I don’t wear my hair up in a ponytail very often, but that’s not because I’m opposed to things like convenience, comfort, and practicality. It’s because I’m ridiculously sick of hearing things like, “Aw, it’s so tiny!” Though I might never have ultra-thick hair, there are tons of thin hair mistakes that are easy to avoid — the kinds that take fine strands and make them appear even thinner, and I don't intend on having any slip-ups in that category.
You could end up with finer hair for a whole multitude of reasons, such as aging, genetics, poor nutrition, stress, over-washing, chemicals, and too much processing. While only some of these things are within our control, it’s important to take the reins where you can, so you can stop the excess shedding and promote more growth. And while over-straightened and flat ironed hair was a pretty big deal in the '90s (along with gel pens and Tamagotchis), the decade and its hair trends have been over for some time now. (Personally, my own hair-inspo is Caila from this past season of The Bachelor, but that’s neither here nor there). Here’s a list of my favorite tricks and tips to keep hair strong and growing, no matter what you're working with.
Stripping Oils With A Typical Shampoo
Renpure Cleansing Conditioner, $7, Amazon
Switching to a good-quality cleansing conditioner was the best thing I ever did for my hair. Regular shampoos are really tough on roots and split ends, as they typically use parabens and sulfates to strip natural oils from your scalp, leaving it dry and cracked. A cleansing conditioner like Renpure's formula leaves all of those oils in place, while gently cleaning away dirt and build-up so your hair feels nourished, healthy, clean, and — most importantly for me — thicker. Because Renpure is filled with keratin, proteins, and amino acids, hair is stronger and beautifully hydrated, can go longer between washes, and instantly looks and feels like it’s got more volume. Also, this stuff smells absolutely incredible.
Washing Your Hair Every Day
Hair Dance Organic Dry Shampoo, $11, Amazon
Daily washes are a bit of a catch 22 for anyone with thin hair; you want to clean your hair every day because it gets oily so quickly, but washing every day thins your hair and speeds up oil production in the first place. To help you out on your skip-a-day journey to thicker locks, there’s this effective organic dry shampoo. It’s totally natural and made from healthy ingredients like rice starch, oatmeal, and lavender oil, but it absorbs all excess sebum to make hair look clean and freshly-washed. It blends in perfectly with any color (no leftover build-up or chalky residue), and because it comes with an easy-to-apply dispersing nozzle and smells incredible, you won’t even miss your daily washes.
Damaging It With Heat Tools
InstaNatural Thermal Protector Hair Spray, $13, Amazon
Straighteners, curlers, and blowdryers are really rough on thin hair, but I’m a total hypocrite if I sit here and tell you not to use them. Instead, invest in a really solid heat-protector, like InstaNatural's thermal protectant hair spray. It’s filled with nourishing ingredients like castor oil, argan oil, and vitamin B5, which promote growth and stop frizz in its tracks, but it also takes the hit from your flatiron and blow dryer so your hair doesn’t have to. It comes in a convenient spray bottle that distributes evenly, and users are going nuts over the smell. Hair feels softer, shinier, and healthier, and because it’s protected, you’ll experience less shedding and split ends.
Ignoring Your Scalp’s Need For Circulation
Olde Jamaica Black Castor Oil Treatment, $6, Amazon
If your scalp isn’t getting proper circulation, the roots won't be stimulated or grow nearly as fast. Hot oil treatments are all the rage in haircare right now, as they nourish strands and improve circulation. This castor oil is a great option for hot oil treatments because it's known to seriously strengthen hair and promote tons of new growth. This particular bottle also contains healing and nutrient-rich oils like coconut, olive, almond, shea, tea tree, and jojoba — all of which penetrate the follicle to make your hair thicker, healthier, and better hydrated.
Not Plumping Hair At the Root
Brazilian Blowout Instant Volume Thermal Lift, $23, Amazon
If your dried out strands lack moisture and shape, pump up volume at the root with the thermal lift that helps hair to lock in moisture. Users say one small pump has incredible results, and one fan even said, "I have fine hair and this product gives me the boost I need for better volume and holding power." Its amino acids lend voluminous body to hair that would otherwise fall flat, but the hold still feels natural.
You're Using A Low-Quality Blow Dryer
Xtava Allure Professional Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer, $36, Amazon
All blow dryers are not created equal. Low-quality ones pump out hot air without taking any measures to protect your hair or optimize style time, leaving your strands burnt and dry. If you’re a regular dryer, a good one like the Xtava Allure Professional hair dryer makes all the difference. Not only is it made from ceramic, which is better at conducting heat in a less-damaging way, but it has ionizing technology that dries hair faster and does so with more volume (without static or burning). This particular dryer has two speeds and two heat settings, a sleek and lightweight style, a ridiculously powerful motor that dries hair super quickly, and a styling nozzle for extra volume.
Using The Wrong Brushes
Spornette DeVille Boar Bristle Brush, $12, Amazon
Not only do plastic brushes cause split ends, but they tug at the roots and cause way more shedding than brushes made from more natural materials. This Spornette DeVille boar bristle brush is made entirely from all-natural boar bristles, which are easier on your hair and evenly spread your scalp's natural oils from roots to tips. This brush's boar bristles also stand up much better to heat styling when you're using a blowdryer. The brush is also made with a luxurious wood handle that’s easy to grip, and it’s great for thin hair because it softens and volumizes hair.
Sleeping On Rough Cotton
Oosilk Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $20, Amazon
My hair ends up everywhere. I can’t have a ten-foot-distance conversation with someone without somehow shedding onto their outfit. More than anywhere else, though, I consistently find hair in my bed. Especially if you toss and turn, cotton pillowcases and sheets cause shedding like you wouldn’t believe, and that’s why a high-quality soft pillowcase like Oosilk's mulberry silk pillowcase is a great investment. Not only is it much easier on roots and split ends, but it helps evenly distribute natural oils all throughout your hair. It uses only the highest quality material, has a hidden zipper that tucks away when not in use, and it contains no chemicals or synthetic dyes. The case can be easily washed in cold water, and it even comes in an array of colors that fit any bedroom design. Best of all, breakage and shedding become a thing of the past.
Showering In Harsh Water
Qwench Pure Inline Showerhead Water Filter, $37, Amazon
Tap water is filled with chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and hard minerals that are really abrasive on your roots, dry out your hair, cause split-ends and breakage, and definitely do not help when it comes to thinning. A great shower filtration system like the Qwench's filtering shower head makes all the difference. It can be installed into any standard shower, and it removes all of the chlorine and impurities in your water — making skin and hair healthy, vibrant, and hydrated once more. Water pressure isn’t affected, installation is tools-free and super easy, and because you’ll no longer experience those dry-at-first-oily-two-hours-later cycles, you’ll find that every day is a good hair day.
Letting Stress Get The Best Of You
Body Scan: Managing Pain, Illness and Stress With Guided Mindfulness Meditation, $20, Amazon
When you're taking all the haircare measures you possibly can, but you're still finding loose strands of hair, it may be time to take another approach. Stress and anxiety (both physical and emotional) can contribute to hair thinning out, as it causes an increase of cortisol. Find an effective way to manage your anxiety, in order to further prevent stress-related hair loss. Body Scan Mindfulness Meditation is a great place to start because it’s very easy to follow along. It guides you through body-scan meditations, helping you focus on all the different sensations of your body, from head to toe. The audio exercises promote relaxation, stress relief, and calm within your body. Reviewers love the narrator’s gentle and reassuring voice and easy-to-follow directions, and consequently, come back to this meditation guide time and time again.
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