How to increase hair growth and thickness

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Do you long for thick, gorgeous hair? Hair extensions and weaves offer people the chance to get thicker hair, but there are ways to thicken your hair naturally, too. It's a lot less expensive, and the results will last much longer. Read on to learn how to get thick, glossy hair the natural way.

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   Rethink the way you wash your hair. How often do you wash your hair? If it's every single day, you're actually hurting your hair in the long-term and preventing it from getting thicker. Washing your hair every day removes the natural oils produced by your scalp to protect your hair and keep it healthy.

   • Washing your hair three to four times a week is a healthier routine. This gives your hair a chance to get the benefits of the oils your scalp produces. Your hair might look a little oily when you first start this new routine, but it should balance out in a week or two.
   • If you feel that your hair needs shampooing more often, try dry shampoo. You can use dry shampoo between regular washings, which can be great for people who sweat a lot or have really oily hair.
   • Wash your hair with cold water. Hot water is hard on the hair, causing it to dry out and get brittle. Washing your hair with cold water helps the hair shaft lie flat, protecting it from breakage and damage.

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   Dry your hair more carefully. Don't ball it up and wring it out when you get out of the shower - this causes the hair to break. If you want it to grow thick, take care of the hair you have by gently patting it dry with a towel and then letting it finish air-drying. This natural method for drying hair is easy, free, and produces great results.[1]

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   Know when to use your brush. Brushing your hair while it's still wet is yet another way to break it, causing it to thin out. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently work through the tangles. Save the brush for when your hair is dry, since it's less fragile in that state.

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   Don't use heat styling tools as often. Do you blow dry your hair every day? It's tempting to go for the sleek, glossy look on a daily basis, but this is one of the best ways to thin out your hair. You're pulling on the roots and heating the shaft, damaging it every time. Instead, let your hair air dry and style it using natural methods.

   • Save the curling iron, blow dryer, and hot rollers for special occasions only.
   • To curl your hair without using heat, try the t-shirt method. To use the t-shirt method, cut a t-shirt into fabric strips ranging in size. A good size to start with would be 3-in by 12-in (or 7 cm by 30 cm). Wrap your hair around the fabric, rolling it until you reach your scalp. Then tie the fabric into place. For best results, smooth on a bit of conditioner while your hair is wrapped. Wait several hours or overnight before unrolling your hair.

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   Toss out products that contain harsh chemicals. In your quest for thicker hair, you might have an array of shampoos and conditioners promising to help your hair grow longer and thicker. Unfortunately, many of these products may be exacerbating the problem. Take a look at the ingredients and toss out the products that have unpronounceable names. To grow thicker hair, you need to avoid dousing your hair with harmful chemicals.

   • Sodium laurel and laureth sulfates are found in many shampoos. These cleaning agents are also found in dishwashing detergent, and are much too harsh for your hair.
   • Conditioners with silicones can be useful for people with thick hair, but they build up on the hair. For those with thin hair, this build up can weigh the thin hair down, making it look flat and thinner than before. Silicones can only be completely washed out with strong stripping shampoos, which can be damaging.

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   Look for ingredients that promote hair growth. There are a variety of natural shampoos, conditioners and styling agents out there with ingredients that can help your hair grow thick and healthy. Look for the following ingredients, or buy the pure versions and apply them to your hair:

   • Aloe. This is known to stop hair loss and help your hair grow healthy.[2]
   • Avocado oil. This contains vitamins that are absorbed into your skin, promoting healthy hair growth.[3]
   • Growth Factors. These are signals like the ones you naturally make telling hair to keep growing. If for some reason, like stress or aging, you produce less of these, adding topical hair growth factors could help.

   EXPERT TIP

   Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

   

   Apply products that coat your hair and add thickness. It's challenging to have thick hair, especially if your hair is naturally thin, but you can add thickness by using products that coat your strands and volumize. There are thickening shampoos and conditioners, and mousses that allow your hair to sit higher on your scalp.

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   Use treatments that make your hair healthy. Avoid dyes, bleaches, chemical straighteners, and other harmful treatments, and embrace hair treatments that make your hair thicker instead.

   • Give yourself a deep conditioning treatment by applying olive oil to your hair, covering it with a shower cap, and letting it sit for a few hours or overnight. Shampoo your hair as usual and enjoy your thick, well-conditioned hair.
   • Dye your hair using honey. If you want to go a few shades lighter, use honey, which conditions your hair instead of drying it out like most dyes.

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   Eat foods that make your hair grow thicker.[4] Sometimes thinning hair is a sign that you aren't getting the nutrients you need. Eating a well-balanced diet is a sure way to start growing thicker, healthier hair.

   • Make sure you get plenty of protein - eat fish, chicken, legumes, and lean meats.
   • Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to hair health. Eat nuts, avocados, and olive oil.
   • Vitamin B is also important when it comes to nourishing your hair. Make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
   • Biotin is another essential nutrient for hair growth, found particularly in seafood, eggs and soybeans.[5]

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   Take supplements for thicker hair. You can buy supplements specifically designed to help you get the nutrients you need to grow thick hair. They usually contain biotin, fish oil, protein, and a range of vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are another good choice when your goal is growing thicker hair.

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   Protect your hair from outside damage. Spending time in the sun, in the pool, and even on your morning commute may be affecting your hair if you aren't taking measures to protect it. Being more mindful of keeping your hair safe - the same way you would your skin - can lead to thicker hair in the long run.

   • Wear a hat when you'll be in the sun for long periods of time. This way your hair won't get dried out and brittle.
   • Wear a swim cap in the pool, so the chlorine doesn't damage your hair. If chlorine does get on your hair, use a daily clarifying shampoo afterwards to remove it.
   • Try not to spend too much time in polluted areas. If you have to walk next to traffic, wear a scarf or hat.

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   Get regular trims. Having your split ends trimmed off immediately gives your hair the appearance of being thicker. Over time, trimming your hair also keeps it healthy from root to tip.

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   Try to de-stress. Stress can be a cause of hair loss.[6] Find ways to make your life calmer, and eventually you may find that your hair begins to grow in thicker.

   • Start meditating. You can't wish your problems away, but meditation helps you figure out how to handle them better.
   • Get regular exercise. Keeping your body healthy helps destress the mind.
   • Get plenty of sleep. Sleeping for 8 hours a night is essential to your mental and physical health.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What ingredients should I avoid in hair products?

  

  Jenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.

  

  Professional Hair Stylist

  Expert Answer

  

• Question

  How can I increase my hair growth?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  There's nothing that guarantees faster growth. However, eating a balanced diet, massaging your scalp, and drinking plenty of water create an optimal growth environment.

• Question

  What vitamins are good for hair growth and thickness?

  

  Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

  

  Licensed Cosmetologist

  Expert Answer

  B vitamins and vitamin D are good for hair thickness and growth. It's also important to make sure you're eating plenty of protein.

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• Always consult your healthcare provider for extreme causes of excess hair loss and thinning. A medical condition or medication could be causing hair loss side-effects.

• Heat equal amounts of coconut and olive oil and few drops of rose water and mix well. Massage gently on the scalp and leave it overnight. Wash off in the morning with a mild herbal shampoo.

• Be careful what styling products you use regularly as some can cause hair loss, dandruff and scalp dryness.

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Article SummaryX

To grow your hair thicket naturally, wash your hair 3-4 times per week with cool water to preserve natural oils. When it's wet, use a towel to pat it dry gently, rather than squeezing or pulling it, and use a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles and knots. Try to avoid using heat to style your hair, which can cause your hair to break. Depending on your hair texture, you may want to remove products that contain sulfates, which strip natural oils from your scalp. Instead, look for products that have aloe or avocado oil, and use a deep conditioning treatment with olive oil or coconut oil. For tips from our cosmetologist reviewer on making lifestyle changes to thicken your hair, scroll down!

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