Can highlights make hair look thicker?

[Cymbalon]

And if so what do I need to ask for? My hair is thin, fine and porous . There are a few white hairs throughout and a few at the temples . It’s dark brown otherwise. I’ve read that highlights can be used to make hair look thicker but don’t know if it’s true. Any advice appreciated.

They don’t just make it look thicker, they expand the hairs so they actually are thicker.

HappyGirlNow I didn’t know that 😮

Yes, but make sure you go to a good colourist, maybe find someone you know with fine hair and good highlights and go to theirs. Have a consultation first. Good luck!

Thank you. I don’t know anyone with similar hair to me who has highlights but I know some good salons. Will definitely get a consultation first.

I've just had a full head in my fine hair - it does actually make your hair swell and get thicker.

You need to look after it well though as can also go a bit straw like.

Olaplex is the key, buy the whole range my hair is bleached to fuck and like silk still

I have similar hair, spent years getting highlights til recently. They always did 3 colours on mine, a high lift semi permanent in a colour similar to my own natural colour to blend the other 2 colours in, a high light semi permanent colour that was as blonde as they could get without using bleach, and then a fine scattering of bleach. The semi permanents do swell the hair and make it look a bit thicker, but it's the bleach that does this the most and lasts longer. Problem with bleach is it can also damage your hair if used regularly for a while. A good hairdresser will explain all this and do what's best for you hair type though. Oh and because my hair is so fine they always did half a head, it blended in really well with my natural colour, was cheaper, and over time the highlights built up and looked like a full head eventually. If the results aren't quite what you're after don't forget they can put a toner on like when mine came out a bit brassy and not ashy enough, or they'd scatter a few lowlights through if it came out too light. After years of highlights I tried a balayage last year because it looked nice on so many people, but it didn't really suit me, too much bleach for me on the lengths which has made it a bit dry and brittle, so I'm still working on that!

I’m a bit concerned about possible strawiness as my hair is very dry to begin with and very porous. I shall have to think carefully before going for it.

Olaplex is something I’ve been meaning to try. Do you reckon it’s ok for sensitive scalps. I use aveda scalp treatment shampoo and conditioner and it’s really sorted out dryness and slight itchiness I had .

Just avoid bleach and go for semi permanent high lift for the highlights, it doesn't lift your hair colour as blonde as bleach can, but you might not want it that light anyway? The semi permanent still lifts my hair to a nice level of honey blonde for highlights, and you don't get the dry or damaged hair like you can with bleach.