What's My Hair Density?
Hair Density 101: Do You Have Low, Medium, or High-Density Hair?
When it comes to understanding your natural hair, density is one of the most important (yet often overlooked) factors. We spend so much time talking about curl patterns and porosity, but knowing your hair density can make a huge difference in how you style and care for your curls!
So, what exactly is hair density? And how do you figure out if you have low, medium, or high-density hair? Let’s break it all down!
What is Hair Density? 🤔
Hair density refers to how many strands of hair you have on your head. It’s not about how thick or thin each strand is (that’s hair thickness), but rather how full or sparse your hair looks overall.
One of the easiest ways to check your hair density is by looking at your scalp:
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If your scalp is easily visible, you likely have low-density hair
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If your scalp is partially visible, you probably have medium-density hair
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If your scalp is barely visible, you have high-density hair
Let’s dive deeper into each type!
Low-Density Hair: Light & Airy Curls 🌬️
What It Looks Like:
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Hair appears less full, even when styled
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Scalp is easily visible, especially when wet or parted
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Hair may lay flatter or lack volume
Best Products & Techniques:
✅ Lightweight products like our Macadamia Styling Foam – Heavy butters and oils can weigh low-density hair down. Stick to light creams, leave-ins, and foams for volume.
✅ Root-lifting techniques – Diffusing, clipping your roots, or using volumizing mousses can help add body to your hair.
✅ Gentle styling – Over-manipulating can lead to breakage, making your hair appear even thinner. Try styles that protect your strands while enhancing volume.
📸 Picture of hair with low density. There is more scalp present when parting.
Medium-Density Hair: The Best of Both Worlds ✨
What It Looks Like:
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Hair appears full but not overly thick
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Scalp is slightly visible when parted
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Holds styles well without needing too much effort
Best Products & Techniques:
✅ Balanced moisture & protein – Medium-density hair benefits from a mix of hydrating products and strengthening treatments.
✅ Layered styling products like our Mango Butter Curling Jellie– Using a leave-in, curl cream, and gel in moderation can help define curls without weighing them down.
✅ Versatile styling options – Twist-outs, wash-and-gos, and stretched styles all work well with medium-density hair.
📸 Picture of hair with medium density. There is still scalp present when parting just not as much as low density (see above).
High-Density Hair: Full & Voluminous Curls 🌟
What It Looks Like:
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Hair appears very thick and full
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Scalp is barely visible, even when parted
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Takes longer to dry and may require more product
Best Products & Techniques:
✅ Hearty creams like our Dream Cream – High-density hair thrives on rich, moisture-packed products to keep strands hydrated.
✅ Layering techniques – Applying products in sections ensures that all strands get even coverage.
✅ Detangling with patience – High-density hair can get tangled easily, so use a good conditioner and detangling brush to prevent knots.
📸 Picture of hair with high density. There is barely any scalp present when parting just.
Final Thoughts: Why Hair Density Matters
Understanding your hair density helps you:
✔️ Choose the right products (lightweight vs. heavy)
✔️ Find the best styling techniques (volume-boosting vs. definition-focused)
✔️ Avoid common mistakes that flatten or overwhelm your curls
No matter your density, the key is learning how to work with your hair, not against it!
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