Thickness and volume are pretty much what everyone desires for their hair. Unruly hair is easy to rectify with the right styling products, but building up volume and a thick texture takes much longer and needs a multi-pronged attack. When it comes to hair, more is more. And don't we know it: we've seen a huge increase in the number of products launched to achieve just that—thicker hair.
There are many factors that contribute to the health of your hair and hair loss—and stress and a poor diet are just two of them. Here is Vogue's guide to getting healthy, thicker hair fast.
What causes hair thinning?
Aside from genetics, there are a number of factors that can contribute to thinning hair.
Stress: Losing hair is the body's response to any undue stress placed on the body, mind and one's emotional state. While hair loss isn't usually permanent—it often goes on for about six months—it can feel like a lifetime. The solution? Self-care. Get plenty of rest, take a break and eat a Vitamin B-rich diet packed with whole grains, good proteins and leafy green vegetables. Over-styling and over-colouring your hair: Heat-styling and over-dyeing your hair are the major culprits when it comes to hair loss. Bleach-laden colouring agents will strip the hair's fibres, leaving it frazzled and weakening the roots. Taking a break from hair colour is the ultimate answer, but if this is not possible, opt for a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner, and try to settle for non-permanent dyes. Regularly use an overnight mask to nourish the hair. Hormonal changes and your hair: Hair can quickly become thinner when hormone levels are out of sync. An imbalanced thyroid, in particular, can leave the skin unsettled and prone to breakouts—its effect on the hair is no different. Major hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy or the menopause, tend to lead to a change in hair thickness. If your hair suddenly seems much thinner, seek medical advice.
How can you thicken hair with products?
There are numerous types of thickening shampoos and conditioners available, but the best ones really get to the root of the problem by stripping away any excess oil or product from the hair. The cleaner the hair, the less weighed down it will be, leaving the roots lifted and hair looking more abundant and lush. Vogue recommends Nanogen Thickening Hair Treatment Shampoo or the Aveda Invati range.
A ceramic-barrel brush is the best option for hair. Do not, under any circumstances, brush the hair until it is at least half dry. This will avoid any static and breakage on the hair fibres, leaving it shiny and glossy with body.
Include a root-lifter in your styling routine, and try using a little dry shampoo. The powdery finish gives hair a bit of hold at the top, lending you extra body from the scalp down.
How to make your hair thicker with diet
The top ingredients to look for when it comes to hair thickening are keratin, the amino acid L-lysine, soya protein, iron, Vitamins B12, D3 and C.
Plenty of lean proteins—like white fish, pulses, chicken—for growth, leafy greens for iron, whole grains for biotin, and carrots for Vitamin A.
How to cut your hair to make it look thicker
Blunt edges immediately give hair the appearance of volume and thickness. A sweeping fringe can also work wonders in disguising any thinning areas around the crown.
When it comes to colour, multi-faceted tones will instantly give depth and an illusion of thickness. Avoid anything too light as this can make hair look thin.
Trichologist Anabel Kingsley says, “Thickening, strengthening protein sprays can also be helpful. They immediately add volume to the hair, giving an instant boost. They also strengthen the hair over time, which helps to reduce hair fall as the result of breakage. While breakage is not true loss from the follicle, it can thin the appearance of the mid-lengths and ends.”
Percy & Reed founder and hairstylist Adam Reed adds: “Try not to rough dry the hair, as this can take the life out of it before you have even started—towel-dry hair as best as possible and then dry the hair from damp to dry.”
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