Fashion
Expert-Approved Ways To Fight Thinning Hair
Growing up, when I’d think of thinning hair I’d automatically assume it was an issue exclusive to men. As I’ve aged and started to notice how thin my own hair is, I’ve become a whole lot wiser on the topic. There are ways to combat thinning hair that really do work. I have personally tried many of the tricks we’ll discuss in this article, and can attest to how beneficial they are to those of us with thinning hair.
To get some expert learnings on the topic, I spoke to celebrity hairstylist and Women’s ROGAINE® spokesperson Jill Crosby who gave me some insight into ways to fight against thinning hair. Crosby talked about hair myths in a recent article, and in that conversation I learned shedding is actually normal — it’s when you’re shedding too much that it could mean your hair is thinning. What’s normal? Crosby says about 50-100 hairs a day. The other important thing to note about thinning hair is that it can begin as soon as your early 20s, Crosby says. If you’re noticing your hair is getting thinner, let’s talk about the kinds of action you can take. Many of the means to increasing the appearance of thickness in your locks are as simple as choosing the right part in your hair, or picking up the right products when you’re out shopping. Read through this article and you might be surprised at how easy it can be to tackle hair thinness, and get the locks you desire. Here are 11 ways to combat thinning hair, according to an expert.
1. Go For The Right Hair Cut
If you’re worried about thinning hair, the right hair cut can make all the difference in making your locks appear thicker. “If you have thinning hair you want to opt for a shorter, blunt cut or long layers that offer waves and movement,” Crosby says. “This will also make hair lighter, giving lift from the root.”
2. Embrace Your Inner Blonde
Get this — the color of your hair could also play a big role in how thick or thin it appears. Why, exactly? Color can work to increase the diameter of the hair follicle so that hair will appear thicker. “Lighter shades work really well to help camouflage between hair and scalp,” Crosby says. Crosby also recommends staying away from colors that are a lot darker than your skin tone as they can cause visible contrast.
3. Shop For Volumizing Shampoos & Conditioners
When choosing shampoos and conditioners, reach for those that have a volumizing component, recommends Crosby, as these products help expand the cuticle giving the hair more oomph.
4. Create Texture
Add to the texture of your locks by reaching for additional volumizing products, like mousses and root lifters, says Crosby. “I love volumizing products and anything that creates texture. Working with your natural waves is a great trick for building body,” Crosby adds.
5. Wash Your Hair Less Often
You may have heard through the grapevine that you shouldn’t wash your hair every day. Turns out, there may be some truth to that notion after all — particularly considering what it does in terms of thickness. Washing your hair can cause tension, and when you have thinning hair you want to decrease the amount of tension being put on your locks, say Crosby. That said, washing less often can be helpful.
6. Try A Zig-Zag Part
I have thin hair and I always notice that when my part is perfectly straight, my hair looks super flat and wispy. Turns out, the right part can really make a difference. “Creating dimension is incredibly important when you have thinning hair,” Crosby says. Crosby suggests trying a zig-zag part to create that dimension. Supplement it with styling paste to give your hair a tousled look, she adds.
7. Find The Right Treatment
Is there a way for women to actually regrow hair? According to Crosby, there certainly is. “I would recommend developing a treatment plan with something that’s clinically proven to work like Women’s ROGAINE Foam with 5 percent minoxidil,” Crosby says. “I love that it’s an easy-to-use foam formula that’s applied just once a day so it fits into anyone’s beauty regimen and, it can be used on color treated or chemically processed hair and with all of your other styling products.”
8. Use A Thermal Heat Protector
If you’re one to be constantly putting hot tools to use on your hair, that excessive heat can be causing some serious damage. If you have thinning hair — which is often already weak and experiencing breakage — Crosby recommends always using a thermal heat protector before styling. (I use the Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti-Breakage Thermal Protective Spray, and it works wonderfully for me.)
9. Use Hot Tools On Low Or Medium
After you’ve applied your thermal heat protector and are ready for the hot tools, remember to leave them on a low or medium setting, Crosby suggests. Hair drying versus blow drying can be helpful, too. “I often recommend that women with thinning hair air dry their hair as much as possible—this also help to create natural texture which can result in added fullness,” says Crosby.
10. Get Professional Insight On Your Diet
Diet might be playing a role in why your hair is thinning. For instance, Prevention recommended including plenty of chicken in your diet if you’re hoping to get enough protein to grow hair regularly and healthfully to replace those 50-100 strands you’re losing each day. Crosby recommends anyone who believes their diet might be contributing to their thinning hair should consultant their physician to get direction on developing a healthy diet.
11. Get Professional Insight On Your Locks
A last and final tip for combatting thinning hair is getting a professional opinion on your hair, says Crosby. “For me, since thinning hair is so personal I think it’s incredibly important to speak with your hair stylist and dermatologist to help develop a treatment plan that works for you and your lifestyle,” Crosby adds.
If you have thinning hair, there is no reason to fear. As you can tell from the above tips from Crosby, there are ways to combat the issue. Try putting some of these points into action, and before long, your hair might be looking a whole lot thicker.
