There are several reasons why hair might fall out or turn brittle, thin and less vibrant. If you’ve ruled out possible health conditions, medications, or other external factors, chances are you’re experiencing the impact of neglect or good old aging on your hair. Not to worry! We’ve asked our top stylists for some hacks to create the illusion and help thin hair look thicker!
What Causes Thin Hair?
There are a myriad of different causes that can lead to thin hair. A big one is genetics; some of us are predisposed to having thin hair, while medical issues and aging can also lead to thinning hair. If your hair is bleach-damaged to the point of breaking off, you may mistake that as thinning hair, too. Thin hair refers to the quantity of individual strands, while fine hair pertains to the thickness of each strand. Even if each strand is thick and coarse, a low density of hair can create the illusion of thinness. Conversely, fine hair consists of smaller diameter strands that may appear wispy. It is possible to have fine hair that is abundant, resulting in the appearance of a full and dense head of hair.
How Can I Make My Thin Hair Look Thicker?
We’ve gathered top 10 ways to help your thin hair look thicker!
1. Just a Trim
Getting frequent trims can dramatically improve your hair health. Trimming gets rid of split ends, which lead to hair breakage and diminished shine, volume and smoothness. Whatever your style goal, regular trims will help you maintain fuller, healthier-looking hair along the way.
2. Shampoo & Condition Wisely
Ordinary shampoos may contain significant amounts of harmful sulfates that strip your hair of its natural oils, which organically moisturize and repair. They can also remove color and other treatments. Shuffle between volumizing, moisturizing, deep-cleansing, and gentler shampoos to cleanse your hair and scalp without damaging them. And whenever you shampoo, be sure to use the right conditioner. Shampoo opens the hair’s cuticle, and conditioner seals it back up—locking in the nutrients and keeping pollutants out.
3. Improve Your Health
The hair root derives nourishment from inside your body, so your diet and general well-being will have an effect on your hair health. Daily supplements containing essential vitamins, minerals, and blends of botanicals work to feed your hair from the inside out. Vitamins A, B7 or biotin, C, D, and E, as well as Iron and Zinc, all promote more healthy-looking hair. Also, studies show that smoking is not only bad for your heart and lungs, but damaging to your hair too.1 So there’s another reason to quit smoking!
4. Turn Down the Heat
Whether from hot showers, curling irons, blow dryers, saunas, or the sun’s rays, heat can ruin your hair. Overly humid environments can also leave you with a bad hair day. Wear a hat when in the sun for extended periods, and avoid harsh treatments like bleaching, coloring, straightening, and curling unless performed by a professional.
5. Don’t Forget to Brush
Even the way you brush your hair can either lead to or prevent damage. First, don’t brush soaking wet hair, because it has expanded by up to 30%, making it more susceptible to knots and damage. Gently pat your hair dry with a towel as opposed to ferociously scrubbing it. And, start with a wide-toothed comb on damp hair. You should only brush your hair when it’s mostly dry, and start from the ends, working your way up to the root.
6. Sleep On It
High-thread-count cotton sheets are all the rage, but cotton is harsher on your hair than other materials. Silk pillowcases are gentler, won’t break or tug at your hair while you sleep, and won’t absorb away those natural oils as much as cotton ones do. Also, make brushing part of your bedtime ritual. A few very gentle strokes from root to tip will disperse the natural oils through your hair and support natural moisturizing while you sleep. If you have long hair, tie it loosely while you sleep to avoid bed-head breakage.
7. Laser Focus
Low-level laser light treatment (LLLT) has been reported to increase cell metabolism and the health of blood vessels in the scalp. Made in a variety of designs, from brushes and headbands to helmets and caps, LLLT devices emit a red light that produces no sensation but works by stimulating and energizing the cells within the follicle. These devices have been shown in double-blind placebo-controlled studies to be effective with over 90% of participants when used as directed.2
8. Get Your Head Examined
If you’re not pleased with your hair, the only way you can conclude with certainty which solution will work for you is to have an expert inspect what’s happening on the follicular level. A technology called TrichoView enables professionals to magnify your hair and scalp, to see what’s truly going on at a microscopic level and study your current state of hair health. In doing so, they can analyze density and hair diameter, and identify follicles that are weak or shutting down. Much like using a scale when dieting, regular check-ins can quantify your progress and keep you on track.
9. Hang Loose
While the man-bun has grown in popularity, tight hairstyles can lead to a condition known as Traction Alopecia, or hair loss caused by repeatedly pulling on your hair. Wearing your hair often in tight ponytails, buns, tight braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, or heavy weaves can all lead to Traction Alopecia. This condition may be reversible if you stop pulling your hair early enough.
10. Get Stimulation
Scalp massages stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles and also remove dead skin cells. They also increase the production of serotonin, a chemical in your body that improves your mood.3 Scalp massagers range from small and scrubby to power- operated, rechargeable, waterproof spas for pure cranial bliss.
Keeping your hair looking healthy and fuller is pretty straightforward once you understand what might be causing it to thin. First, it’s helpful to know the difference between thin and fine hair so you can pick the best hairstyles. Regular trims, using the right shampoo and conditioner, eating well, and not overdoing it with the heat are all really important. Also, be gentle when brushing, try using a silk pillowcase, and maybe look into low-level laser light therapy—it can really help. And if you’re ever unsure about anything, a hair loss specialist can give you personalized advice and solutions. With these simple steps, you can make your thin hair look thick in no time!
NOTE: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12673073
2 Results provided by manufacturers of the devices: Theradome: Proven to benefit >98% of participants that complied with laser hair treatment protocols. www.theradome.com. Hairmax: 90% success rate. www.hairmax.com. Capillus: Over 95% of active clinical study participants had increases in hair counts within 17 weeks. www.capillus.com.
3 Koyama, T, PhD, MD, et al. Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty. 2016; 16: e8. – Published online January 25, 2016.
