Many of us aren’t lucky enough to have naturally thick hair or experience hair loss during our lifetime. If this sounds like you, you might be interested in giving your locks a helping hand.
There are some great low-cost techniques for thickening the appearance your hair, from tweaking the way you nourish your body to smart styling and brushing techniques. Here we’ll look at some of the best ways to get thicker hair so you can enjoy the mane of your dreams.
What causes thinning hair?
People lose 100 hairs a day on average.1 This shedding accounts for hairs that come away in your brush, shower, on your pillow, and elsewhere. You might not notice this when it comes to the thickness of your hair, because new strands are growing at the same time.
When we talk about hair loss, we refer to the disruption of this regular cycle. The hair follicle can also be destroyed and replaced with scar tissue,2 which means no new hair can grow. There are a few reasons for hair loss if this kind.
- Family history (male or female-pattern baldness)
- Hormonal changes
- Medical conditions
- Medications and supplements
- Radiation therapy
- Stress
- Some hairstyles and treatments
How to get thicker hair
Here are some of the things you might like to try to thicken the appearance of your hair.
Eat well
You’ll need to include plenty of healthy fats in your diet if you’re going to maintain thick and healthy hair.3 Foods like salmon, avocados, nuts, fruit, and vegetables are full of critical nutrients we need for healthy hair. The cells in hair follicles have a high turnover rate but require the right nutrient supply to achieve this.4
Meals and snacks which are high in protein, vitamins, and good fats are excellent for your hair as well as your skin and health overall.
Use the right products
With so many hair care products on the market, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Look for products containing vitamins and minerals which can help stimulate keratin production. Keratin is an essential protein for hair growth. Ingredients like zinc, copper, iron, vitamin E, and vitamin B5 are present in lots of shampoos and conditioning treatments.5 These can help boost the thickness of your hair.
Try supplements
Lots of supplements claim to improve hair thickness, but which of these are worth trying? Look for a hair-stimulating multivitamin containing things like biotin zinc and selenium as they all contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.
Avoid heat styling
It should come as no surprise that excessive heat styling can damage your hair and cause split ends. If you want to achieve thicker, healthier hair, you’ll need to be mindful of how often you pick up the dryer or curling iron. If you can’t ditch your tools, be sure to use a heat protection spray every time.
Last updated: 9 June 2020
Sources
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
3 https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a574/hair-tips-1010/
4 https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/thick-hair.html
5 https://www.redken.com/blog/haircare/13-easy-tips-on-how-to-get-thicker-hair
