How to Get Thicker Hair: 10 Science-Backed Tips

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 several science-backed tips on how to get thicker hair (or, at the very least, hair that looks thicker). Keep reading to learn more.

There are tons of shampoos and conditioners on the market, but does the one you choose really matter? After all, you rinse it 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 limp, fine hair some hold, helping it look more voluminous.

Thickening shampoos and conditioners — as well as other hair-thickening products — contain ingredients that plump up each strand, making hair look thicker and fuller.

If you’re noticing more hair shedding — like more stray strands than usual in the shower drain or your hair brush — a hair loss shampoo designed to control shedding could help you hold on to more strands.

When selecting shampoos and conditioners, pick one appropriate for your hair type. You may also want to look at the label and avoid any concerning ingredients. For instance, if you have sensitive skin, ingredients like sulfates can cause irritation.

Be gentle when managing those tresses! Damaged hair is more prone to hair breakage — and broken hair can leave 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

• Brushing your hair too often or brushing it while it’s wet

• Tightly pulled-back styles like ponytails, braids, and buns

• Styling products like mousses or hair sprays that advertise a long-lasting hold

• Aggressive towel-drying

Let your hair air-dry whenever possible. If you need to use heat-styling tools, apply a heat-protectant product beforehand.

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 to repair chemically damaged hair in our guide.

Great hair literally starts at the root. Keeping your scalp clean and healthy can help support healthy hair growth.

Wash your hair regularly — not so often that you dry out your scalp, but enough to keep your scalp clean. Washing too much can strip away hair oils, leaving your hair dry and brittle.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your hair when it becomes oily or dirty. For some, this may mean lathering up almost every day. Others may only need to wash their hair two to three times a week.

Also, be aware that overdoing it with dry shampoo can lead to product buildup, irritating the scalp. So try to limit how often you use it.

If you have dandruff, use a medicated shampoo to help manage it. Scalp conditions like dandruff and psoriasis can cause scalp irritation and itching, which can naturally lead to scratching.

Too much scratching can result in hair breakage and hair loss, making hair look thinner.

Another tip: Massage your scalp! Scalp massages can’t cure hair loss, but some limited research suggests they 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 (and only included men), 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.

Proper hydration is a critical part of maintaining healthy hair. So, make sure you’re drinking enough water each day.

Dehydration dries out skin and hair. When a hair shaft loses moisture, it can also lead to dull, weak hair that’s prone to breakage.

Consider using a leave-in conditioner every so often to maintain hydration. Or try out a nourishing hair mask once a week to keep hair moisturized, reduce split ends and frizzing, and lower the risk of breakage.

Hair masks typically contain several ingredients that help boost hair health, including natural oils like castor oil, peptides like collagen, and botanicals like rosemary oil.

If you’ve been wondering how to thicken hair naturally, your diet is a good place to start. That’s because what you eat can influence how hair grows and potentially affect hair thickness and hair health.

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

• Vitamin D

• B vitamins

• Zinc

• Protein

• Omega-3 fatty acids

Eating a balanced diet full of whole foods like fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains can help you avoid deficiencies. Read our list of foods for healthy hair to check which foods to add to your grocery list.

We just mentioned that certain nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair loss. If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, taking supplements may help thicken up your hair.

One hair supplement you may have heard a lot about is biotin (vitamin B7). Biotin is essential for keratin production. Keratin is a key protein that forms the structure of hair.

Although biotin deficiency is rare in the U.S., especially among those eating a balanced diet, it can contribute to hair thinning. Some research suggests biotin supplementation may help improve hair growth in those with a deficiency.

Hers offers over-the-counter biotin gummies that contain a number of hair-loving nutrients in addition to vitamin B7 to support hair health.

Also, combining biotin with clinically backed options like prescription minoxidil may provide an extra boost for hair health. Hers offers eligible customers access to once-daily gummies formulated by dermatologists with a blend of minoxidil and biotin.* Bonus: They’re green-apple flavored.

For those who prefer another alternative to traditional pills, Hers provides access to a minoxidil and biotin chew. The chews and gummies have the same active ingredients. Both might make it easier and more convenient to support hair growth as part of a daily routine.

Other supplements a healthcare provider may recommend to improve hair thickness include vitamin D, folic acid, and iron.

Another supplement you can consider trying out is saw palmetto. A 2020 systematic review found that saw palmetto supplements may improve hair quality, hair count, and hair density.

If you’re curious whether this treatment might be a good fit, you can start with a quick online assessment to connect with a healthcare provider and explore your options, including the Minoxidil + Biotin Gummy.

*The FDA doesn’t verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if you’re eligible for a prescription.

Yes, stress-related hair loss is a real thing. Severe, acute stress can cause hair to suddenly shed — a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium happens when a stressful event causes some of your hair follicles to prematurely leave the growing phase (anagen) and enter the resting phase (telogen). This leads to a noticeable increase in hair shedding about two to three 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’s possible to get the help you need to start feeling better. Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed by the stress in your life.

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 shampoos and supplements.

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.

If you’re looking for more natural ways to make your hair look thicker, speak to your stylist 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 your hair part can give the illusion of thicker hair.

It’s also important to visit your stylist for regular trims. Trimming removes the ends of hair that have become weathered and split over time, preventing damage from moving up the hair shaft and causing breakage.

Learn more about hairstyles for women with hair loss.

You might have seen those red light therapy combs, hats, and helmets and wondered what’s up with them. Those odd-looking devices could actually be a helpful tool in achieving thicker hair.

Though more research is needed, the evidence so far is promising.

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 that used a red light therapy device for 16 weeks had a significant increase in average hair density and average hair thickness compared to the group that used a sham device.

Further, a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at seven clinical trials of FDA-approved red light therapy devices. Researchers found a significant increase in hair density from red light therapy devices compared to sham devices.

Learn more about the science behind red light therapy for hair loss in our blog.

If your hair has become thinner than usual, hair loss medications can help stop hair loss and promote new hair growth. Let’s go over your options.

Topical minoxidil

Also known by the brand name Rogaine^®, topical minoxidil is available over the counter without a prescription. It comes in either a 2% solution or a 5% foam.

Minoxidil appears to improve hair density and slow down hair loss by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and encouraging resting hair follicles to enter the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.

Studies have found that topical minoxidil is effective for female hair loss. Research also suggests that once-daily application of the 5% foam is as effective as using the 2% formulation twice daily.

Oral minoxidil

Low-dose oral minoxidil is an effective and convenient alternative to topical minoxidil and is available with a prescription. When oral minoxidil is prescribed for hair loss, it’s considered an off-label use, meaning it’s used for something other than what the FDA approved it for.

A 2020 clinical trial found this once-daily pill had similar results to 5% minoxidil topical treatment.

For those who find topical application challenging, oral minoxidil may provide better results due to the increased likelihood of consistent use.

Through Hers, eligible customers can access a once-daily, green apple-flavored gummy containing both minoxidil and biotin. There’s also a chewable, citrus-flavored version of this two-in-one minoxidil and biotin combination through Hers.

If you’re curious whether you’re a candidate for these treatments, you can get started today with a quick online assessment. We’ll connect you with a healthcare provider who can help you explore your options.

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.

Medical providers prescribe it off-label to treat female pattern hair loss. Research has found that spironolactone is effective for this type of hair loss, especially when combined with other treatments like minoxidil.

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 hair loss, but it can be prescribed off-label for women.

Studies suggest finasteride may be helpful for female pattern hair loss, particularly in postmenopausal women. Our postmenopausal hair loss spray combines topical finasteride with minoxidil for a dynamic duo.

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 hair extensions), many can take at least a few months to show results.

But they’re still worth trying. Here’s a short cheat sheet on how to get thicker hair:

• Use the right hair care products. Shampoos play a key role in keeping the scalp clean and supporting hair health. Leave-in conditioners and hair masks can help to strengthen and moisturize hair.

• Be gentle on your hair. Try to avoid bleaching your hair and using hot styling tools without heat protection.

• Eat a balanced diet. Getting enough protein, iron, and biotin supports healthy hair growth. If you have a nutritional deficiency, supplements may help.

• Reduce stress. Stress can cause a type of hair shedding called telogen effluvium. In some cases, finding effective ways to curb everyday stress can prevent this form of hair loss from happening.

• Consider hair loss treatments. If you have hair loss or thinning hair, treatments like minoxidil can slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth.

It’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional (like a general practitioner or a dermatologist) to determine the root cause of any hair thinning or hair loss you may be experiencing.

That’s because, in addition to what we’ve discussed above, hair loss can be caused by underlying medical conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or thyroid disease.

Linking up with a healthcare provider can help you figure out exactly what’s causing your thinning hair and ensure you get the right treatment.

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.