Pomades That Thicken Hair
Pomade is the most familiar hair product for most guys and it can also enhance thin or fine hair. Some pomades advertise their thickening properties while others dont mention it. Texturizing pomades with clay, wax, or fibers and hair putties also boost thickness and volume.
In terms of hold, that depends on your hair type, length, and style. In general, low to medium hold is best for fine, thin, and curly hair types. Use a strong hold for shorter hair and high volume looks. Hold really varies by brand so look for other qualities first.
Other than that, be sure to use a matte product because shine can weigh hair down and make it look thinner. Heres what to look for.
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How To Tame Thick & Unruly Hair For Men
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Stocksy / Design by Zackary Angeline
Thick hair comes with its own set of challenges. It can be unruly, hard to handle, and takes forever to dry. Luckily, with the right tools, thick, luscious hair can be tamed. If youve been blessed with a super-thick head of hair, these tips will help you get your mane under control. Thanks to some experts, we’ve got all the advice you need to control a full head of hair.
Meet the Expert
- Rod Galvao is a stylist at Gem House in Brooklyn, NYC.
- Jeff White is a barber at Fellow Barbers Williamsburg location.
Hot Air Is Your Friend
Blow drying your hair is an absolute must for guys with thinning hair. Unlike air-drying, which can make hair fall flat, blow drying your hair on medium heat can help lift and separate hair strands to make them appear thicker.
For maximum volume, use your blow dryer at an angle to blast strands in an upward direction. Depending on the hairstyle youre going for, you can finish up with hair spray to lock your strands into place while giving them more volume.
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Prescription Medications And Treatments
Here are some medications for hair thinning and loss that your doctor may be able to prescribe:
- Finasteride : This is an oral medication that helps reduce levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone that can cause hair loss.
- Corticosteroids: These are oral or injected medications that can reduce inflammation that may lead to hair loss.
- Laser therapy: Your doctor or a dermatologist may be able to treat hair follicles with laser technology that sends light particles called photons into your follicles to help them grow. Talk to your doctor first to see if this will help you.
Update Your Styling Routine When Thinning Out Thick Hair
Update your styling arsenal with anti-frizz products, but steer clear from anything that will give your hair unwanted volume. We absolutely love how serums coat the hair, preventing humidity from entering and wreaking havoc on the cuticle. Smooth on a serum, like TREsemmé Keratin Smooth Keratin Smoothing Serum, onto hair after styling to keep your strands in check.
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Switch To A Milder Shampoo
Hopefully you already know that too much shampoo is bad for your hair. It strips all the good oils along with the bad, drying it out and making it hard to style. However, sometimes thats the tradeoff if you actually want your hair to look fuller: When its parched, it stands up more and looks thicker. So, since you might be shampooing more frequently in order to get this effect, Fee suggests switching to one thats engineered to be less harsh on your strands. Itll still lift the hair since it removes the oil at the root, but itll dry the actual hair out less in the process, by preserving its natural oils.
It gives hair volume and a thicker feel, Fee says.
2. Use Light, Dry Products
When it comes to thinning hair, you dont want to use heavy, greasy products thatll weigh the hair down, says Fee. It will cause separation that only accentuates the hair loss.
Shes referring to things like standard shiny pomade. Instead you want something with a matte finish that lifts the hair. She uses Kevin Murphy Rough Rider Clay Pomade , or a texturizing spray like Oribes, which kind of works like a dry shampoo to soak excess oils and add some lift.
Both are light and dry products that give volume and texture, says Fee. A good rule of thumb is to start with a little product and build as needed.
3. Use a Round Brush
It gives the hair volume and a thicker look, she adds.
4. Follow These Dieting Principles
Use Hair Thickening Shampoo
Oily hair is the kryptonite of fine hair. So, if youre trying to boost the volume of your hair, youll want to make sure that you wash your hair before oil and dirt build up . As weve covered in our guide to hair loss shampoo ingredients, the most effective shampoos for limiting hair loss and promoting hair growth use ingredients that block DHT from binding to and damaging your hair follicles.
Key ingredients to look for include saw palmetto and ketoconazole. Another ingredient worth looking for is rosemary oil, which may offer hair growth benefits, according to an article published in the journal, SkinMed.
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If Youre Open To Other Solutions
Consider getting a texture wave. Unlike the perms of the 80s, these texture-creating waves are done on much larger rods and use gentler chemicals, Michon Kessler, stylist at Studio M salon in Reno, Nevada told TODAY Style. This option should only be considered if you have strong enough hair that has not been weakened by color. Consult a professional for recommendations.
Nunzio Saviano, of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City, recommends a microblading treatment around the hairline so hair appears more voluminous and the scalp is less pronounced. Results can can camouflage problem areas and results last up to 18 months.
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How To Get Thicker Hair
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and noticed your scalp peeking right back at you through your hair?
Hair loss is an extremely common issue for men, with more than 50 percent of all men over the age of 50 affected by it, according to an article published in the journal, MedlinePlus.
While many people associate hair loss with a receding hairline or balding crown, hair loss often starts as gradual thinning that can make hair look less thick, full and healthy.
Weve explained how to reverse this process below, covering the most effective medications, products and habits for stopping hair loss and stimulating thick, full hair growth.
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Symptoms Of Thinning Hair
There’s more to male hair loss than you’re likely to realise. It’s not all about thinning crowns and slowly-emerging bald patches, but instead about where you’re losing your hair how quickly and by how much.
Symptoms of thinning hair include circular and patchy bald spots, scaling that spreads across the scalp, hair loss across your body and sudden loss of hair which can be particularly noticeable when you’re showering, shaving or styling your hair. Of course, a gradual thinning on top of your head is most likely to go un-noticed, so be sure to pay attention.
What If You Struggle With Dandruff
Lots of guys deal with dandruff and flakes, but many dont understand the underlying causes of dandruff or how to treat it properly. You could just grab a dandruff shampoo off your drugstore shelf, but most are packed with harsh chemical ingredients that eliminate flakes at the cost of your hair and scalp health. The smarter choice is to use a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo that relieves itch, flakes, and irritation without over-drying.
Thats how we designed our Relieving Dandruff Shampoo. Its made with Ziziphus Joazeiro bark extract, jojoba, and aloe vera – three essential ingredients that soothe your scalp and make flakes a thing of the past.
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Ask For Less Layering
Layered haircuts often make hair look more voluminous and thick. Reducing the amount of layering in your haircut will usually make it appear thinner.
While it may sound obvious, the first step should be an honest and clear discussion with your barber or stylist.
It can be tempting to try and cut your hair yourself to make it thinner, but unless youve got the skills its really not worth attempting.
Let them know that you want your hair to look thinner and tell them exactly where the main areas of concern are.
They may well suggest a less layered haircut themselves. A barber would usually just get on with it without much discussion.
However, directly ask whoever it is thats cutting your hair whether a less layered haircut would be worth attempting in order to make the hair appear thinner.
Theres a good chance itll work.
How Can Women Get Thicker Hair
Some companies market products to people of different genders and promise to make the hair appear thicker and fuller. These may also help slow hair loss. The AAD reports that some shampoos can lock in moisture and reduce breakage, preventing hair thinning.
Anyone who suspects that they have hair loss should see a dermatologist, who can identify the cause of thinning or shedding hair and recommend the right treatment. The doctor may prescribe minoxidil, a drug that can stimulate hair growth and slow balding.
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How To Make Thin Hair Look Thicker
This article was co-authored by Christine George. Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty.There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 392,893 times.
Thinning hair, whatever the cause, can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are quite a few potential remedies available to help thicken hair, from simple haircut strategies to styling tricks to natural at-home methods. With the number of options out there, you can very likely find the one that will work for you and help you work around the frustrations of less-than-voluptuous hair.
Start With The Haircut
First things first: Pay a visit to your barber. The right haircut for thinning hair can make a WORLD of difference to your hair and instantly give your thinning strands some extra oomph.
In general, you want to stick to haircuts that are tighter on the sides and longer on top. Think: Quiff haircuts, pompadours, comb-overs and slick backs. These haircuts can fake a fuller appearance when it comes time to actually style your thin hair.
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Use A Thickening Shampoo
There is a wide array of shampoos on the market today that claim to help your hair look thicker. However, there is only one ingredient that has been shown to be effective against genetic hair loss ketoconazole.
Nizoral A Popular Shampoo Containing Ketoconazole
Keep in mind, this substance is still only widely available if you get a prescription for it. However, there are a few products available over-the-counter with this ingredient. If you opt to use a shampoo with this ingredient in it, make sure that you only use about a quarter-sized dollop two to three things a week. If you use more than this, it may dry out your hair, causing it to break. Use a non-irritating shampoo on the days you dont use ketoconazole.
There are also thickening shampoos that do not contain ketoconazole that provide excellent cosmetic benefits. Weve compiled a list of the top thickening shampoos on this page.
Example of a Thickening Shampoo
Invest In The Right Styling Products For Thicker Hair
If you have thin hair, look for styling products that have lightweight formulas like mousses, foams or styling sprays. Heavy styling products like gels or lotions can weigh hair down, making it look limp. If you must blow-dry your hair, the most important styling product one should buy is a heat protectant spray.
This product acts as a shield, preventing hair from damage and breakage, while also acting like a pre-styler. We love the hardworking properties in Dove Style+Care Smooth and Shine Heat Protection Spray.
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Use The Right Styling Products
If youre using heavy waxes and gels on thinning hair youre not doing it any favours. These can weigh hair down making it look thin and flat, says Enzo Volpe, stylist at Michael John salon. The most effective styling product to give hair volume is mousse, along with sprays developed to give the hair root lift.
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Style Your Hair Differently
In an effort to make your hair look thicker, a fresh haircut, avoiding tight hairstyles, blow drying your hair, and styling your hair with your fingers instead of a comb can make a world of a difference.
Read our article that discusses “does blow drying cause hair loss?”for more information.
Change your haircut
If youve been thinking about changing up your hairstyle, you might as well go with something that creates the illusion that youve got a thick head of hair.
Two of the most stylish hairstyles out, the side part and the undercut, happen to both be great for adding an extra layer of thickness to your hair type.
And if youre going for something a little bit longer, ask your barber or hair stylist to try a haircut that gives you a fringe so that youre able to conceal any thinning around your hairline.
Avoid wearing your hair in a tight, pulled-back style.
Hairstyles that put an excessive amount of tension on your hair, such as dreadlocks, ponytails or classic tightly slicked-back hair, can cause a form of hair loss called traction alopecia.To avoid this form of hair loss, take care not to style your hair in a way that pulls on the hair root too aggressively.
Style Your Hair With Your Fingers
If youre wearing a hairstyle that looks good when styled slightly messily, you should consider doing away with your brush or comb and using your fingers instead.
Blow-Dry Your Hair
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What Does Thinning Hair Look Like
Hair loss can affect men of all ages. As such, its important to know the signs of thinning hair so that you can tackle the problem as it develops. Hair loss in men typically begins around the forehead and on top of the head. Therefore, many men experience a receding hairline as part of the early stages of their hair loss. To determine whether your hairline is receding, try comparing your current hair to a photo from two years ago. Thinning hair on top of the head, on the other hand, can be identified by regularly parting your hair down the middle and seeing how much scalp is revealed.
What Does The Research Say
Hair loss can develop differently, depending on a persons sex. For example, the British Association of Dermatologists reports that female pattern hair loss typically affects people aged 30 or older and causes thinning of hair on the crown of the head. It also says that the hair may appear shorter in other areas. There is currently no cure.
A person might try home care strategies, but these should not replace professional treatment for an underlying health condition that may be causing thin hair, such as a nutritional deficiency or alopecia.
The natural remedies below may help thicken thin hair, regardless of whether further treatment is necessary.
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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.
Too-tight ponytails? Mile-high buns? If you’re guilty of any of these styles, you’re likely the owner of thin hairs around the scalp and are looking for a solution to your perpetual question of how to thicken hair. The more sparse the scalp is at the hairline, the more it can appear thinner than it really isthat’s where a root cover-up product comes in. Fans of the Color Wow Root Cover Up rave about its ability to mask thin hairs at the scalp and camouflage roots at the same time.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution, dab on some of Naturalicious’ Spanish Almond Regrowth Oil twice a dayit’s a treatment oil that harnesses the hair growth benefits of Spanish almond oil and promises results in 90 days.
Key Ingredients