Want Lucious Locks? Here’s How to Get Thicker Hair

Nearly everyone wants a thicker head of hair — the level of volume it can achieve and the number of styles are endless. Thinner hair is perfectly natural and beautiful, but improper nutrition or an unhealthy scalp could be causing it. Those who once had a lot of hair and are wondering where it all went are likely asking themselves how to get thicker hair to replenish those large locks.

Having thick hair can help unleash a person’s inner stylist. It can accomplish a lot, but one needs to have it in the first place to start trying out everything their strands can do. Curious about how to get thicker hair? Whether it’s naturally or with a few products, a few tricks might just do the job. Every hair profile is different, so test these tips and see if they work for a unique scalp.

Which Products Can Help Thicken Hair?

Hair products can get pretty pricey and offer big promises. No one wants to spend $70 on an item that promises it’ll thicken their hair in two weeks, only to have been using it for three months and get no results. What are some proven ways to achieve thicker hair? Here is a quick list of tips.

1. Start With a Thickening Shampoo

Adding a thickening shampoo to the shower regimen is a great way to start getting thicker hair. However, it’s vital to note that any product promising thicker hair will create the appearance of wider strands and more volume. Those who have had thin hair all their life cannot change the diameter of their hair, as it’s genetic. Additionally, hair naturally changes over time.

But that doesn’t mean a thickening shampoo does nothing. A good one will either swell the strands so they appear thicker or nourish the scalp to produce healthier locks. Be sure to look at the ingredients — ones with biotin, collagen, keratin, B vitamins and tea tree oil will likely help out hair the most. Rosemary oil and no sulfates are more green flags on the ingredients list.

2. Try a Hair Oil

Adding oil to hair sounds like something those with thinner hair want to avoid. Fine strands tend to accrue natural oil faster, leading people to shampoo their hair multiple times a week. However, oil can do a lot for hair and repeatedly stripping it will only lead to damage. Doing so in turn thins the hair because the scalp lacks nourishment and the hair becomes brittle.

Instead, try adding oil to thin locks and see how it works — as stated before, every scalp will have different needs. Coconut oil is a popular product because it naturally has the proteins and fats hair loves, but there are also plenty of hair-thickening oils available at beauty stores. But always shampoo the oil out because it can block hair follicles and sunlight will reheat the oil, further damaging hair. Give the scalp a good massage while oiling and washing to increase blood flow, growth and strength.

3. Get a Scalp Exfoliant

Whether a hair type is naturally oily or the person starts oiling their hair for better growth, exfoliating the scalp is a must. It helps remove that product buildup that could clog hair follicles and inhibit growth. Using an exfoliator to get rid of all that dryness and oil could be the key to healthier hair. Just be sure not to exfoliate more than twice a week — doing so could encourage more flakiness or cause damage.

Several scalp-exfoliant products are available. Some are physical, such as the small, spiky brushes that have recently become popular among beauty fanatics. There are also scrubs available — use them as a replacement for shampoo once a week to eliminate anything that could be building up on the scalp. Those with very oily hair could also turn to chemical exfoliants to break down that natural oil thoroughly. Just remember to listen to the body and observe if these products are doing more harm than good. Beauty is not pain.

Can I Get Thicker Hair Naturally?

Don’t feel like taking a trip to the beauty store and would rather swing by the grocery store? Look no further. Here are a few holistic tricks on how to get thicker hair the natural way.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

There are many aspects to a meal plan that encourages thick strands. It’s necessary to incorporate foods high in antioxidants, vitamins, protein, iron and silica. Throwing in some extra omega-3s won’t hurt, either. As much as adding products containing these to the hair and scalp will help, directly ingesting them will help even more.

Eggs, mangoes, berries, figs and flax seeds are just a few foods high in the ingredients necessary for thicker hair. A spinach, salmon and avocado salad sounds like a delicious way to absorb plenty of vitamins, omega-3s, folic acid, potassium and folate. Those who want to encourage healthier hair may only need to look as far as their diet to spruce up their locks.

2. Use an Egg Mask

Adding eggs to the hair probably sounds less appealing than adding oil, but they make an excellent mask for thickening hair. Eggs are incredibly high in protein, which hair loves. For a basic treatment, simply beat one egg — or two, for those who have a lot of hair — until frothy and massage it into the hair. Leave it for around half an hour and take to the shower to shampoo it out.

However, including more ingredients with the eggs can also be beneficial. Olive oil has plenty of omega-3s, while rosemary oil is great for thickening and growth. Aloe can also do wonders for the scalp and strands. Try adding a few nourishing ingredients to the beaten eggs to make an even healthier mask.

3. Do Regular Scalp Massages

There’s no need to take a trip to the spa to get a relaxing massage. Working the scalp not only feels indulgent, but it has plenty of benefits for the hair. One natural way to help locks grow strong is to increase blood flow to the scalp, which massaging does. This helps bring more oxygen and all the hair-healthy nutrients from food up and facilitates thicker hair.

To do a scalp massage, just take the pads of the fingers and press them to the scalp in circular motions. Work the treatment all around the head for as long as feels comfortable. Unlike exfoliating, there is no limit on how many massages to do per week — doing them daily is perfectly fine.

What Causes Hair to Thin?

If you want to thicken your hair, it may help to know why you’re experiencing thinning hair. While some people have naturally thin and fine hair, others lose hair over time for a variety of reasons. Here are some possible causes for which you may need professional guidance:

• Genetics
• Age
• Alopecia
• Cancer treatment
• Stress
• Hormonal imbalances
• Illness

If none of those conditions applies to you, your hair loss may be caused by your hair care practices. Tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns can pull at your scalp and cause hair to thin. You may also have a reaction to certain hair products. Be sure to read ingredients and reviews to find hair products that are safe to use.

Can Lifestyle Contribute to Hair Loss?

As listed above, there are many factors that can lead to thinning hair. While some are medical issues, others may have more to do with your lifestyle. If you have a stressful job or home life, that can affect your hair health. People who have jobs or hobbies that require strict hairstyles — such as dancers, law enforcement, military or athletes — often have trouble with hair thickness.

Want Thick, Healthy Hair? Try These Methods

Achieving thicker hair is no secret — anyone can do it with a little help. Trying out some products and routines or changing up meals can lead to stronger and faster hair growth. Just remember that the diameter of the strands won’t change, but they and the follicles will swell to produce thicker locks with the proper treatment.