Hamburg - Most women crave fuller hair, but in reality the dream of having flowing tufts is comparatively easy to achieve with the right cut and appropriate hair care.

Even fine, thin hair can be made to look like there's a plenty of it. Getting the right cut is the first precondition.

"Not much can be done to create volume with medium-length, fine

hair that is not cut in layers," said Franz-Josef Kueveler, art director of the central association of German hair stylists in Cologne. Long, unlayered hair hangs down flat - the force of gravity sees to that, he said.

A layered bob or a short hairstyle gives the impression of more hair. Using structure techniques, a hair stylist is able to bring out even more.

"In places where volume is needed, the stylist cuts some of the hair very short. The result is the shorter hairs push the somewhat longer ones away from the head," said Kueveler.

However, not every stylist is able to perform this complicated cutting technique, said Jens Dagne of Worms, chairman of a hair stylist union in Germany. It's a job for a true professional.

"It can't be expected with a 10 euro haircut," Dagne said. "There will be more gaps produced than volume."

Once a voluminous cut has been achieved, the right styling comes next. It's wise to use a thickening product on the roots. Such products strengthen the hair exactly at the point where it's needed, said Stefanie Koehn of another German hair stylists in Stuttgart and herself a specialist in hairstyles for fine hair.

Like a scaffold, there are tiny pieces lying around the hair and prevent it from falling over, Dagne added. "That's a dream for people with thin hair."

A hair dryer is then used until the hair is dry. Brushing gives the hair its final kick, while cold air is used at the end to fix the form.

"Be careful with gels and wax, which can cause the hair and all its splendour to collapse," Koehn warned. Finishing products specially designed for fine hair are better, she said. They don't load down the hair with additional weight.

These special products are more expensive, but they also help cleanse and groom thin hair.

"With a volume shampoo that absorbs into the hair, increasing its diameter, you can create a reasonable basis to make something out of thin hair," said Kueveler. It requires a bit of patience, however, as it cannot be achieved from one day to the next and regular applications of the product are important.

People with fine hair should not bother using a conditioner, which makes the hair even softer, said Koehn. A treatment that strengthens the hair from the inside, gives it shine and impedes irritating static electricity is more advisable.

Special colour techniques can help create the illusion of more hair which becomes smooth and the cut lasts longer.

"But hair colour roughens the skin of the scalp," said Kueveler. Multicolour highlights give greater volume - optically at least. A specialist should ensure the customer leaves with the latest trends.

A perm is a noticeable way of producing more volume. This is not about making tight little curls, said Dagne. In this case, large curlers are used, and when placed correctly, they guarantee more volume over a relatively long period.

"Unfortunately, the younger generation rarely asks for perms," said Kueveler. Perms still suffer from the image that they look like a throwback to the 1980s although perms can often work wonders, said Kueveler.

"If perms would come back into fashion, many people would no longer have the problem of too little volume," he said.

A balanced diet also contributes to beautiful hair. Whole wheat bread, oatmeal, nuts, eggs, vegetables, fruit and meat strengthen the roots and promote healthy hair growth. Often supplements promise to strengthen the hair.

"Zinc, the B vitamins and silica are good for the hair and nails and can be used as a treatment in the autumn and winter," Koehn said. "But you've got to be realistic. A few pills won't make thin hair into a lion's mane." (dpa)