How To Get Thicker Hair: 12 Best Tips For Lush Locks
We get right into the thick of it.
In this article
We've all been there. You're standing in front of the mirror, parting your hair just the way you like it and then you spot it—a thinning patch. It’s subtle, but it’s there. It's frustrating to realize that despite our best efforts, sometimes our hair won’t cooperate. You want to scream, "How do I get thicker hair!" And you're not alone.
According to a 2015 article in the International Journal of Trichology, hair experts consistently emphasize the importance of proper hydration. I don’t mean just using hydrating hair products, but drinking more water, too. A hydrated body helps strengthen your strands, increasing growth.
Repeated chemical treatments, grooming habits, and environmental exposure can contribute to hair thinning, which can lead to breakage, tangling, and frizzing—a phenomenon called “weathering”—should be kept to a minimum.
The good news: You can fight back and get thick hair again. And not with some temporary solution or fancy, overpriced product. I'm talking about genuine, long-lasting solutions. Let's dive into the thick of it with these 12 tips!
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1. Eat Foods for Thicker Hair
The best approach to getting thicker hair starts with your diet. It's no secret what you put into your body has a direct impact on your hair’s health. Many of us know that eating a healthy diet helps, but what foods can lead to healthy hair?
Lean Protein: Hair is primarily made up of protein, so a protein-rich diet is a surefire way to contribute to its health. Think chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs. Plant-based? No worries—lentils, chickpeas, and quinoa are excellent sources too.
Good fats: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for a healthy scalp. An unhealthy scalp can lead to excessive hair shedding. These fatty acids are abundant in fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Plant-based? Flaxseeds and chia seeds are rich in Omega-3s too.
Vitamin E: Almonds, avocados, and spinach are packed with Vitamin E, known for its potent antioxidant properties. And while we're on the subject of avocados, did you know that avocado hair oil is a fabulous treatment for enhancing hair texture?
Cinnamon: Want to add some spice to your life and your hair? Cinnamon is a fantastic blood flow stimulant. Improved circulation nourishes hair follicles, leading to stronger, thicker hair.
Read Next: Why My Once Thick, Curly Hair Is Now Thinning
2. Know which ingredients work best
Looking to revive dead hair? Try going back to nature.
Coconut Oil: A favorite of many, coconut oil is renowned for its deep conditioning properties. Its fatty acids penetrate the hair cuticles, ensuring less breakage and more hydration.
Castor Oil: An unsung hero in the world of hair growth, castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid. This acid improves blood circulation to your hair follicles, promoting growth and results in thicker hair.
Almond Hair Oil: If you're battling excessive hair shedding, this might be your weapon of choice. Almond hair oil is a powerhouse of Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant that combats hair loss.
Peppermint and Tea Tree Hair Oils: These aren’t just refreshing for your scalp; they can be a game-changer if you have an unhealthy scalp. Their antimicrobial properties ward off scalp infections, creating an ideal environment for hair growth.
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3. Heat style the right way for healthy hair
Our desire to style and manage our hair, sometimes to fit the latest fashion trend, can inadvertently cause harm. For anyone wondering how to get thicker hair, tread carefully here.
Heat Protectant Spray: The secret to mastering healthy heat styling is prepping your strands. A heat protectant spray helps prevent damage and breakage from repeated styling and combats dryness and split ends!
The Pantene Pro-V Heat Primer is a great drugstore option, but if you’re willing to spend more, Ouai’s No. 7 Bonding Oil tames flyaways and frizzy strands while offering next-level heat protection.
Hair Straighteners: They give you that sleek, stylish look, but overuse or incorrect use can result in hair straighteners damaging hair. Opt for flat irons with customizable heat settings and ceramic or titanium plates for even heat distribution, like Revlon’s Salon Straight Copper and Ceramic Flat Iron or the BaByliss Nano Titanium Prima Iconic Straightener!
Curling Iron: Like hair straighteners, using a curling iron on a high heat level or leaving it on your hair for too long can result in hair damage. To reduce the effects, use a curling iron suitable for your hair length.
For professional results that will last all day, Conair’s Double Ceramic Curling Iron is one of our go-tos! It comes in multiple barrel sizes—0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.5—has 30 heat settings, and is affordable.
Blow-drying: You might be in a hurry, but blasting your hair with high heat can lead to weakened hair cuticles. Try to use a moderate temperature and distance the dryer about 6 inches from your hair.
We love the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer because it has three hot and cool settings so you can change the intensity, based on how wet your locks are.
Colouring: Is colouring your hair safe? It's a mixed bag. While it can provide a refreshing change and boost confidence, repeated coloring (especially bleaching) can lead to hair thinning.
Opt for ammonia-free dyes and ensure you're giving your hair the aftercare it needs, like using a repairing hair mask or a DIY leave-in conditioner to keep it moisturized.
Read Next: Unhealthy Scalp Can Lead to Thinning Hair: Here's How
4. Don’t forget your scalp
The quest on how to get thicker hair starts at the roots. Just as a plant needs fertile soil to grow strong, your hair requires a healthy scalp to flourish. When you treat your scalp with care and attention, you set the stage for thicker, fuller hair. Check out what you can’t forget on how to wash your hair properly!
Scalp Massage: Did you know a simple scalp massage can stimulate blood flow, nourish hair follicles, and promote hair growth? Just a few minutes daily can make a world of difference.
Hard Water: It's a silent hair villain. Hard water can cause hair loss because it often contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which can lead to build-up on your scalp and weaken your hair. Consider a natural hard water hair treatment if you're in a hard water area.
Sebum Control: Achieving a balanced scalp means it’s neither too dry nor too oily. While moisturizing is essential, it’s equally important to treat sebum overproduction which can clog hair follicles and stifle growth.
Sun Protection: Just as our skin needs protection from harmful UV rays, so does our scalp. Hats or specific hair products with SPF can shield your hair and scalp, maintaining its health.
Natural Scalp Treatments: Consider a DIY deep conditioning treatment or harnessing the benefits of hair loss home remedies. Natural ingredients can rebalance, rejuvenate, and fortify the scalp.
Silk Pillowcases: If you’re looking to keep your scalp and hair nourished the whole night, our silk pillowcase will be your new go-to. Made specifically for dry, damaged hair, the smooth surface minimizes tangles and helps makes your hair look smooth and fresh the next day.
Read Next: 10 Scalp Health and Hair Growth Tips You Can Do at Home
5. When in a rush, use quality hair extensions
Confidence often means flaunting that thick, lustrous mane. And while you're taking steps on how to get thicker hair naturally, there's no harm in seeking a little instant gratification with hair extensions for fine hair.
Look for extensions made from 100% Remy hair. These extensions not only blend seamlessly but also last longer, giving you value for your money.
Sitting Pretty Halo Hair Extensions embody quality and luxury. Crafted with the finest Remy hair, they instantly add volume without causing stress or damage to your natural hair. The best part? They're perfect for those with thin hair, giving the illusion of thick, long layered hair.
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6. Try some supplements for thick hair growth
Supplements might just be your new best friends. When it comes to hair health, sometimes our diets fall short in providing all the necessary nutrients our hair craves.
First, biotin. It's almost synonymous with hair growth. Known for promoting longer, thicker hair, this B-vitamin supports the health of our scalp by producing glucose and breaking down proteins into amino acids.
Vitamin E oil benefits for hair are pretty significant. Not only does it repair damaged hair follicles but it also encourages healthy hair growth. And if you're not a fan of oils, guess what? Vitamin E supplements are readily available too.
Meanwhile, silica, a lesser-known mineral, has a powerful role to play. The benefits of silica for hair growth are impressive, as it strengthens hair and prevents thinning.
Of course, let's not forget the role of aloe vera for hair regrowth. It's a natural wonder, balancing the pH levels of the scalp and promoting a healthy hair environment.
Although these supplements sound promising for those desiring thick hair, remember to check with a healthcare professional first.
Read Next: The Best Scalp Massage for Hair Growth
7. Choose the right shampoo and conditioner
The secret to how to get thicker hair can often be found in your bathroom. Selecting a suitable shampoo and conditioner is pivotal in your quest for thicker, more voluptuous locks.
For starters, consider shampoos for fine hair or anti-hair fall. These shampoos are formulated to give volume, shine, and, most importantly, strength to your strands so they won’t easily break off or split.
On the flip side, be cautious of products full with harsh chemicals like sulfates. These can strip your hair of essential oils, leading to breakage and reduced thickness.
For all you crafty souls out there, why not whip up a hydrating DIY hair mask? Simple ingredients like egg (amazing for protein), aloe vera, and even our trusty vitamin E oil can be combined for effective pre-wash hair treatments. The hair treatment with egg, especially, is an age-old remedy for lustrous, thick hair.
But hey, sometimes, you’re just not in the mood to play chemist. Make sure to do a little research, read some reviews, and even test out a few samples before committing to a full-sized product.
Read Next: The Pre-Wash Hair Oil Treatments Guide To Hair Growth
8. Worry Less
Did you know stress impacts your hair health? And when you're stressing about how to get thicker hair, it becomes a vicious cycle. Studies have shown stress and hair loss are intricately linked.
Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to conditions like Telogen effluvium, which results in thinning hair primarily on the top of the scalp. It’s one of the common causes of hair loss in women. This condition is usually temporary, but the duration varies from person to person.
As much as we try to thicken hair naturally with products and treatments, the issue might be more holistic, requiring lifestyle changes such as incorporating meditation for hair growth.
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9. Take care of your gut
Did you know our digestive system, or more specifically our gut health, affects our hair? It's a connection few people know. An unhealthy gut can contribute to inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, and stress—all factors that can influence hair health and how it grows.
To combat this, add prebiotic-rich foods to your meals like kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir.
Read Next: Scalp Bacteria: Is It Good or Bad For Hair Growth?
10. Invest in red light therapy
Red light therapy for hair growth is emerging as an effective tool. By promoting better blood flow and invigorating hair follicles, this technique offers promise for those seeking thick, lush hair. Red light is not only good for your hair but for your skin, too!
If you want to hit two birds with one stone, invest in an LED light face mask or device, like the TheraFace LED. It’s a massage tool that emits different LED lights to target specific hair and skin concerns.
Read Next: 15 Facts About Hair Growth You Need To Know
11. Try salicylic acid to address oily hair
Detoxing your hair frees it from accumulated pollutants, oils, and products. This not only rejuvenates your scalp but can lead to thicker hair growth.
Use The INKEY List’s Salicylic Acid Scalp Exfoliating Treatment once a week as a pre-shampoo to get rid of dead skin and product build up that could be blocking new hair growth.
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12. Embrace rosemary oil
From the wonders of rosemary hair oil benefits to the solutions on how to cure a dry scalp, nature offers a plethora of answers. A few drops massaged into the scalp regularly can pave the way for thicker hair and also address common causes of hair loss in women.
Read Next: Our Round Up Of The Best Hair Growth Products For Rapid Results
Do genes affect your ability to get thicker hair?
Yes, but modern research suggests there's more to the story than just DNA.
The structure of your hair is determined at the cellular level. The key to thick, long, layered hair is often found in the health of your hair follicles and the cells that make up your strands.
For instance, vitamin deficiencies can lead to hair loss, affecting both the scalp and the hair cuticles. This is crucial because hair cuticles that are weak, thin, or even absent can result in hair that's prone to breakage.
So there you have it. You're not just growing hair, you're cultivating a healthier, more confident you, equipped with the knowledge and techniques to flaunt not just more, but better, luscious, and thicker hair!
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