Thin Out Sides

Q: I'm a young male trying to grow my hair out. I have fairly thick hair. However, I'm at a stage where the hair on the sides of my head seems kind of poofy. It kind of sticks out. The hair length is long enough to be put behind my ear but my hair seems to be too thick.

I was wondering what advice you can give me to thin out the sides while maintaining the length? Should I use hair thinning scissors to cut the sides? Also, my hair is pretty dry, what product would you suggest me to use to make my hair look as if it is damp or moist? Is Brylcreem any good for my situation?

A: You could use thinning shears to remove some of the bulk from the sides, but you need to be aware that doing so will create hairs of varying lengths. If you cut short pieces too close to your scalp, they can actually push the longer hair outward. This would make your head look even puffier than before. To avoid this, take a cautious approach and remove small amounts of hair gradually instead of cutting a lot off at once.

There isn't a fixed rule for how often you should use thinning shears. It depends on your hair, how much was removed, and how quickly your hair grows. If your goal is to grow your hair out, be careful about thinning the same spots repeatedly. You'll be create different lengths that then have to grow back out.

Professional Texturizing

If you opt to use thinning shears to reduce the bulk in certain areas, it is much safer to let a professional stylist do it rather than trying to take chunks out yourself. An experienced stylist can also use standard scissors to perform techniques like slide cutting or removing weight from the inner layers of your hair.

This can remove some of the weight while allowing the stylist to preserve the overall length. Whether this approach works best depends on your specific hair type, but it is a good option to discuss during your appointment.

Choosing Styling Products

As for dealing with dry hair, the correct product depends on the look you want to achieve and the texture of your hair. Brylcreem can be a good product for thick, wavy, or curly hair if you're looking for more control and a shiny or slightly damp-looking finish. However, if your hair is fine or straight, heavy oil-based products can weigh it down and make it look greasy if you apply even a little bit too much.

Rather than using a heavy pomade right away, try incorporating a lightweight hair oil, such as argan or jojoba oil, or a leave-in conditioner applied to damp hair. Begin with a very small amount. You can always add more if you need it.

Washing and Conditioning

The best way to have the hair look healthy is to make sure that it is properly conditioned. Always use a quality conditioner every time you wash your hair. Depending on your hair type, you may also find that conditioning more frequently or using a leave-in conditioner helps with dryness and makes the hair easier to control.

When it comes to shampoo, you do not have to strictly follow the popular rule of washing two or three times a week. If your hair is dry, washing it less frequently may help, especially if you're currently shampooing every day. But the ideal frequency depends on your hair type and how oily your scalp gets. Whenever you do shampoo, focus the soap directly on your scalp to clean away buildup, rather than scrubbing the entire length of your hair.

For hair that is severely dry or damaged, a weekly deep-conditioning treatment can help make it feel softer and more manageable. It won't repair damaged hair, but it can improve the way it feels and behaves.

You may also find that once your hair grows another inch or two (5 cm), the weight of the hair pulls it down, eliminating some of the awkward mid-growth puffiness altogether. While this outcome depends on your hair’s wave pattern, density, and growth direction, most people find that their hair behaves much better once it passes this length.

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See also:

How to use thinning scissors

Please help me to understand what I need to know to buy the right thinning shears

What's a good number of teeth in one sided thinning shears?