Not everyone is naturally blessed with full, thick voluminous hair. Some people are born with thin hair, and sadly, hair follicles become thinner over time. No matter the reason, there are things that can be done to make the hair appear much more thick and healthy.
To improve the quality, look and feel of hair, follow the tips below.
- PAY ATTENTION TO THE INGREDIENTS IN SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Those who prefer the ‘work with what you have approach,’ being aware of what makes up shampoos and conditioners can be the best place to start to improve hair health.
For sufferers of thin hair, there are two ingredients worth looking out for. The first is silicon. It is very common to find silicon in hair care products, no matter the price point. This is because it makes the hair appear too hydrated and softened.
However, silicone is actually very damaging for hair, as celebrity hairstylist Shai Ameil describes: ‘Silicone will weigh the hair down, making it limp, lifeless, and, with time, very dull. It prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft and becomes like a magnet for dirt and other ingredients. So in essence, we get a good shine for a couple of days, but over time it will attract more buildup on the hair. With time it will dry the hair out because it won’t allow in the conditioner and it ends up sitting on the surface. Due to the lack of moisture, the hair will become very brittle and could lead to frizz and breakage.’
Silicone is not actually one specific ingredient but is a name applied for a group of chemicals that all have the same effect. To make sure that hair care products don’t contain these substances look at the ingredients list on the bottle, any word that ends with ‘cone’ is likely to be silicone-based.
- PICK A HAIRCUT TO HELP THE HAIR
Getting regular haircuts is an essential step for gaining thickness, as it will avoid the build-up of split ends.
Opting for a haircut that is shoulder length or shorter is also a great way to make the hair appear thicker. Fine hair is not well suited to longer styles as the weight of these has the tendency to look stringy as the weight is weighing it down. Choosing a shorter, blunt haircut can really help avoid this problem.
- TREAT HAIR GENTLY
For people with thinner hair, it is even more important to pay attention to how brushing can affect the hair over time. It is really worth trying to be gentle when trying to untangle strands of hair. Using a soft brush or a wide-tooth comb is preferable to the harsher alternatives. It is also suggested to avoid brushing hair straight after the shower, as wet hair is more prone to damage.
- KEEP HAIR HEALTHY
One of the most damaging things that people do regularly is using heat products on their hair. This is bad as it is almost impossible to improve the health of hair if it is constantly being damaged from heat products. Try to avoid using styling products as much as possible and if you really need to, use a heat protection spray beforehand.
- THINK ABOUT DIET
Just like any other part of the body, the health of hair is greatly affected by what is put into the body. For those who don’t feel their diet provides them with the needed nutrients for healthy hair consider taking hair supplements to get in those extra vitamins.
If hair loss is a concern there are ways to combat this through diet. Iron-rich foods such as red meat, spinach and soya are viewed as beneficial to hair loss consider a more iron-rich diet. Zine and protein foodstuff are also said to be valuable to those with thinner hair.
- CONSIDER A HAIR TRANSPLANT
For those who feel the damage to their hair is irreparable, or who are experiencing hair loss, a hair transplant could be the way forward. Hair loss is commonly linked to loss of confidence and so a procedure such as this could be a very helpful solution to such a situation.
- USE DRY SHAMPOO TO ADD VOLUME
Not only can dry shampoo help hair appear cleaner, but spraying it along the roots can really give add volume. Be sure to put the dry shampoo in before bedtime.
- STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH AT HOME
Probably the cheapest way of getting thicker hair is by massaging or tapping the scalp. Tapping or massaging the scalp in the shower encourages blood flow which in turn creates more active growth.