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How to Get Thicker Hair: Tips, Products, and Routines for Fuller Strands
Learn how to get thicker hair with scalp care, the right products, and styling tricks. Tips for fine, thinning, and limp hair that work fast.
Updated on June 25, 2026 | 3 min read
Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer
Key Takeaways
What to Know About Getting Thicker Hair
- Hair density refers to the number of strands on your head; hair thickness refers to the diameter of each individual strand — they're not the same.
- Scalp care, balanced nutrition, and the right shampoo are the foundation of healthier, fuller hair.
- Volumizing products, root-lift sprays, and the right haircut can make hair look thicker instantly.
- Most hair-density routines take two to three months to show visible results.
- Stress, hormones, and over-processing are common reasons hair starts to thin or lose density.
In This Article
Hair Thickness vs. Hair Density: What's the Difference?
What Causes Thin Hair?
How to Get Thicker Hair Step by Step
How to Make Hair Look Thicker Instantly
How to Thicken Hair Naturally
FAQs
Hair Thickness vs. Hair Density: What's the Difference?
Your hair’s thickness refers to the diameter of your individual strands, and describes your hair type, whether fine, medium or coarse. Not to be confused with your hair’s density; or the number of strands on your scalp. They're not the same, they both affect how thick your hair appears. Hair that’s fine with a lot of density can appear thick; and coarse hair with less density can appear thin. And while you can’t increase the number of hair follicles you have, you can get thicker-looking locks. From scalp care and strategic cuts to hero products, smart styling and changes to your diet, we’re telling you how to get thicker hair ahead.
What Causes Thin Hair?
Hair thickness and hair density are primarily genetic, but there are other factors at play when it comes to thin hair. And the key to figuring out how to get thicker hair starts with knowing what they are. Let's take a look below.
Genetics
Thin hair and androgenetic (or hereditary) hair loss is highly genetic and primarily determined by your DNA.
Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes, like during menopause or postpartum, can lead to a reduction in estrogen levels causing thin hair.
Stress
Stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to thin hair and temporary excessive shedding, also known as telogen effluvium.
Nutritional deficiencies
Deficiencies in protein and certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids also play a role in thin hair and hair loss.
Age
As you age, your hair naturally thins due to hormonal shifts, slowing cellular renewal, and the shrinking of hair follicles.
Certain Medications
Medications like blood thinners, antidepressants, birth control pills, and cancer treatments can temporarily push hair follicles prematurely into their resting phase.
Aggressive styling
Things like excessive heat styling, chemical processing and mechanical damage can make hair more fragile and thin over time.
How to Get Thicker Hair Step by Step
If it's thin hair you're dealing with, all hope isn’t lost. Thicker, healthier, shinier hair is possible- with a little work. These steps will answer your question of how to get thicker hair.
Step 1: Focus on Scalp Health
Your quest for thicker hair starts at the scalp. Scalp care is as essential as the rest of your skincare. A healthy scalp produces healthy strands. Cleanse thoroughly when you shampoo and exfoliate weekly to remove follicle-clogging buildup. Add a 4 minute daily scalp massage to improve circulation and support healthy growth.
Step 2: Use a Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
Thickening shampoos and conditioners are very effective for stimulating thicker, healthier-looking hair. They offer nourishment while lifting excess oil and product buildup from the hair to stop it from looking flat. Choose formulas with ingredients like caffeine, peptides, and biotin in the ingredient list like the ones the ENERGIZING line.
ENERGIZING SCALP CLEANSE
Gently clease fragile, thinning hair while giving the scalp a sensation of energy, vigor, and wellbeing. By balancing the scalp and hydrating the hair, you've set the foundation of a thicker-hair routine.
Step 3: Apply a Thickening Tonic or Serum
Leave-in tonics increase strand diameter and density serums target the scalp to support healthy growth. When added to your hair care routine, this product combination strengthens and hydrates to plump up strands and make hair appear thicker. ENERGIZING Thickening Tonic and Superactive instantly make your hair look and feel fuller.
Step 4: Eat for Healthier Hair
One of the easiest ways to thicken your hair naturally is through your diet. Support your hair growth cycle by eating foods rich in protein, iron, zinc, amino-acids and vitamins B12 and D3. These are the fundamental building blocks of healthy hair and contribute to thickness. Additionally, stay hydrated and limit excessive caffeine and alcohol.
Step 5: Protect Your Hair from Damage
The last step in your hair thickening routine is to protect your strands from damage. Exposure to hot tools, chemical processing and aggressive styling, are incredibly damaging over time. Always use heat protectant before styling with heat, limit chemical processing and tight hairstyles, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to prevent frizz and breakage.
How to Make Hair Look Thicker Instantly
How to make hair thicker is a common question heard by our stylists, so we’ve tapped them to find the best solutions. Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to disguising thin strands. Including the volumizing products, root-lift sprays and haircuts to make your hair look thicker instantly.
Use a Volumizing Shampoo
In addition to thickening shampoos and conditioners, volumizing formulas give your tresses a temporary boost of volume, making thin hair look fuller. All while cleansing the scalp of buildup that can leave strands looking flat. Try a lightweight formula with proteins, like VOLU Shampoo, for lift the roots after just one wash.
VOLUME WASH
Get instant fullness from the shower with a lightweight volumizing shampoo. Created for fine hair, the VOLU/ formula gently removes impurities while preserving the hair's natural structure, enhancing body and shine without weighing down delicate strands.
Try Root-Lift Products
As for your styling products, don’t underestimate the impact that root lift products can have on your strands. Volume sprays, mousses and texturizing powders add instant lift, especially when used with a volumizing shampoo. Spray VOLU Hair Mist at the roots for fuller-looking strands that lasts for days.
ROOT LIFT
Add instant, natural-looking fullness with a leave-on root-lifting spray. Designed for all hair types, spritz the roots of damp hair before blow drying for soft, shiny lift without any weight.
+16.6% volumizing effect after one use*
*Clinical test on 20 participants, conducted by independent laboratories.
Choose the Right Haircut
Your haircut has a lot to do with how thick or thin your hair looks. Blunt haircuts and strategic layers create a fuller appearance on thin hair. Blunt cuts make ends look denser for more volume and layers add movement and the illusion of body and thickness. Additionally, trimming your ends every six weeks can help your hair look thicker.
Use Strategic Hair Colour
When it comes to colour, the best base shade for thin hair is one that’s closest to your natural. Anything too dark or light will expose more scalp than necessary, making your hair look even thinner. Highlights and lowlights add visual dimension for movement and the illusion of volume. And a darker root shadow can make density appear greater.
How to Thicken Hair Naturally
Wondering how to thicken hair without products or styling hacks? Try one of these easy, at-home DIY remedies.
Scalp massage with rosemary or peppermint oil
Daily scalp massages with rosemary or peppermint oil have been shown to improve circulation, while removing follicle-clogging buildup to promote healthy hair growth.
Aloe vera and onion juice scalp masks
Onion juice boosts circulation to strengthen follicles, while aloe vera adds moisture and a protective barrier to calm the scalp.
Stress-management practices to reduce shedding
Managing your stress can help to reduce shedding by lowering your cortisol levels and resetting your hair's natural growth cycle. Practice daily medication, exercise regularly and prioritize getting 8-10 hours of sleep to keep stress in check.
FAQs
What causes hair to become thin or lose density?
Hair thickness and hair density are primarily genetic, but other factors when it comes to thin hair or low density include hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, age, certain medications and aggressive styling.
How long does it take to see thicker hair?
With a consistent hair-density routine including scalp care, balanced nutrition, stress management, and the right shampoo and styling products, visibly thicker hair results generally take two to three months.
Does scalp massage actually make hair thicker?
While daily scalp massages can’t actually make your hair thicker, they improve circulation and help to remove follicle-clogging buildup, promoting healthy hair growth and giving the appearance of thicker hair.
What's the difference between hair density and hair thickness?
Your hair’s density refers to the number of strands on your scalp, while its thickness refers to the diameter of your individual strands, and describes your hair type, whether fine, medium or coarse.
Can thin hair grow back thicker after thinning?
If your hair is thin due to genetics, there’s not much you can do to change the diameter of your strands. But if your hair is thinning as a result of hormonal changes, stress, nutritional deficiencies, medication or styling, it can grow back thicker once those issues have been resolved. Overall, with consistent scalp care, balanced nutrition, stress management and the right shampoo and styling products, you can make your hair appear thicker.
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