If you have thinning hair you already know it can be a challenge to make it look its shiny and full best. Thinner hair can fall flat on the scalp and anything short of teasing it to the sky doesn’t always work. Adding to the complexity of thinning hair is the fact that it’s also delicate. You don’t want to begin piling on products that can weigh it down or trying every heated hair tool under the sun in the hopes of finding one that will boost its volume and appearance. A more targeted and thoughtful approach is necessary to keep thin hair in tip-top shape. Start with these six tips from hair experts to help make thinning hair look shiny and full again.
Develop healthy daily habits
There are very few miracles in a bottle, but healthy hair starts with healthier habits.
“To help with hair growth, I follow a few routines,” says Khamis Maiouf, CEO and founder of the Book of Barbering. “I make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals for nourishment. I also take a multivitamin and omega-3 supplement to make sure my hair is receiving all the nutrients it needs. I try to avoid excessive styling and use natural products whenever possible. I also use a wide-toothed comb to detangle wet hair in order to reduce breakage.”
Incorporate these vitamin-rich foods into your diet
On that note: if you’re struggling to figure out what to eat for better hair health (and overall health), Dr. Enrizza P. Factor, a clinical dermatologist and researcher with myeczemateam.com, says these foods promote hair growth:
– Eggs — which are a great source of protein and biotin, two nutrients that are essential for hair growth.
– Berries — loaded with beneficial compounds and vitamins that may support hair growth.
– Spinach.
– Fatty fish.
– Sweet potatoes.
– Avocados.
– Nuts
– Seeds
“Vitamins and minerals to contribute to healthier hair [are] vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids,” Dr. Factor says. If you aren’t sure you’re getting enough of these nutrients in your diet, speak to your doctor about adding a quality supplement to your routine.
Avoid Hair Breakage
Be careful not to contribute to more hair breakage while trying to repair your hair, as Dr. Factor reminds us. This means: detangling your hair with a gentle detangling brush, not using elastic ties or relying on too many tight hairstyles like braids and tight ponytails, and applying a hair protectant spray before you blow dry hair.
Avoid Hot Hair Styling Tools
On the heels of the previous tip about avoiding hair breakage, avoiding hot hair styling tools is one major way to do that, according to Maiouf, who says tools like curling irons and flat irons can cause damage to the hair shaft. If you are going to use these tools, be sure to purchase a heat protectant spray designed specifically for hair tools.
Use Clarifying Shampoo
Every now and again, product buildup from dry shampoos and hair sprays can settle on the scalp and weigh the hair down. “Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove buildup from styling products and environmental pollutants,” Maiouf recommends. Be careful not to overuse clarifying shampoos though, as some formulas can be drying.
And another note on shampoo: Dr. Factor recommends shopping for formulas that are designed for your hair type (those labels that list a shampoo as ideal for thinning or colored hair are legit).
Don’t Sleep on Conditioners & Masks
Conditioners and masks aren’t optional products if you have dry, thinning hair — they are an important part of your hair routine to keep strands shiny and well managed. In addition to using a deep conditioning treatment once a week to restore hydration and nourishment to hair, Maiouf recommends massaging natural oils like organ or coconut oil onto the scalp and hair to boost hydration.
Whether your hair is on the thinner side, fuller side, or somewhere in between, a few tricks of the trade can help make it look its healthiest best.
