How To Make Your Hair Thicker Naturally According To Stylists & Nutritionists
Thick hair can be a major point of pride. Some of us have it inherentlywe were born with full heads of hair and simply never seemed to lose it. For others? Well, it can take some work. Sure, you can fake the fullness or you can get it the natural way. There’s nothing wrong with the former, but we’re fans of focusing on the latter.
And getting thickness really comes from a two-fold approach: Internal and external. That’s why it’s important to speak to hair stylists, dermatologists, and nutritionists for a well-rounded picture of hair health.
Here, our best tips.
Wash Your Hairwith The Right Shampoo
Forget what youve been told about dirty hair being the secret to volume. Yes, this is the third time we’re talking about washing your hair, but it’s important! Kingsley stresses that frequent cleansing not only helps to keep your scalp healthy to support hair growth, but it also removes excess oils at the roots, which is “especially important for fine or thinning hair, as it easily gets weighed down, Kingsley says.
Plus, skipping out on shampooing too oftenor relying on a constant stream of dry shampooing insteadcan also lead to a flaky scalp, says Kingsely, “which can exacerbate hair loss. Don’t know which shampoo to use? Look for words like “volumizing” or “thickening” on the label, and you usually can’t go wrong.
Rounded Inverted Bob / Angled Bob
Rounded bobs probably remind you of the good old 90s. Well, they are back in the fashion scene albeit with a new twist. Modify your regular rounded bob by teaming it with the angled cut. An inverted bob with razor-sharp edges, rounded under, can not only pump up the volume of your hair but also make you look like a diva.
Don’t Miss: What Can Women Do For Hair Loss
Don’t Overdo Dry Shampoo
Not washing your hair every day can help keep your strands conditioned however, always reaching for the dry shampoo can do the opposite.
“Overuse of dry shampoo is not only cheating your scalp out of the TLC it needs, but it can also cause detrimental buildup on the scalp and suffocate follicles, which can lead to thinning hair and hair loss,” warns Scarbrough. “If you love a good second- day refresh, as I know I do, opt for a mineral-, oat-, or rice-protein-based dry shampoo.”
And when it’s time to wash, don’t skip on that second shampoo, and scrub it like you mean it! You may even consider a scalp exfoliator to help remove buildup.
How To Naturally Thicken Your Fine Or Thin Hair
Are you a member of the fine or thin hair club and want out or have been wanting out your whole life? Look no further! Learn how I nearly tripled the thickness of my formerly fine and thin hair using natural methods and some helpful products. Whether your hair is color-treated, thinning, or you are experiencing male or female pattern baldness, there are treatments that you can do at home to encourage regrowth and increase your hair volume.
Don’t Miss: What To Do With Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Adopt New Washing And Styling Habits
Eat To Benefit Your Hair
Regularly consuming certain nutrients and foods can make a difference when it comes to having thick, lush strands. Seek out lean proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, B-complex vitamins, and iron, suggests GH Nutrition Director and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN. Top sources to support healthy hair growth include:
- Salmon
- Avocado
Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Hair Loss For Teenage Guys Naturally
Undergo Hair Replacement Surgery
Hair replacement surgery can thicken your hair. Hair transplants involve a doctor moving hair from one spot of your body to the thinning area of your scalp.
This can be done as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, but your scalp may be painful after the transplant. You may also need more than one procedure to reach your desired hair thickness.
Note that this cosmetic procedure may not be covered by your insurance carrier. In this case, you may have to pay for the surgery out of pocket.
Keep in mind that hair replacement surgery will not stop male pattern baldness from progressing in the long run.
In addition to being dangerous to overall health, smoking has been linked to hair loss.
Many factors contribute to hair loss in people that smoke. Most noticeably, smoking has been shown to damage the DNA of the hair follicle, leading to inflammation and scarring, and eventually androgenetic alopecia.
The association between hair loss and smoking provides yet another reason to consider quitting. Today, there are a good deal of smoking cessation aids and programs that you can try. Work with a doctor or healthcare provider to find the right plan for you.
Brush From Ends To Roots To Reduce Breakage
So much damage and breakage can happen at the fault of your hair-brushing technique. Make sure to use the bottoms-up method as well as tools that are gentle on your hair. “It’s vital to detangle from the bottom up, starting at your ends not your scalp,” explains Fernando Salas, creator of White Sands Haircare. “When you comb hair from the bottom up, you are working with less surface area to untangle at one time.” Be extra gentle on your endsthat’s where breakage comes from.
Use a boar-bristled brush for finer hair texturesthey’re strong enough to detangle and minimize breakage but gentle enough that they won’t pull out hair strands.
You May Like: Which Oil Is Best For Hair Loss
Try A Proven Hair Regrowth Formula
If you have serious hair loss or thinning at 50-plus be sure to see your doctor or dermatologist hair issues can be caused by medical conditions like thyroid disease and medications, hormonal issues, diet, nutritional deficiencies, stress and genetics. Hair growth supplements and topical products are turning up everywhere. FDA-approved minoxidil formulas like Women’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam , Nioxin Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women and Keranique 2% Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women are still the gold standard for reversing hair loss and jump-starting improved hair. They do take months for results to really show, and while these drugs are available over the counter it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before starting.
Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman’s Wakeup.
More on Beauty & Style
How Does Vitamin D Affect Hair
Vitamin D affects the health of many parts of the body, including the skin and hair.
Vitamin D plays a role in the creation of new hair follicles. Hair follicles are the tiny pores from which new hairs grow. New follicles may help hair maintain thickness and prevent existing hair from falling out prematurely.
Because of this link, getting adequate amounts of vitamin D can support hair growth and regrowth.
People with a vitamin D deficiency may have no symptoms, or their symptoms may be nonspecific and change over time.
Symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include:
- changes in mood, including depression or anxiety
- infertility
A lack of sunlight or not eating enough foods rich in vitamin D are the most common causes of a vitamin D deficiency.
However, some people may have vitamin D deficiencies because of another underlying condition, including Crohns disease or celiac disease, which prevent the body from fully absorbing nutrients.
People with an underlying medical condition will experience symptoms of the primary cause and symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency, as well.
Certain medications may also cause the body to break down vitamin D before it can be used. Medications that may cause a vitamin D deficiency include:
- antifungals
- medications for HIV
- anticonvulsants
If a medication is causing a vitamin D deficiency or hair loss, a person should speak to their doctor about alternatives.
- some fish, include salmon, trout, and sardines
- nuts
- cheese
Read Also: What Can I Take For Hair Thinning
What Is Female Pattern Baldness
Female pattern baldness is termed androgenetic alopecia and is heavily influenced by genetics. This pattern of baldness generally appears along the crown and temples of the head and is characterized by excessive hair loss and thinning through the part. The common causes of female pattern baldness include:
- Pituitary or ovarian tumours: Tumours of the pituitary gland or ovaries may cause the over-secretion of androgen hormones.
- Medication: Certain medications cause hair loss.
- Autoimmune diseases: Alopecia areata causes the body to attack its hair follicles.
- Medication: Certain medications, such as those that are used to treat cancer, can cause hair loss as a side effect. However, hair usually regrows once a person stops taking the medication.
- Health complications: Weight loss, surgery, and nutrient or mineral deficiencies due to malnourishment can cause hair loss.
- Traction alopecia: Tight hairstyles that put stress on the scalp may cause hair loss.
Do Layers Make Thin Hair Look Thicker
The simple answer is yes. Layering your hair gives it more texture and definition, giving it an illusion of volume. Layers today dont have to be perfect. The current trend is choppy layers that look very organic without any razor-sharp edges to them.
You can go for one-length haircuts too, but they would be a little less volumizing than the soft layers. But with short haircuts, layers or no layers, you are sure to get some desirable volume.
Don’t Miss: Does Fish Oil Help With Hair Loss
Why Our Hair Thins:
But first, “It’s important to know that most people lose up to 100 hairs per day. If you don’t regularly brush your hair, this can feel very dramatic in the shower,” says Andi Scarborough, stylist and co-owner of Framed salon in Santa Monica, California.
Beyond the usual shedding, there are reasons for hair loss. “When I see clients who come to me with hair concerns, most often it’s caused by high stress levels, hormonal issues, and/or a combination of lack of nutrients or not eating enough food,” says Hill. Other culprits include aging, thyroid problems, some prescription drugs, smoking, and genetics.
Of course, how you treat your tresses matters too, from washing your hair with more natural products to how you style it. But as complicated as the causes may be, thicker hair solutions can be simple and even better for your hair and overall health.
Note: Contact your health care provider if you have sudden hair loss. This can be a symptom of a health problem.
How Do You Style Thin Hair
Style TIps for Thinning Hair. Ask your stylist. She might suggest a short cut, a different part, maybe a gentle body wave. Try a styling product for thin hair to hide bare spots. Apply it to the root area then gently blow dry to build volume. Let your hair air dry for a while before you use the dryer.
Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Hair Loss While On Birth Control
Classic Layered Pixie Cut
Pulling off a pixie cut may seem difficult if you have never worn your hair that short. But trust us, the pixie cut is one of the coolest haircuts out there and has been so for a long time. Almost every Hollywood beauty, from Audrey Hepburn to Winona Ryder to Natalie Portman, has rocked the pixie.
For thin hair, add layers to your pixie cut to add a little more definition and volume.
Use The Right Products For Your Hair Type
There are just a few precious minutes between stepping out of the shower and a dry head of hair. Make them count! While hair is still wet, spritz with a root lifter or massage in a volumizing mousse. Dont underestimate the power of a great blow out for adding fullness and body. Use a natural bristle brush for best results. Dry hair on the left side of the head by brushing up and to the right, then do the opposite for the right side of the head. Once your hair is dry, but still warm, use Velcro rollers to add volume while your hair cools down. Start at the front hair line and roll hair back, away from the forehead. Leave the rollers in about 10 minutes and remove. Use your fingers to style and smooth any loose ends. Finish with a no-residue hair spray to hold your style in place. Test your hair spray to make sure its a no-residue formula by spraying a little onto a mirror. The mirror should remain clear. Give your hair a quick once over to check for any holes where your scalp could show through, especially along the hairline, crown and part. You can also lightly touch up these areas with a color-matching root concealing spray or powder. Look for one that is water- and transfer-resistant for added staying power.
Also Check: How To Stop Hashimoto’s Hair Loss
Thin Hair Problem: Causes And Symptoms
Watching your thick and curly hair to be thin over time is not something that you hate to watch, right? But have you ever thought of the reasons?
No, its not just age and your hectic work-life. There are real scientific reasons behind it, which can be taken care of.
Listed issues are the culprits behind hair thinning-