So what is coarse hair? There are a few key characteristics that help define it:

• Thick hair shaft
• A feeling of roughness when you rub the hair strand through your fingers
• More elasticity than other types of hair
• Very dense growth

If your hair has most or all of these characteristics, then you very likely have coarse hair. Unlike thin hair, coarse hair doesn’t break easily, which is good news when it comes to avoiding split ends and keeping your hair healthy.

There is a general misconception that coarse hair is always curly. Though curls and coarseness do often go hand-in-hand, this is not always the case. Many people with coarse hair have very straight locks.

If you’re wondering what causes thicker hair shafts, the answer is that most people who have thick-shafted hair are born with it. They don’t have to ask “what is coarse hair?” because they’ve lived with it all their lives. It’s part of their genetic makeup and is something they should embrace.

However, some people are born with soft, thin hair that becomes more abrasive over time. This type of change can be due to a variety of things, including:

• A hormone imbalance
• Certain thyroid conditions
• Prescription drugs, including certain hair growth medications and steroids

If you’ve noticed that your hair has become thicker and rougher over the years, ask yourself if any of the above factors could have caused the change. In some cases, your hair may return to its previous thickness once you correct the underlying factors.

If the change to your hair thickness is permanent, learn to embrace it. Coarse hair can be a lot of fun once you learn how to manage it effectively.

To many people, thick hair is beautiful. Ask a thin-haired person what their dream locks would look like, and they’ll most likely say they want beautiful tresses like yours!

Once you start looking, it won’t take long for you to see examples of gorgeous, well-maintained heads of coarse hair. When styled and cared for properly, coarse hair is absolutely stunning

Thick locks require more specialized care than thin locks. But if you make the effort to tame those wild hairs, the end result will be well worth your time.

Being proactive about keeping your hair healthy and well-managed will actually save you time in the long run. Coarse hair tends to be more susceptible to tangles, so expending the effort to keep it tangle-free can help you avoid some stubborn “rat’s nests”.

When it comes to managing rough hair, there is no single “right” way that works for everyone. However, we do have some recommendations that you can pick and choose from as you prefer.

We’ve compiled a helpful guide to managing coarse hair that may be your saving grace. Follow these helpful tips to reveal the beautiful, eye-catching locks you always wanted to have.

If you’re wondering “what is coarse hair?”, here are a few clues. Coarse hair tends to be thick and can be rough to the touch as well.

It also tends to get dried out quicker than thin, soft hair. That’s why shampoo that works well for your fine-haired friend leaves your hair feeling even rougher than normal.

To keep your hair smooth and shiny, a little extra moisture and TLC are required. Here are some of the best shampoo types for coarse hair.

• Macadamia Shampoo: This type of shampoo is intensely rich and moisturizing. For this reason, it’s preferred for coarse or coiled hair textures. It smooths hair cuticles while strengthening strands and reducing frizz.
• Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo: Moisturizing is the name of the game when it comes to thicker hair types, and this shampoo gets the job done. It’s especially helpful for hair that is both coarse and naturally curly.
• Obliphica Seaberry Intense Regiment Kit: This kit is specifically formulated for medium to coarse hair and helps to smooth and revitalize your locks. It contains nourishing omega fatty acids, bioactive compounds and amino acids.

These are our top shampoo suggestions, and they are all great options for taming your thick locks. You may need to try several different shampoos until you find one that works best for your hair.  

There are a variety of coarse hair products marketed for thick to curly hair. Here are a few that you should try today. You may just find your new favorite product for managing your strands.

• Matrix Biolage HydraSource Conditioning Balm: This luxurious conditioning balm is thicker than most conditioners on the market. It’s a maximum-strength treatment that delivers moisture and extra nourishment to coarse, brittle hair.

Smooth a small amount of this product into the ends of your hair and allow it to penetrate deeply for approximately 1-3 minutes. Then, rinse it out and notice how much glossier, smoother and softer your hair is.

• Kenra Platinum Blow Dry Spray: For many people with thick hair strands, blow-drying creates a tangled mess. To prevent this from happening, apply this blow-dry spray to your hair while it’s still damp.

In addition to experiencing more manageable locks from this spray, you’ll also get the benefit of heat protection. This spray is recommended for medium to coarse hair.

• Matrix Biolage Blue Agave Smoothing Shine Milk: Would you like strands that look and feel milky-smooth? If so, this product is a match made in heaven for you.

Made with agave extracts and other naturally derived ingredients, this smoothing shine milk does exactly what its name suggests. Apply it before blow-drying to make your locks glossy and sleek.

• Joico Vero K-Pak Hair Color: It can be hard to find hair color that takes well to coarse strands, but this particular hair color is one of our favorite coarse hair products. It offers a larger quantity than most hair coloring products, which makes it ideal for individuals with longer hair.

This permanent dye delivers a rich color that will add color and intensity to your overall look. You’ll need to purchase a creme developer as well and mix it with this product as directed on the packaging before applying to your hair.

• Joico Joilotion Sculpting Lotion: Many people with thick strands complain that their hair is very difficult to control. If your locks are a little wild, tame them with this sculpting lotion.

This product offers a light hold that will help your hair stay in place without looking like a helmet. Just apply a small dab to damp hair and style normally.

• SEXYHAIR Curl Enhancing Shampoo: If you’re wondering “what is coarse hair?” think of someone you know who has thick strands and curls. Those are both hallmarks of coarse hair.

If you’re blessed with curls that are to die for, help them stand out with curl enhancing shampoo. It won’t weigh your hair down and help you tame your curls so they fall the way you want them to.

There are a lot of things you can do to make your thick or rough strands more manageable. Some involve applying specific products to your hair, while others involve consuming nutrients that can make your hair shine.

Here are a few of the best coarse hair products and treatments we know about. Give one or more of them a try and see how your hair responds.

• Sleep on a silk pillowcase: If you want to feel like a princess, now you have a good excuse to sleep on a pure silk pillowcase. Beauty experts claim that doing so can protect your hair from tangles, damage and snarls because they cause less friction than cotton pillowcases.
• Use deep conditioning masks: Deep conditioning is good for all types of hair, but it’s particularly helpful for coarse hair. Try hot oil treatments with moisturizing plant oils or slather a commercial conditioning mask onto your hair periodically.
• Avoid heat styling: If you use heated styling tools too often, you could experience frizzier, drier and less manageable hair. Whenever possible, style your hair with minimal heat or without using any heat at all.
• Don’t neglect trims: It can be hard to take time out of your busy schedule for regular trims, but doing so is essential for managing thick, rough hair. Trims help remove split ends so your hair stays smooth and untangled longer.
• Take hair-strengthening vitamins: When you have coarse hair, you have a higher risk of developing brittle, damaged hair as well. You can prevent this from happening by consuming hair-friendly vitamins such as niacin, biotin, and vitamins A,C,D and E.
• Be picky about your brush: Not just any brush will do for someone who has coarse hair. You need a flat or round brush for best results. You should also consider brushing your hair when it’s wet to reduce tangles, flyaways and frizz that tends to occur after your hair dries.

These are just some of the treatments to consider when you have rough hair. Incorporating them into your regular routine can help you fall in love with the way your hair looks and feels.

There are a few ingredients that are always a no-go for thicker hair. You should avoid them as much as possible to prevent negative effects on your locks.

• Alcohol-based products
• Heavy gels and sprays
• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Allergens and endocrine disruptors

These ingredients shouldn’t be used on any hair type, but they’re especially problematic for coarse hair. Alcohol-based products will dry out those gorgeous tresses, and heavy gels and sprays will weight them down so they go where they want to instead of where you want them to.

The remaining ingredients on the list are harmful to your health and shouldn’t be avoided whenever possible. If you see hair products with these ingredients, steer clear.

Thick, coarse hair lends well to many styles because it stays in place better than fine, thin hair. Here are a few of the styles we absolutely love seeing in coarse hair.

• Layered pixie cut
• Fishtail braids
• Curled lob
• Long bangs
• Tight French braid
• Layered cut with side-swept bangs
• Shoulder length layered cut for curly hair
• Voluminous stacked bob
• Medium-length shag

Many of these hairstyles work for multiple hair types. However, we think they’re absolutely gorgeous with thicker, rougher hair.

If you were asking yourself “what is coarse hair?” before, and you now know that you have it, it’s time to learn how your environment can affect it.

Pollution can affect all hair types in a negative way. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution, it’s time to think about undoing the damage by nourishing the hair with products that contain vitamins and moisturizing ingredients.

If you live in a humid environment, you’ll need to think about ways to tame frizz and avoid oiliness. Stay away from products containing alcohol and smooth a small amount of defrizzing formula into your strands before heading outdoors.

Seasonal changes to the weather can also wreak havoc on thick hair strands. For this reason, it’s wise to invest in products that can calm your frazzled locks year-round.

We recommend keeping a deep conditioning treatment in your bathroom during the winter and using it whenever your hair feels dehydrated or looks lackluster. In the summer, focus on applying lightweight products to your hair that won’t cause it to look greasy or matted.

These tips are invaluable for anyone who has coarse hair and is currently struggling to manage it. Follow them as closely as possible to discover just how beautiful your thick strands can be.