How to Thicken Your Hair

Last Updated: December 3, 2022 Approved

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

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Everyday Care to Promote Thicker Hair

1
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]
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  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.
2
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]
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3
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.
4
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.
5
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes to Help Hair Grow Thicker

1
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]
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- 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.
2
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.
3
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]
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- 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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Treatment Options for Getting Thick Hair

1
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.
2
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.
3
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.

Expert Q&A

Question

I have naturally thick hair. It used to be really thick, but now its pretty thin. What can I do?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.
Question

How do I make my hair thicker?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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.
Question

How do I make my hair thick when I already had thin hair since the time I was born?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
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.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

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.