Consider A Lighter Hair Color If You Have Thinning Hair

There's a common thought that if your hair is thinning you should make your color darker. The reasoning is that darker hair colors appear more voluminous and full of dimension. It's a delicate balance, because if your natural hair is light, going dark can make you appear pale and sallow.

There is also the larger issue that dyeing hair that is already thinning will only make it more damaged and result in more hair loss, but it depends on your personal circumstances. If your hair is jet black and you want to go platinum, that's a conversation to have with your hair stylist prior to doing it so you can learn if your hair is strong enough to withstand the multi-process steps necessary.

While making a dramatic change to your thinning hair requires a lot of consideration and probably isn't a good idea, going just slightly lighter can help thinning hair look healthier and complement your complexion.

If your hair is thinning, going just one shade lighter can have many benefits. Lighter shades help to hide the sharp demarcation between the scalp and your hairline, which is extra useful for anyone who is trying to hide hair loss. While darker colors can add bounce and volume, there is always the chance that a light scalp can be seen with a blow of the wind or a swift movement.

Yet, the key is to stay as close to your natural color as possible. Any big changes that deviate from your natural color can leave you looking drawn out, especially if you have a fair complexion.

By lightening your hair with just one shade, the new lighter color won't look stark or dramatic, but instead will provide a warm boost to your complexion. However, very light hair color can make thinning hair look thinner, so incorporating a blend of colors may be your best bet.

The best thing you can do for thinning hair is skip the single process color altogether and go for achieving a nice blend. Just as you can contour your makeup to play up the features you like and mask the ones that aren't your favorite, you can also apply a bit of hair contouring to thinning hair. It's pretty easy to do and consists of adding highlights and lowlights.

"The lighter the hair the thinner it can look, so adding dimension into it with darker pieces will add depth," says colorist Paul Edmonds (via Harper's Bazaar). "This can be done with micro-balayage or baby lights, or clever placement of darker colors underneath the surface of the haircut can also really make the hair look thicker."

If you notice thinning hair, it's always best to let your hair stylist know your concerns. Chances are that they may have already picked it up and can offer solutions. You can work together to find a color that works for your specific hair issues.