Why do hairdressers use thinning shears?
William Jenkins
Updated on March 06, 2026
Thinning shears are designed to enhance the shape created by cutting scissors. A hair stylist comes in at the end with thinning scissors to soften the haircut, not change the shape or structure. They may be used to remove unwanted bulk or for blending out a short or layered haircut.
What is the purpose of thinning shears?
Whilst thinning shears are slightly different from texturising scissors, they both remove hair without losing the length or shape of the haircut. Thinning scissors work to remove weight from the hair, whereas texturising scissors add volume and movement to the style.When should thinning shears be used?
Thinning shears are scissors that have one blade with teeth and one blade without. These teeth are little grooves on the blade that will quickly take your hair out in even sections to help alleviate excess weight, soften lines, and blend between sections.Why do hairdressers thin hair?
To put in layers, the hairdresser will play with different lengths of strands. Some are cut shorter than others to create movement and an impression of natural volume.Does using thinning shears damage your hair?
Thinning scissors can cause damage to your hair. Thinning scissors or shears can ruin your hairstyle and potentially cause long-term damage to the strands of hairs or the hair roots. If misused, hair thinning scissors can ruin your hairstyle and cause damage that can take months or years to repair.How To Texturize Your Own Hair
Does hair grow back thicker after using thinning shears?
Thinning scissors does allow hair growth.Although throwing scissors can help grow the hair, it will not be in the former state they were initially in. They won't grow back to the thickness they had before, usually.
Do thinning scissors give you split ends?
Do thinning shears cause damage, breakage, and split ends? "Not necessarily. But overuse can cause styling issues because the hair is all different lengths.Is Thinning good for your hair?
Thinning the hair out too much can also fray the ends of your hair, leaving it looking stringy and unhealthy. Layering hair properly is the best way to eliminate your hair's bulkiness without compromising the look or integrity of your hair.Is layering and thinning hair the same thing?
They each have a similar meaning, but the hard answer is no they are not the same. Layers refer to exterior layers in your hair. This means layers that you can actually see. Thinning and texturizing refer to interior layers that you can't physically see in the hair.Do thinning shears make hair frizzy?
Thinning Shears Risks For Curly & Frizzy Hair TypesMaking cuts with hair thinning scissors causes curly hair to become more frizzy and prone to split ends and breakage of the curl which, let's be real, no curly haired woman wants their hair to break off.
What is the difference between thinning and texturizing shears?
Thinning shears remove excess weight from hair and use smaller teeth. This makes them ideal for thinning out hair and giving it a sleek look. Texture shears, on the other hand, have wider teeth and are designed to create texture in the hair. They are perfect for adding volume and body to thin or fine hair.What's the difference between thinning shears and blending shears?
Both thinning shears and blending shears can remove weight and soften hard lines from the hair. The main difference between the two shears is that a thinning shear has teeth on both blades and a professional blending shear has one blunt blade and one blade with teeth.Why do hairdressers Texturize hair?
Texturizing is cutting hair so it adds movement and interest to the style. It's perfect for clients who want that volume and texture to give the hair an effortless look when really it's been days since they washed their hair.How do hairdressers thin out thick hair?
Purchase a pair of thinning shears.Thinning shears are often used by stylists in salons, and look like scissors with a thick, serrated edge. They are designed to cut about 15% of the hair, resulting in hair that still holds its shape and style but has less volume and density.