Thick and voluminous hair is something you have been striving for all your life. In this attempt, you have invested in more than a dozen hair care products, ranging from oils to shampoos to serums and masks. But you still haven’t found a way that is actually effective?
Before looking for treatments, understand the science behind the thickness of your hair. Healthy hair can follow.
What Is Thick Hair Exactly?
Thick hair refers to the density of hair and the number of hair follicles [1]. It is often mistaken for coarse hair.
Coarse hair implies the circumference of each hair strand. To put it simply, the fullness of your ponytail tells how thick your hair is. The average thickness of human hair is 0.003-0.005 inches [2]. Anything below this standard is considered thin hair, while anything above it is considered thick hair.
Possible Causes For Thin Hair
Thinning hair could be a result of
Genetics
Aging
Poor diet
Harsh hair products
Chemicals
Medical conditions
How well do you know your hair? Take this hair quiz to understand your hair type and its unique requirements.
How Do You Get Thicker Hair?
1. Products
A. Shampoos and conditioners
Pick thickening or volumizing shampoos and conditioners if you want thick hair. These products do not contain ingredients that weigh your hair down.
Oil-control ingredients – to limit sebum [3] production so as to not make the hair fall flat.
Polymers [4] – to coat hair fibre and lift them away.
Starch or talc – to improve volume.
Surfactants [5] – to cleanse without leaving a residue.
Linseed oil, vitamin E, plant essences, fruit essences, zinc and biotin are common ingredients to look for in these products.
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B. Sprays
There are volumizing sprays for your hair. You can choose such products based on your personal preferences like cruelty-free, vegan and sulfate-free.
The sprays give texture and volume to otherwise thin strands. They also prevent humidity and keep your locks frizz free. These contain volumizing ingredients, polymers, panthenol, vitamin E and the likes.
C. Serums
You could use a serum to plump up thin hair. Serum has potent ingredients that are targeted at your hair. Volumizing serums contain plant extracts like sunflower extracts, vitamin E, ceramides and oils like jojoba and almond oil.
2. Oils
A. Castor oil
Many people keep a distance from castor oil because of its thick consistency. But did you know that castor oil can make your hair thick? Yes, castor oil is rich in vitamin E that helps in hair health. Apply castor oil evenly on your scalp and hair. Wash with your regular shampoo after 30 minutes.
B. Olive oil
Olive oil is literally magic in a bottle. It is a powerhouse of omega3 acids needed for hair health. Bonus point? Olive oil has a moisturizing effect on your hair making them look smooth and shiny.
Apply warm olive oil on your scalp and hair. Wash with a mild shampoo after 30 min. You may want to leave the olive oil overnight using a shower cap.
3. Hair Masks
A. Egg mask
We can’t stress enough on how proteinaceous eggs are and protein is essential for healthy hair. To get the most out of eggs for thick hair, beat 1 or 2 eggs. Apply the mixture on the scalp and damp hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and your regular shampoo.
B. Banana mask
Banana contains minerals that help in the synthesis of collagen and make your hair thicker and stronger. Mash one ripe banana and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply it all over your hair using a brush. Wash after 20 minutes with your regular shampoo and conditioner.
4. Herbs
A. Aloe vera
Aloe vera has gained immense popularity in the last decade for its lasting benefits on the skin, scalp and hair [6]. You can cut open an aloe stem to use the gel or buy products containing aloe vera. Try combining fresh aloe vera gel with coconut oil or olive oil and let it sit on your hair for 30 minutes.
B. Methi
This one’s our personal favourite and something that we’ve been doing for ages now. Soak fenugreek seeds in water overnight. Grind to make a fine paste and mix 2 tablespoons of curd or castor oil.
Apply this methi mask on your scalp and hair. Wash with a mild shampoo after 30 minutes. Methi or fenugreek is known to thicken hair, curb dandruff, improve shine and provide moisture to the hair.
5. Diet
A. Foods
Balanced diet containing good fats and protein prevents hair thinning. Consuming foods like fish, eggs, walnuts, almonds, yogurt, beans and green leafy vegetables help in thickening hair.
B. Supplements
Your body needs a lot of nutrients in trace amounts. When your diet is not helping, turn to supplements. Choose vitamin B5, B12, A, iron, zinc and biotin [7] for thick hair.
6. Spa/Salon Treatments
With regular hair spas at professional salons, you will notice visibly thicker and shinier hair. Hair spas improve blood circulation and unclog the pores in your scalp to make absorption of nutrients better.
It also deep conditions your hair and balances oil production on the scalp. Talk to your hairstylist about the best hair spa treatment for your hair type. You can also do a hair spa at home with homemade ingredients.
Tips For Achieving Thick Hair
1. Cut Hair To Shoulder length
If you have thin hair, longer hair makes it look even thinner. Get a haircut that is upto shoulder length or even shorter. This gives an illusion that your hair is thicker.
2. Eat Right
Load up on nuts, salmon, eggs, vegetables, fruits, good fats like olive oil for thick and healthy hair.
3. Wash Hair Properly
Product buildup and chemical dyes can be taken care of with proper washing of hair. Here’s how to wash your hair:
Use lukewarm water to wet your scalp and hair.
Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and hair (Remember to dilute your shampoo in water).
After the first round of shampooing, rinse with cold water and repeat the second round.
Rinse well and apply conditioner.
Wash after 3-5 minutes to get rid of all the conditioner.
Use a soft T-shirt to dry your hair and finish off with a serum.
4. Use Ceramic Brush
The ceramic plating distributes heat in the hair while the round shape of the brush adds dimension to the hair strands.
How Do You Know If You Have Thick Hair?
You can understand the thickness of your hair with a simple trick. Pluck your hair strand and compare it with a sewing thread. If it measures similar to the thickness of sewing thread, your hair is considered to be thick.
Can Thin Hair Become Thick Again?
If you have genetically thin hair, you really can’t do much about it. But if your hair thinning is a result of poor diet, harsh hair care and chemicals, you can adopt all the above ways to make your hair grow thicker. Regardless of the thickness, learn to appreciate everything natural that god has given you.
Is Thick Hair Healthier Than Thin Hair?
Hair thinning caused due to external factors is certainly not a sign of healthy hair. Thick hair is visually appealing when compared to thin hair. But if you have genetically thin hair, you do not need to worry about hair health.
Wrapping Up
While you can’t magically change your hair follicles, with all the above methods you can certainly make your hair appear thicker and healthier. If you are allergic to any of the above mentioned ingredients, avoid using them. If you experience sudden hair loss or thinning, an underlying condition may be the cause. Please seek medical help.
