Hair Looks Thin When Wet but Thicker When Dry'

Name: Gem

Question: My hair looks thin when it's wet but then looks thicker again when it's dry. I have noticed it feeling a little thinner recently, like I'm losing hair density in general, but I don't see any specific signs of thinning so is this normal?

Answer: Hi, Gem. Hair looks thinner when wet because the hair clumps together creating several partings, hence the scalp looks more visible.

This can also be the case when gel, wax or other hair products which 'stick' the hair together are used.

When hair is dry, it separates; this provides the scalp with more coverage.

The moisture from the water also weighs the hair down, giving wet hair the appearance of having less volume than dry hair, whether you have a hair loss condition or not.

However, the fact that you are noticing this hair thinning alongside a reduced hair density does suggest a form of hair loss. The fact that you mention not seeing any specific signs of hair loss indicates a generalised thinning.

If this thinning hair and drop in hair density - sometimes referred to as invisible hair loss - is mainly found along the top part of your scalp known as the vertex, which could mean in any, or all of the areas from crown to hairline and temples, this is most likely to be androgenetic alopecia. This is more commonly known as Male Pattern Baldness or Female Pattern Hair Loss.

This is an incredibly common hereditary condition and there are clinically-proven, MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved hair loss treatments available for this, as well as a number of additional hair growth supporting products.

Where there is a decreased hair volume all over the scalp, a diagnosis of temporary hairloss from Telogen Effluvium would be more likely, though if this were the case, you would have almost certainly also have noticed a period of intense hair fall. As you have not mentioned this, it seems more likely that genetic hair loss may be at play here.

We recommend having a professional consultation, either in-person or online to determine precisely which condition is present. That way, personalised hair loss solutions can be recommended, based on your condition, medical history, level and pattern of shedding, and age, if appropriate.