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Do you long for thick, voluminous hair? Stress, aging, genetics, and the chemicals in hair treatments and dyes are all possible causes of thin hair. No matter why your hair is thin, there are strategies you can employ to get thicker, fuller hair. There are several volume-boosting hair care techniques, lifestyle changes, and other strategies you can use to make your hair better
Steps
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Select chemical-free hair products. Sometimes the main culprit that causes hair to thin is the shampoo you use every day. Hair cleansers, conditioners, and styling products often contain chemicals that wear down the hair, dry it out and cause it to fall out more easily than healthy hair. Immediately improve the health of your hair by making the following changes in your bathroom:
- Swap shampoo with sulfates for sulfate-free shampoo. [1] X Research source Sulfates are harsh cleaners that are effective at stripping away the oils in your hair. The problem is that without the protection of natural oils, hair gets easily damaged and frayed. Choose a shampoo made with oils and natural cleansers that won't be too harsh for your hair.
- Replace commercially-manufactured conditioner with something made with natural ingredients. Conditioners can contain sulfates, too, and they also contain other chemicals that can be hard on your hair. Replace your conditioner with one that is made with coconut oil, aloe, and other natural conditioners. You can also try substituting an apple cider vinegar solution - it makes hair soft, supple and shiny.
- Toss out hair sprays, gels, and pomades containing a lot of chemicals and alcohol. Applying these to your hair can dry it out and damage it over time. Use them sparingly or replace them with hair products containing natural ingredients.
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Handle your hair gently. Hair is soft and fragile, and if you're trying to grow it as thick as possible, it's important not to treat it too roughly. Certain hair-handling habits can cause hair to fall out, break off, or fray. Change up your routine in the following ways:- Wash it less frequently. Washing your hair every day doesn't give your scalp time to produce the natural oils that coat your hair and keep it healthy. Wash it three times a week at most. Use dry shampoo to freshen it up between washings.
- Blot your hair dry. Instead of wringing it out and roughly toweling it, use a soft towel to gently squeeze your hair and blot it dry.
- Use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush. Brushing your hair can pull it out, and especially never brush your hair when it's wet. Use a wide toothed comb to work out the tangles gently by starting from the ends and working up the hair shaft. If you do use a brush, then make sure to brush your hair gently. [2] X Research source
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Stop using heat. Styling tools like hair dryers, straightening irons, and curling irons are tough on hair. Use them sparingly or forego them altogether. If you absolutely must straighten or curl your hair, try straightening without heat or using sponge rollers to curl it.
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Let your hair be its natural self. Bleaching, highlighting, and coloring your hair can cause it to fall out or become dry and brittle. Chemical straighteners and permanent curls are also extremely damaging to your hair. Embrace your natural color and texture to promote hair growth and preserve the health of your hair.
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Get regular trims. Trimming your hair gets rid of dull, damaged ends and adds new life and volume to your hair. Shorter cuts and layered cuts, especially, can make your hair appear to be thicker than it looks when it's long and untrimmed.
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Eat a nutritious diet. If you have a diet devoid of essential nutrients, it shows in the volume and texture of your hair. Thick, voluminous hair depends on a healthy diet filled with vitamins and minerals that cause your hair to grow strong.
- Get plenty of protein. Protein makes hair thick and shiny. Make sure you're getting enough in your diet by eating a lot of fish, lean meat, nuts, and eggs. [3] X Research source
- Eat omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fatty acids promote hair growth. Eat sardines, walnuts, avocados, and pumpkin seeds.
- Eat spinach and other leafy greens to get enough vitamin C.
- Take vitamins. Prenatal vitamins, especially, contain ingredients that help thicken your hair.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity HairstylistSupplements can nourish your hair. "I’m constantly asked about hair loss, thinning hair, and sensitive scalp. Taking supplements is probably the advice I give the most. Your beauty routine needs to start from within—popping vitamins to ensure scalp health allows hair to grow in faster, thicker and healthier."
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Protect your hair from environmental damage. Everyday activities you don't think about may be causing your hair to become brittle and thin. Take the following measures to protect your hair from outside factors:
- Keep it out of the sun. Direct sunlight can damage your hair just like it can damage your skin. If you're out in the sun a lot, start wearing a hat or a scarf to keep your hair safe.
- Protect it from pollution. Do you have a morning commute that involves walking near heavy traffic? Pollution from cars, buses and other automobiles can cause your hair to dry out. Consider wearing a hat when you're in areas with traffic.
- Don't expose it to chlorine or salt water. Chlorine in swimming pools and salt water in the ocean are a common cause of dry, damaged hair. Over time it can cause your hair to become thinner. Wear a swim cap in the pool. Rinse your hair before exposing to chlorine or salt water. When you don't wear a cap, be sure to wash out the chlorine as soon as you get out of the pool.
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Relieve your stress. Stress from work, family issues and any number of factors can take a physical toll that manifests as hair loss. Becoming aware of this problem can help you figure out how to eliminate the problem that might be causing your hair to thin. [4] X Research source
- If possible, remove the stress from your life or deal with it using healthy methods like meditation, exercise and getting plenty of sleep.
- Knowing that your hair is thinning can itself become a source of stress. Ease your worry by employing new strategies to help your hair grow thick, like using natural products, skipping chemical treatments and eating a nutritious diet.
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Try a hair thickening product. Beauty stores sell a variety of serums, balms, and other products designed to help hair grow thicker. Decide which type of product is right for you.
- Growth-stimulating shampoos replace your normal shampoo with substances that are said to promote growth.
- Products like Rogaine are applied to the head over the course of several sessions, after which new hair growth will hopefully appear.
- Products like mousse can help because they allow the hair to sit up a little higher.
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Get extensions or weaves. Adding volume to your hair could be as simple as going to the salon and paying for it. Extensions, weaves, and clip-ins are a natural, effective option for getting thicker hair without having to wait.
- Hair extensions, weaves, and clip-ins can be a great way to add length, volume, and color to your hair.
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Look into getting hair transplants. Getting hair transplants involves having individual hair follicles surgically implanted in areas that are thinning or balding. This method is often expensive, but it can be quite effective. Research the treatment and talk with a doctor to decide whether hair transplants might be the right treatment for you.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionI have naturally thick hair. It used to be really thick, but now its pretty thin. What can I do?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.If your hair density has changed, it could be an indication of a health problem or allergy. I'd recommend you see a doctor who can help you diagnose the cause. Changes in diet, medication and stress are all probable causes.
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QuestionHow do I make my hair thicker?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.The best way to thicken hair is to eat lots of food rich in omega three oils such as flax seeds and salmon. You should also avoid chemical treatments such as perms, bleach, and permanent color.
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QuestionHow do I make my hair thick when I already had thin hair since the time I was born?Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.It seems like thin hair may be genetic for you. Maybe you should visit a doctor if other means of thickening your hair haven't worked for you.
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Tips
- Don't style your hair while it's wet, because it can cause damage, cause breakage at the roots and therefore, cause hair to not grow in.Thanks
- Certain hairstyles (like a topknot or high chignon bun) can help your hair appear thicker than it actually is.Thanks
- Massage your scalp with the tips of your fingers (NOT your fingernails) in a clockwork motion 10-15 minutes a day.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Massage oils like coconut, olive or almond into your scalp and hair prior to washing. Letting the oils penetrate the scalp for an hour provides intensive conditioning treatment.
- After washing, blot hair with a towel instead of rubbing to dry. Rubbing creates tangles leading to damage when brushing wet hair. Handle strands gently.
- Apply egg masks weekly, leaving on 20 minutes before rinsing out. The protein repairs damage while conditioning deeply. Mix with oil for added moisture.
- While swimming, wear a tight cap over hair. Chlorine and salt water dry out hair over time, causing brittleness and thinning. Rinse out after exposure.
- Reduce washing to max 2-3 times weekly. Daily washing strips natural oils that protect hair away. Use dry shampoo to refresh your hair in between!
- Change brushing method — always start from tips upward to roots gently with a wide-tooth comb. Harsh brushing causes more breakage and fallout.
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References
- ↑ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a574/hair-tips-1010/
- ↑ http://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a574/hair-tips-1010/
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/hair/a17985/how-to-get-thicker-hair/
- ↑ http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/hair/a17985/how-to-get-thicker-hair/
- Videos provided by Shannon Sullivan
About This Article
Article Summary
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To thicken your hair, minimize damage by washing it only 3 times a week with a natural, sulfate-free shampoo. After you wash your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles instead of a brush. Try to avoid bleaching, coloring or heat-styling it, since these things can damage your hair and make it thinner. Then, focus on eating foods with a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, such as sardines, walnuts, and avocados. If your hair still isn’t thick enough, keep reading for more treatment options from our Beauty Reviewer.
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Reader Success Stories
- "Try to stress less. I believe stress has led to my hair thinning. It used to always be naturally thick. Getting back to a healthier diet and exercise regimen." ..." more
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"Try to stress less. I believe stress has led to my hair thinning. It used to always be naturally thick. Getting back to a healthier diet and exercise regimen."
..."
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"The part about eating healthy and using shampoos with natural ingredients."
"Great overall article. Thanks for the advice and tips."
"These are good options for getting to know about hair."
"All of the article was very helpful. Thanks!"
