapped around the base. Then, bobby pin it down. Get the second half of your hair and wrap it around that, too. Tie it off and your done.
  • Question
    What is the best way to disguise or take care of a thinning spot in my hair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could put extensions over that spot in your hair. You could also just brush and style your hair in a way that covers that spot from view.
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Warnings

  • Never blow dry your hair for more than 30 minutes. It will create terrible damage to your hair and may cause it to fall out.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Don't wash your hair every day. If you do, you will wash out all of the natural oils in your hair, which can cause frizz.[30]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/mens-thick-wavy-unruly-hair/
  2. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/benefits-of-a-cold-hair-rinse
  3. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/beauty/how-to-manage-thick-hair/
  4. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  5. ↑ https://www.self.com/story/benefits-of-a-cold-hair-rinse
  6. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/beauty/how-to-manage-thick-hair/
  7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
  8. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  9. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/beauty/how-to-manage-thick-hair/
  1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
  2. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  3. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/beauty/how-to-manage-thick-hair/
  4. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/mens-thick-wavy-unruly-hair/
  5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
  6. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  7. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  8. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/mens-thick-wavy-unruly-hair/
  9. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  10. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
  11. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  12. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  13. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  14. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/10-tips-to-tame-thick-hair/
  15. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  16. ↑ Arthur Sebastian. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.
  17. ↑ https://www.chatelaine.com/style/beauty/how-to-manage-thick-hair/
  18. ↑ Arthur Sebastian. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 29 April 2019.
  19. ↑ https://www.fashionbeans.com/article/mens-thick-wavy-unruly-hair/
  20. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/hair/a37659/thick-hair-hacks/
  21. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/hair-care/how-to-stop-hair-damage

About This Article

Arthur Sebastian
Co-authored by:
Arthur Sebastian
Professional Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Arthur Sebastian and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. Arthur Sebastian is the Owner of Arthur Sebastian Hair Salon in San Francisco, California. Arthur has worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and received his Cosmetology License in 1998. He believes that the true work of a successful hair stylist comes from passion and a love for hairdressing. This article has been viewed 110,773 times.
6 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 30
Updated: August 10, 2020
Views: 110,773
Categories: Thick Hair
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