I feel you! Same problem for me. OVATION & Mega-Tek, castor oil and some other things can make your hair appear and look fuller and thicker.
<---this is relaxed....here is my senior year of college college
<--this is natural. I'm going back to relaxed or rather texlax don't
let the volume fool you...it was thin back then
erplexed I just bought MT to try and thicken my hair. I just don't know what to do with it. I want to braid it for low-mani, but I'm scared it will break off when I take them out. Has anyone had success with braided extensions?
) So I completely understand.
I've been trying to read all the post and did not realize how many postings are involved. I have read up to page 35 and will continue on. 
A thin/fine hair head checking in!!!
It appears that everyone that started the posting hasn't logged in lately.
I am a newbie and need help.
Where you at: JanuaryNoir, AtlantaJJ, Cayenne, Honi, Serenity Peace, GymFreak (btw so am I), I know I left others out but those are the names that I can remember for now.
Help a sista out! LOL
My hair type is 3c/4a ...I think. My hair length is between neck and shoulder length. I am 15 weeks post and dealing with lots of shedding so off to get a relaxer this week. Has anyone ever used Paul Mitchell Relaxer? I hear its a conditioning relaxer and will not straighten your hair all the way even if you try.
My hair has been fine all my life but it has definitely thinned out the past 10-15 years due to of course me damaging it. I don't expect to have thick hair but I just want my old hair back. I'll be praying and doing my part at the same token keeping it simple.
I have a love-hate relationship with my fine hair. When I was relaxed, I used to hate how my hair just looked...soo..BLAH!! It just looked limp. Now that I'm natural, I do have more fullness, but now I'm looking at all the thick haired naturals and I start to hate my fine strands all over again. There are some pluses to have fine natural hair though; I hate that some of my natural styles don't look as full as I'd like it to, but then again, detangling is a cinch. So I just learn to work with what I have (although I still droll over those with thick big healthy fros
I hope you feel better
) But, sometimes it's good to know that I'm not the only one who gets frustrated.
A thin/fine hair head checking in!!!
It appears that everyone that started the posting hasn't logged in lately.
I am a newbie and need help.
Where you at: JanuaryNoir, AtlantaJJ, Cayenne, Honi, Serenity Peace, GymFreak (btw so am I), I know I left others out but those are the names that I can remember for now.
Help a sista out! LOL
My hair type is 3c/4a ...I think. My hair length is between neck and shoulder length. I am 15 weeks post and dealing with lots of shedding so off to get a relaxer this week. Has anyone ever used Paul Mitchell Relaxer? I hear its a conditioning relaxer and will not straighten your hair all the way even if you try.
My hair has been fine all my life but it has definitely thinned out the past 10-15 years due to of course me damaging it. I don't expect to have thick hair but I just want my old hair back. I'll be praying and doing my part at the same token keeping it simple.
Generally speaking, most peope experience thinning hair as part of the aging process. For most of us, returning to the time of our youth is not realistic, especially if you are in your late 30s and into your 40s and 50s. The good thing is that you can learn enough about hair care hear on LHCF to make the most of what you've got.
With that being said, there are no miracles, but just finding what products will work for you.
What I and many other fine/thin heads are that long stretches (unless you can smooth the cuticle to reduce breakage and don't comb) are not conducive. Long stretches can cause extreme breakage. If your natural texture is very different from your relaxed or texlaxed texture, you will have breakage at the demarcation line. Touch-ups are good at 8-12 weeks with 12 weeks being extreme. Since you are 3c/4a this might not be a big issue for you, but if you keep experiencing breakage that is not normal day-to-day shedding, then, Yes, you are overdue for a relaxer.
I have not heard of or used a Paul Mitchell Relaxer. May be someone else will chime in.
I'm trying to stay positive here because at this moment I feel like crying but I won't!
Don't despair! You have beautiful hair. Even I complain about my hair but daggonit, but there are people who would give their most precious possession to have hair like ours. 
Generally speaking, most peope experience thinning hair as part of the aging process. For most of us, returning to the time of our youth is not realistic, especially if you are in your late 30s and into your 40s and 50s. The good thing is that you can learn enough about hair care hear on LHCF to make the most of what you've got.
With that being said, there are no miracles, but just finding what products will work for you.
What I and many other fine/thin heads are that long stretches (unless you can smooth the cuticle to reduce breakage and don't comb) are not conducive. Long stretches can cause extreme breakage. If your natural texture is very different from your relaxed or texlaxed texture, you will have breakage at the demarcation line. Touch-ups are good at 8-12 weeks with 12 weeks being extreme. Since you are 3c/4a this might not be a big issue for you, but if you keep experiencing breakage that is not normal day-to-day shedding, then, Yes, you are overdue for a relaxer.
I have not heard of or used a Paul Mitchell Relaxer. May be someone else will chime in.
Thanks JN. I guess you have a point there. Maybe stretching is not a good thing. I am 15 weeks post and the minute I place my fingers between my strands...I am definitely coming out with hair, lately more than usual. I was so teary eyed this evening. It kills me to kow all this effort and I am losing hair on a head that doesn't have much to start with. I thought strectching was a good thing. I have been told that next time around I need to gradual stretch...first 12 weeks, next 14, than 16 and etc. Who knows maybe that will work.
I understand I can't have the hair of my childhood but I know it can thicken up and I thought stretches were made for that. I know someone who has been doing this for 2 years who started wih neck length and although her hair is no where near fine or thin it has definitely thicken and lengthen up past bra strap. I know there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I'm trying to stay positive here because at this moment I feel like crying but I won't!
. I've come to that realization now and I will not force it ever again.
Awesome advice JN.
I fell the same way about stretching my relaxer. I lose too many hairs when I stretch beyond 10 weeks especially now since I'm on the MT/OCT challenge. It just does not seem feasible for me anymore and I was so hopeful too. It's just not for me
You are learning just fine! One thing I figured out for myself was that a lot of women here saw that it took approximately 2 years before they noticed that the look and feel of their hair improved. It takes time and patience and love of self to get through.
I have been here since 2006 and I have had setback after setback. If I didn't I believe my hair should have been way beyond brastrap and I am at lower shoulder.
Hang in there!
If price points are not a factor for you I recommend the products in my siggy and avatar (Ovation & Wen products). They have helped me a great deal.
Hello all!
I'm glad you guys found this thread for fine hair!
You definitely have to distinguish two things: fine strand and 'fine density'.
Some have fine strands but lots of hair.
others might have regular strand but a smaller hair density.
whatever you do, many tips were given at the beginning of the thread.
I for my part have fine strands and medium density.
what I do:
-stretch relaxers as much as I can.
-Deep conditionning once a week.
-wash and rollerset (I either airdry or go under my hood dryer)
-limit to a minimum the blowdryer (it was kinda hard last month as I was really lazy)
-Eat better _steer clear of fried foods and fast food
-drink more.
... very afraid. 
I'm really glad to have found this thread - I realized I had fine/thin hair after a horrific cornrow experience. I went to my local african hair braiding spot for cornrows and I think this **** put roots on me! My hair after, was - t-h-i-n! to the point where i could put the length of my hair in one duck bill clip! BUT - i learned, and knew from LHCF that all my hair need was to be moisturized and left the h* alone to grow.
