Whether you were born with thinning hair, are experiencing temporary hair loss, or are experiencing long-term thinning, it’s only natural to want to grow your hair thicker. After all, a lush, shiny mane is the perfect accessory. While there are no quick shortcuts or foolproof “hacks” to get thicker hair immediately, there are steps you can take to get healthier, fuller hair over time.
Here are some science-based techniques that you can use in your daily life to help your hair grow naturally thicker.
Prioritize balanced nutrition
Maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. A good diet can also help your skin look vibrant and naturally help your hair and nails grow.
“Many nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss and breakage,” notes Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Medicinals.
He adds that if the problem persists, you may need to seek professional advice. “Doctors and dermatologists look at iron levels, vitamin D, thyroid studies and other medical data points to make sure we’re not missing any internal causes of thinning or weakened hair,” he says.
Give yourself a scalp massage
It sounds too good to be true, but there’s scientific evidence that tells us scalp massage can help promote natural hair growth.
“Massaging the scalp increases blood flow, which helps produce healthy hair,” explains Akis Ntonos, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Aion Aesthetic in New York City. “It also causes the hair follicles themselves to stretch, making the hair thicker.”
Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips in circular motions when washing your hair or before showering. You can also try using a scalp massage tool.
Protect your hair and scalp from the sun
You know that intense sun rays can wreak havoc on your skin, but studies show it can also damage your hair and scalp.
“UV light triggers free radicals in the hair shaft, which break down the bonding network. This causes hair thinning, breakage and fading,” explains Michael Van Clark, London hairstylist and founder of 3 More Inches Haircare. “When you’re in the sun, cover your hair with a hat, scarf or effective sun protection product.”
Stress Reduction
We’re sure you’re no stranger to dealing with feelings of stress. Did you know that being under constant high levels of stress can actually affect your hair growth?
“As stress increases, your cortisol levels increase, which can lead to long-term hair loss,” explains Dr. Bhanusali. “More seriously, there’s a condition called resting hair loss this is associated with stressful events such as surgery, trauma, pregnancy, breakups, loss of loved ones and other distressing events.”
Fortunately, it’s a temporary problem, but it can take months or even years for your hair to return to its normal, full state. The sooner you can identify the stress trigger and (if possible) eliminate it, the better.
Watch out for heat styling
Heat styling is notoriously damaging to hair, says Van Clarke: “[Over] heat styling can lead to dehydration, which weakens the molecular structure. Bonds break and hair thins.”
If you have thinning hair or hair that is already fine, reduce the frequency of using heat styling tools. It’s also important to use heat protection products, which can protect your hair from some damage when you decide to heat style.
Maintaining healthy scalp moisture
Growing thick, healthy hair isn’t just about being careful with the hair you have now, says Dr. Ntonos. It’s also about setting the stage for hair to come in. Maintaining a healthy moisture level in your scalp is one of the best things you can do.
Dr. Ntonos advises, “Avoid over-washing, using shampoos with a lot of sulfates, overusing dry shampoos or turning a hot hair dryer on your skin to avoid drying out your scalp.” Likewise, prioritize scalp health by nourishing scalp treatments and make sure product buildup is thoroughly removed.