Try These Expert-Approved Tips for Thicker, Fuller Hair

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No matter your hair type or texture, strong, thick, healthy hair is usually the goal. If you’re wondering how to get thicker hair, you’re not alone. Whether you’re experiencing hair loss, breakage, or thinning hair, there are ways to get to the root of it all and achieve the luscious locks you’ve been looking for.

“The diameter of the hair shaft is what indicates whether you have thin or thick hair,” says Meena Singh, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at KMC Hair Center in Kansas City. “This is dictated by the size of your hair follicles which sits in the dermis layer of the skin (scalp),” she explains. So it is essential to take care of your scalp to grow thicker, healthier hair.

Your scalp is just the starting point. There are a few other ways to get thicker hair, some of which include altering your diet, adding specific OTC products, and looking into nutritional supplements.

Meet the experts: Meena Singh, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at KMC Hair Center in Kansas City; Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consultant trichologist of Philip Kingsley; Ona Diaz-Santin, celebrity hairstylist and CEO of 5 Salon & Spa

Experts note that many people experience thinning hair and hair loss due to various reasons like medical conditions, over-processing color, and aging. The most important thing to remember is that thin hair is normal, and if you’re searching for ways to make it thicker—we’ve got you covered.

1. Change your diet

“Healthy, thick hair growth depends largely on nutrition,” says Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consultant trichologist of Philip Kingsley. “This is because the hair is not an essential tissue. It is the last part of the body to receive nutrients and the first to be withheld from,” she explains. This means any nutritional deficiency, even a small one, can negatively impact your hair.

“When I get clients looking for ways to get thicker hair, I do a laboratory workup to see if they’re deficient in anything,” says Dr. Singh. “Most times, there are certain vitamins and minerals that patients are not getting enough of in their diets like iron, zinc, vitamin D, and B—which are all essential for growing thicker hair,” she says. The next time you go grocery shopping, aim to add foods and veggies packed with vitamins, minerals, and proteins like nuts, beef, sweet potatoes, poultry, quinoa, and broccoli.

2. Use gentle shampoos

When it comes to taking care of your hair, you’ll need to use specific products and techniques to encourage thicker growth. Regardless of the hair texture you have, you should wash your hair weekly, says Kingsley, suggesting “at least three times a week.” She says any less frequent and you could end up with an itchy scalp. “Washing your hair only once a week will likely lead to flaking and itching because the dead skin cells will accumulate on your scalp and become visible,” she explains.

“Reach for shampoos that are sulfate-free,” says Dr. Singh. Sulfates are surfactants that cause the sudsy and foamy lather you get while washing your hair with certain shampoos. While the formulas do work to remove dirt, they can also strip the hair of its natural oils and proteins, making the hair thinner.

“There are also volumizing shampoos and conditioners that can increase the perceived volume of the hair strand,” says Dr. Singh. “It works by expanding the hair shaft, but it’s important to note that it’s just a temporary fix,” she explains.

EverStrong Thickening Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner Kit

Densifique Bodifying Shampoo

Hair Care Kit System 3, Color Treated Hair with Normal to Light Thinning

Hinoki Shampoo

3. Dial back on heat use

This tip may be one you want to skip, but it’s a vital step in your journey to thicker and stronger strands. “If you’re dealing with thinning hair, you do not want to be using excessive heat,” says Ona Diaz-Santin, celebrity hairstylist and CEO of 5 Salon & Spa. Exposure to heat can cause damage to the hair by breaking the bonds in the strands, causing the hair to get weak and brittle. If you have to use heat, “coat your hair with a heat protectant first to prevent damage and opt for hair tools that use intelligent heat technology, which will minimize the damage,” explains Diaz-Santin.

4. Pay attention to your scalp

A healthy scalp translates to healthy hair. For this reason, Kingsley recommends using scalp-friendly haircare products. “Cleanse your scalp regularly and use a targeted mask once a week to address any concerns,” says Kingsley. Scalp masks can be soothing and exfoliating, and offer antimicrobial benefits to the scalp.

“Don’t go for a mask that seems to do everything—targeted is best as it means the active ingredients are found at a greater concentration within the formula,” she explains. “Also, go for a chemical rather than a physical scalp scrub—the latter can be too abrasive,” Kingsley adds.

T.L.C. Happi ScalpvScrub

Scalp and Skin Care Anti-Itch and Tension Relief

Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo

Trichotherapy

5. Find the right supplements

When you take an oral supplement, it is absorbed into the bloodstream where it nourishes all cells, including your hair follicles. “There are many nutraceutical supplements that work to decrease shedding hairs. They can also help strengthen some of the building blocks of the hair,” says Dr. Singh. She recommends looking for supplements that include ingredients like amino acids, collagen, vitamins, and minerals. “I like using minoxidil (an FDA-approved ingredient), which prolongs the growing phase of the hair cycle,” says Dr. Singh. “It’s available over-the-counter and as a prescription.”

It’s also important to note that dietary supplements aren’t regulated the same way as drugs are by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so it’s important to scan the ingredients carefully. Talk to your doctor before adding one to your routine ensure it won’t interact with any medications you’re taking.

Hair Supplement for Thinning Hair

Hair Growth Supplements

Hair Growth Capsules

6. Try hair oiling

By creating a healthier scalp environment, hair oiling may help encourage hair growth which may lead to thicker hair. “Hair oiling has tons of perks for your hair and scalp,” Mahogany Grace, a hairstylist and owner of Mahogany Grace Salon, previously told Prevention. “Using oils shields against heat damage, boosts strength, keeps it hydrated, fights frizz, promotes growth, and can act as a natural UV protector.”

To oil your hair, simply choose your favorite hair growth oil (such as those that contain coconut oil, argan oil, or jojoba oil, to name a few) and apply it to your hair and scalp before washing with shampoo.

Hair Growth Serum

Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

GRO Hair Serum for Thinning Hair

7. Stimulate hair follicles

Massaging your scalp may also promote hair growth and yield a thicker head of hair, Brendan Camp, M.D., F.A.A.D., double-board certified dermatologist previously explained. You can try out scalp massaging “manually or with a scalp massaging tool, to stimulate increased blood flow and improve relaxation,” Dr. Camp said. “Massage may improve oxygen flow to hair follicles and can limit oxidative stress.”

While there may not be enough scientific evidence to say for certain that scalp massage will promote substantial hair growth, a 2016 study in Japan found that using a scalp massager for four minutes a day helped to increase hair thickness in just six months. Again, more research needs to be done for a definitive answer.

Scalp Revival™ Stimulating Therapy Massager

Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

8. Reduce stress

If you’re going through a particularly stressful time, you may notice increased hair shedding and thinner hair. This can be due to a temporary condition called telogen effluvium, which causes large amounts of hair to shed each day and can be triggered by several things, including extreme stress. “High-stress environments prevent the body from giving hair the TLC that it needs, causing hair to shed and fall out,” Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City previously explained.

Luckily, there are effective ways to reduce stress, like exercising, practicing mindfulness, staying social, improving your sleep routine, and more. Try checking out these tips to relieve stress and ease worries for more ideas.

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