When you search online for ways to get thicker hair, you might come across some quirky home remedies—like slathering your hair in mayonnaise, cracking an egg on your head in the shower, or rinsing your locks with beer.
While DIY solutions have their charm, why not focus on scientifically backed methods to achieve fuller, healthier hair?
The best approach to thickening your hair depends on what’s causing the thinning.
For example, if male pattern baldness is the issue, medications might be your best bet. But if your hair is thinning due to an irritated scalp, improving scalp health could be the key.
Here’s A Breakdown of 10 Science-based Strategies To Strengthen And Thicken Your Hair.
- Understanding Hair Growth
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand how—and at what pace—your hair grows. Hair growth varies by individual and is influenced by factors like genetics, age, health, and hair care practices.
On average, hair grows about half an inch per month, or roughly six inches per year. Growth tends to speed up in warmer months and slow down during colder ones.
It’s normal to lose around 100 hairs daily as part of the natural hair cycle. Though you may not notice new growth as much, it’s constantly happening.
The key to encouraging thicker hair is to keep your existing hair healthy and stimulate new growth.
While you can’t significantly change your hair’s natural growth rate, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a nutrient-rich diet, practicing good hair care habits, and managing stress can help create optimal conditions for hair growth.
10 Proven Tips for Thicker Hair
- Clean and Stimulate Your Scalp
Just as healthy soil is essential for a thriving garden, a healthy scalp is crucial for hair growth. Regularly cleaning and stimulating your scalp boosts blood circulation and removes buildup that can clog follicles.
This allows better absorption of nutrients and oxygen, promoting healthier hair growth. Scalp massages, which can be done while shampooing, are a simple way to enhance scalp health. Research shows that regular scalp massages can improve conditions like androgenetic alopecia, a common form of male pattern baldness.
- Eat a Balanced Diet
Nutrition plays a significant role in hair health. Key nutrients that support hair growth include antioxidants, which combat oxidative stress that can damage hair follicles; protein, essential for building and repairing hair tissues; and omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties that may promote hair growth.
Incorporating colorful plant foods, lean proteins, and omega-3-rich foods like fish and nuts into your diet can make a difference. However, diet alone won’t stop hair loss caused by genetic or hormonal factors.
- Use Hair-Growth Medications
Only two medications are currently FDA-approved for treating male pattern baldness and promoting hair growth: finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride works by reducing levels of DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss, while minoxidil, a topical solution, may stimulate growth by increasing blood flow to the scalp.
Studies show that these medications can be effective, with many users experiencing significant improvements in hair density and volume.
- Add Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, such as rosemary, lavender, peppermint, and jojoba oil, may nourish the scalp and strengthen hair follicles.
These oils are believed to improve blood circulation, deliver nutrients to hair follicles, and even have anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain scalp health. Regularly massaging diluted essential oils into your scalp may contribute to thicker hair.
- Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Styles that pull hair tightly, like ponytails, braids, or buns, can cause traction alopecia—a type of hair loss caused by tension at the roots. Over time, this can damage follicles, preventing healthy hair growth. Opt for looser styles, wear your hair down more often, or use gentle accessories like scrunchies to minimize stress on your hair.
- Minimize Heat Styling
Heat styling tools can be harsh on your hair, leading to dryness, brittleness, and split ends. Over time, this damage can cause thinning and breakage. To protect your hair, reduce your use of heat styling tools, save them for special occasions, and always apply a heat protectant when necessary.
- Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key not just for your skin but for your hair, too. Proper hydration supports cell function in your scalp and follicles, helping maintain moisture and prevent dryness that can impede hair growth. Make water your go-to drink and stay hydrated to support hair health from the inside out.
- Manage Stress
Chronic stress can disrupt your hair growth cycle, leading to thinning and hair loss. Elevated stress hormones like cortisol can negatively impact follicle function, causing more hair to fall out. Incorporating stress management techniques—such as meditation, exercise, or creative activities—into your routine can help maintain healthier hair.
- Get Regular Trims
Regular trims don’t speed up hair growth, but they do prevent split ends and breakage, which can make your hair look healthier and fuller. Removing damaged ends every few weeks helps ensure your hair remains strong and resilient.
- Protect Against Environmental Stressors
Environmental factors like UV rays, pollution, and harsh weather can weaken your hair’s structure. Protect your hair by using UV-protective products, wearing hats, or applying leave-in conditioners to create a barrier against these stressors.
The Bottom Line on Hair Growth
While the latest trends in hair care products and supplements can be tempting, they often lack scientific support.
Instead, focus on proven methods like maintaining scalp health, eating a balanced diet, considering medications like finasteride and minoxidil, and protecting your hair from environmental stressors.
Achieving thicker, stronger hair takes time, but with patience and the right approach, it’s possible. For personalized advice, consult a healthcare provider to find the best solutions for your hair growth journey.
