we see you out there searching for ‘how to get thicker hair’. you could have naturally thin hair or find yourself dealing with post-partum hair loss. or maybe stress has done a number on your mane? whatever the cause, the good news is that you can learn how to make your hair appear thicker by switching up your at-home routine. here’s how.
what is thick hair?
before we get to the solutions, let’s get a better understanding of what thick hair actually is. by definition, naturally thick hair is when there’s a helluva lot of hair per square inch of scalp. if your hair is naturally thick, your scalp will be barely visible. on the flip side, your scalp will be more visible if you have naturally thin hair.
image credit: @lina_sir.fletcher
the science behind thick hair
but how can hair look ‘thick’ or ‘thin’? well, science has the answer.
hair strands are basically threads of proteins that grow from the follicles on the scalp. some people may appear to have more hair because they have thicker strands, while others may simply have more hairs on their heads. in fact, while the average head will sport about 100,000 follicles, it’s not uncommon for people to have anywhere from 80,000 to 150,000.
why is my hair thinning?
hair not as thick as it once was? some of the most common causes of thinning hair include:
hair damage: changed up your doo to add some drama? suddenly switched from brunette to platinum blonde? added a perm, perhaps? overtreating your hair with colour, perms or relaxers can weaken hair, leading to breakage that makes hair appear thinner than usual.
pregnancy: some people experience hair loss not long after giving birth, due to a sharp decrease in estrogen levels.
ageing: male pattern baldness is a common condition that leads to hair loss and thinning, particularly at the top of the head. it affects as many as one in two men over the age of 40.
stress: an overload of stress hormones can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium that can lead to sudden hair loss and put hair follicles into a resting phase.
nutritional deficiencies: diets that are extremely low in protein or iron could lead to excessive hair shedding.
can i make my hair thicker?
soooo… this is where things get kinda complicated.
if you’re wondering ‘can i make my thin hair thicker?’, we hate to be the bearers of bad news but you can’t change your hair density.
that said, if your hair appears thinner than usual due to breakage from being overtreated, there’s plenty of things you can do to get your tresses back into tip top shape. (more on that in a moment…)
however, if there’s a pregnancy, health condition or genetics involved, it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional who can advise on the best treatment options available to you.
image credit: @hairbymarciapettman
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how to make your hair appear thicker in 5 steps
make your mane appear thicker by making the most of what you have.
1. avoid brushing hair when wet
ready to begin your journey to thicker hair? start by only brushing your mane when it’s dry.
when hair is wet, it is more fragile than usual, which can make it vulnerable to breakage. so if you brush your hair when you’re fresh outta the shower, there’s a higher chance that you’ll do more damage than good, leading to split ends and breakage, making hair appear thinner.
2. use a protein-rich treatment
prevent breakage by strengthening hair with an intense moisture or protein-rich hair treatment to improve the condition and shine of overprocessed or color-treated hair.
3. give yourself a scalp massage
take some time out and give yourself a scalp massage using your fingertips to apply light to medium pressure, moving in small circles. some studies suggest that scalp massages may promote blood flow to the scalp and may encourage longer strands making your hair appear thicker. that said, more research needs to be done into this area, but it’s worth a shot… right?
4. reduce heat styling and always use protection
we love a hair dryer, straightener or curler as much as the next guy… however, relying on these tools too much can dry hair out, exacerbating breakage and damage.
what to do? where possible, switch to air-drying instead. (you could go cold turkey or simply cut down on how often you reach for the hot tools.)
tip: if you do choose to style your hair with heat, be sure to lather your strands with a heat protectant beforehand, like icon welder heat protection spray, to minimize the damage.
5. use volumizing products
wondering how to get thicker hair? in the short term, let’s aim for hair that looks thicker. if your hair is fine or thinning, the right products can help fake thickness by plumping strands and creating lift at the root. and the results? instant.
cleanse and condition: with each wash, gluttony volumising shampoo builds body and adds volume to the hair without weighing it down. for bonus points, follow with bride of gluttony volumising conditioner for even more volume, plus a few other benefits like, y’know, more softness, shine and uva/uvb protection.
style: to fake thicker hair, sometimes, you need to be strategic. root canal volumising spray gets to the bottom of the issue by adding lift at the roots, creating the impression of more volume all-over. blow-dry shape vixen volumising lotion in for even more lift and style support.
best volumizing products
common faqs about getting thicker hair at home
what causes hair to look thin or flat?
there are lots of reasons your tresses may be looking a little less-than-lush. for example, you may simply have less hair or finer strands than other people, or you could be experiencing hair loss due to damage, pregnancy, age, stress or a health condition. if you’re concerned about your hair loss, it’s a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional first to rule out anything serious.
can shampoo and conditioner really make my hair look thicker?
yes! the right shampoo and conditioner can revolutionize your doo and make it look plump, healthy and full of life. make sure you choose volumizing products, like evo’s gluttony volumizing shampoo and the bride of gluttony volumizing conditioner. these work by lifting hair at the cuticle, creating fullness without weighing down the strand.
how often should i wash my hair to make it look fuller?
wondering how to get thicker hair? you may want to consider regular washes. oil buildup can weigh down your hair and make it look limp and lifeless. washing with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner every one to two days can help avoid oil buildup and keep your locks luscious.
should i avoid conditioner if i want thicker-looking hair?
even if you have thin or fine hair, it’s best not to skip conditioning. conditioner offers a range of amazing benefits to your locks, helping your hair stay smooth, hydrated and healthy. if you feel your conditioner is weighing you down, you might want to consider switching to a formula that’s been specifically designed to add volume to thin hair.
do any styling techniques help hair look thicker?
absolutely! there are lots of ways you can style your hair to make it appear fuller. you could consider a haircut that amps up the volume, like a blunt bob, a pixie cut or layered lengths. alternatively, you can use styling products, like volumizing sprays or lotions, to achieve a thicker visage. finally, you can try to add volume through styling with hot tools, like curling irons or blow-dryers — but remember, heat can damage hair and cause thinness, so it’s best to use heat protection and avoid hot styling where you can.
what products can help boost volume at home?
luckily, there are lots of products you can use to get salon-style volume at home. start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, which will give you the perfect light and lifted strands you need to create a fuller look. then, follow up with a volumizing spray or lotion to keep your locks looking luxe longer.
can changing my part make my hair look thicker?
changing the way you part your hair can make your hair lift at the root, giving an instant volumizing lift. you can experiment with middle parts, side parts and even deep side parts to see which style looks and feels best.
will cutting my hair help it look thicker?
getting a haircut can give your mane a thicker, fuller look, but only if you get the right one! haircuts that can add volume include blunt cuts, layered styles and pixie cuts, while undercuts, full fringes and long, straight styles could have the opposite effect. your best bet? chat with a qualified hairdresser to find out what styles could work for you!
how do i prevent product buildup that makes hair look limp?
dealing with limp locks? you’re not alone. the first step is to try switching your products to ones better suited to thin hair, as these are designed specifically to add volume without weighing you down. you could also consider washing more regularly, as this can prevent oil and products from building up on your scalp. finally, you could switch to a clarifying shampoo for one to two washes per week to deeply cleanse your hair and scalp.
will changing my diet help my hair to look thicker?
it’s no secret that the foods we eat affect every part of our lives, and that includes our hair! while it might not be a magic fix, healthier hair can appear thicker and fuller, so getting a varied diet full of nutrients is a great idea. how to make your hair thicker through your diet? seek out foods that are rich in protein, iron, zinc, selenium, omega-3 and biotin, as well as vitamins a, c, d and e.
