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Thicker, fuller hair you'll love
For many women, a head of shiny, healthy, thick hair feels like a far-off fantasy. But, contrary to popular belief, you can actually make your hair thicker.
Some people are born with naturally thin hair. Others experience hair thinning or hair loss over time.
No matter which camp you fall into, we’ve got ten science-backed tips on how to make your hair thicker (or, at the very least, look thicker). Let’s dive right into it!
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There are tons of shampoos and conditioners on the market, but does the one you choose really matter? After all, it gets rinsed out at the end of your shower — right?
Turns out it does matter, and different formulations can offer different benefits.
For example, a volumizing shampoo and conditioner can give fine, limp hair some hold, helping it look fuller.
Thickening shampoos and conditioners—as well as other hair thickening products—contain ingredients that plump up each strand, making your hair look thicker and fuller.
And if you’re noticing more hair shedding — like more hair than usual in your hair brush or shower drain — a hair loss shampoo designed to control shedding, could help you hold on to more strands.
You may also want to look at the label so you can avoid any concerning ingredients. For example, if you have sensitive skin, ingredients like sulfates may cause irritation.
Be gentle when managing those tresses! Damaged hair is more prone to hair breakage — and broken hair can leave your hair looking much thinner.
To minimize breakage and keep your hair healthy, consider reducing:
Bleaching and coloring
Heat styling — including blow drying, straightening, and using a curling iron on your hair
Brushing your hair too often
Aggressive towel drying
If you need to use heat styling tools, use a heat protectant product.
It’s also a good idea to keep your hair moisturized, as dry hair may be more prone to breakage. Consider using a nourishing hair mask or leave-in conditioner every so often to maintain hydration.
A gentle approach to your hair care routine can help reduce split ends, frizz, hair breakage, and loss of shine, keeping your hair strong and healthy.
Learn more about how you can repair chemically damaged hair in our guide.
Great hair literally starts at the root. Keeping your scalp clean and healthy is important for supporting hair growth.
Wash your hair regularly — not so often that you dry your scalp out, but enough to keep your scalp clean. Overdoing the dry shampoo can lead to buildup, irritating your scalp, so try to limit its use.
If you have dandruff, use a medicated shampoo to help manage it.
Another tip: Massage your scalp!
Scalp massages may not be able to cure hair loss, but some limited research suggests it may increase hair thickness.
In a small 2016 study, nine men received a four-minute scalp massage daily with a massage device. After 24 weeks, the overall average hair thickness among the participants increased significantly.
We can’t draw definite conclusions since the study was so small, but it could be worth trying. (Plus, a scalp massage is a great way to relax — so why not?)
Learn more in our guide to scalp care for women.
What you eat can influence hair health and potentially affect hair thickness. A healthy diet is key to healthy hair growth. If you have nutritional deficiencies, they can lead to hair loss.
You might notice hair loss or changes in your hair if you’re not getting enough of these nutrients:
Iron
Vitamins A, B (including biotin), C, D, and E
Zinc
Omega-3 fatty acids
Protein
Eating a balanced diet of whole foods can help you avoid deficiencies. And, if you do develop a nutritional deficiency, consider using a quality supplement.
Read our list of foods for healthy hair to check which foods to add to your meal prep.
We know that “stress less” isn’t exactly the answer you want to hear when you ask how to grow thicker hair.
But stress really does play a role in your hair health.
In fact, stress-related hair loss is a real thing. Severe, acute stress can cause your hair to suddenly shed — a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This happens when a stressful event causes some of your hair follicles to prematurely leave the growing phase and enter a resting phase. This leads to a noticeable increase in hair shedding about 2-3 months later.
So, keeping your stress under control can keep your hair on your head — and looking as thick as possible.
Struggling to cope with stress? Know you’re not alone, and it is possible to get the help you need to start feeling better. Consider consulting with a mental health professional if possible.
If your hair has become thinner than usual, hair loss medications can help stop hair loss and promote new hair growth.
Here are some treatments to consider:
Topical minoxidil. Also known by the brand name Rogaine®, topical minoxidil comes in a drop and foam form. Minoxidil appears to improve hair density and slow down hair loss by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and encouraging resting hair follicles to enter the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
Oral minoxidil. Low dose oral minoxidil is an effective and convenient alternative to topical minoxidil. This once-daily pill has been shown to have similar results to 5% minoxidil topical treatment. For those that find topical application challenging, it may provide better results due to the increased likelihood of consistent use. When oral minoxidil is prescribed for hair loss it is considered an off-label use.
Spironolactone. Spironolactone is a prescription medication that blocks androgen production, reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hair strands. It’s typically used to treat female pattern hair loss, acne, and other conditions associated with hormonal imbalances.
Finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. The FDA has only approved oral finasteride to treat male pattern baldness, but it can be prescribed off-label for women. Our postmenopausal hair loss spray combines topical finasteride with minoxidil for a dynamic duo.
It’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional (like a GP or a dermatologist) to determine the root cause of any hair loss you may be experiencing and what the appropriate treatment might be.
Biotin is essential for the production of keratin, a key protein that forms the structure of hair. A biotin deficiency can contribute to hair thinning, and research shows biotin supplementation may help improve hair growth in those with a deficiency.
Our biotin gummies contain a number of hair-loving nutrients in addition to biotin to support your hair health.
For a powerful punch, our prescription minoxidil and biotin chew, combines oral minoxidil with biotin, offering a convenient and effective way to support hair growth.
We mentioned that certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair loss, and supplements may help. But there are other supplements that may also help thicken hair.
For example, you can consider saw palmetto. A 2020 systematic review found that saw palmetto supplements may improve hair quality, increase hair count, and increase hair density.
If you’re looking for a convenient solution to address hair loss that combines hair loss medication with supplements that support healthy hair, consider Hers Hair Blends. These are custom combinations of prescription medication with hair loss vitamins and supplements in one pill — fit to your needs.
You might have seen those red light therapy combs, hats, and helmets and wondered WTF is going on. But those odd-looking devices could be a helpful tool to achieving thicker hair.
Although more research is needed, studies so far are promising. For example, a 2020 randomized, controlled study consisting of 60 people with androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) compared the effects of red light therapy to a sham (placebo) device. The group who used a red light therapy device for 16 weeks had a significant increase in average hair density and average hair thickness compared to the control group that had used a sham device.
You can learn more about the science behind red light therapy for hair loss.
Ever wonder how celebrities have a bob one day and waist-length hair the next week? We can tell you one thing: it’s definitely not just supplements.
Since getting thicker hair is a journey, hair extensions, wigs, and weaves can all temporarily add extra body and fullness. Just be careful not to damage your existing hair in the process.
Learn more about hairstyles for women with hair loss. And if you’re looking for more natural ways to make your hair look thicker, speak to your hairstylist about haircuts that work for your hair type. For example, a chic bob may do more for you than longer hair.
Even something as simple as changing the side you part your hair can give the illusion of thicker hair.
So, there you have it: science-backed ways to promote thicker looking hair. But getting thicker hair is a process, so patience is key.
While some methods offer instant boosts (like extensions), many others can take at least a few months to show results.
But they’re still worth trying. Here’s your cheat sheet on how to get your hair thicker:
Use the right hair care products. Shampoos play a key role in not just keeping your scalp clean but also the overall health of your hair.
Be gentle on your hair. Try to avoid bleaching your hair, air-dry when possible, and take a break from hot tools like your curling iron and hair straightener.
Consider hair loss treatments. If you have hair loss or thinning hair, treatments like minoxidil can slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth.
Ready to get thicker, healthier hair? Connect with a healthcare provider for an assessment of your hair loss and get personalized recommendations on the appropriate hair loss treatments for you.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
Dr. Addie Ganik is a board-certified dermatologist and a Medical Advisor for Hims & Hers. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Ganik worked in digital health at Ro, where she focused on dermatology offerings, medical review, and patient education. In her clinical career, Dr. Ganik has practiced dermatology in both hospital and private practice settings. She has also contributed to several publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
Dr. Ganik received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Stony Brook, graduating summa cum laude. She received her M.D. from New York University School of Medicine and did her dermatology residency at New York University Medical Center Skin and Cancer Unit. Dr. Ganik also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology at The Rockefeller University, where she conducted research on psoriasis.
Dr. Ganik is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Ganik lives in New York and enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and repurposing flea market finds. You can find Dr. Ganik on LinkedIn for more information.