Hair loss is at the top of the list of things that can lower a woman’s self-esteem, but thankfully there are tricks of the trade that can add volume to even the most limp and wispy hair.
Wash your hair frequently
Treat your hair as if you treat your skin, suggests Deycke Heidorn, a celebrity stylist. ‘Not cleaning your hair and scalp clogs pores and leads to more oil production, which will make your hair appear greasy, limp, and sticky,” she says. If you’re dealing with thinning hair, you’ll want to clean your hair often with a moisturizing shampoo that’s formulated to balance your scalp. Heidorn recommends Mizani’s Scalp Care Pyrithione Zinc Antidandruff Shampoo, which deeply cleanses and moisturizes without weighing hair down. Check out these other surprising causes of greasy hair.
Choose the right hairstyle
When you have less hair to work with, choosing the right ‘do is paramount. “You want a simple style that will enhance volume and thickness,” says Angelo David, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Angelo David Salon in New York City. He suggests a cut that incorporates a few layers to add volume. And as much as you may love long hair, David recommends against growing your hair out, as the added length can weigh your hair down. Find out what may be causing your hair loss.
Ask for highlights
Color is important for those who are looking to add fullness to their mane. Kali Ferrara, senior colorist at Roy Teeluck Salon in New York City, recommends highlights to her clients battling thinning hair because they add contrast and texture and boosts the crown. “Highlights can plump the hair shaft and will more absorb oil from the scalp, resulting in hair that will look fuller and won’t get greasy after a few hours,” she says. Ferrara recommends opting for a color that’s closer to your skin tone because it makes your hair density (or lack thereof) less noticeable. Be sure to avoid these nine hair color mistakes that could damage your hair.
Look for hair products with keratin
Amino acids and keratin are known to repair the building blocks of the hair follicle and won’t weigh your hair down. Try Aveda’s ‘invati™’ Thickening Intensive Conditioner, which is made with naturally derived ingredients as opposed of harsh, chemical ingredients that dry out the hair, like alcohol.
Apply dry shampoo
Dry shampoo plumps up fine and thinning hair. “It not only sucks up oils that can make the hair flat, many dry shampoos can also leave a lighter color behind,” says Ferrara. She often uses dry shampoos when doing special event styles and high-volume hairdos to give the hair more grit and body. While there are plenty on the market that’ll do the trick, her favorite is Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Mini. “Just be careful to cleanse the scalp well after use, and don’t use more than two days in a row or you run the risk of clogging your pores and follicles,” she adds. Here’s a cheat sheet to everything you need to know about using dry shampoo.
Try fiber-building powders
Fibers or hair color sprays are a great way to add texture to the hair and also take the sheen off of the scalp, Ferrara explains. “These products adhere to strands, making them appear thicker in diameter. Additionally, the color on the scalp makes the hair appear to cover the scalp without distracting from the shine.” Her go-tos are Toppik Hair-Building Fiber and Oribe Airbrush Root Touch-Up Spray.
Backcomb or tease the hair
“Backcombing or teasing is one of the best ways to create body and volume to thinning hair,” says David. If you’re going to try this technique, however, he recommends making sure you’re using the right tools. Since he specializes in women who are dealing with hair loss and thinning hair, he created a tangle-free brush made with boar and nylon bristles that inhibits split ends: Angelo David Small Paddle Brush. “Section your hair when teasing, apply a dry shampoo for body, and finish with a light hairspray,” he adds. Here’s how to find the best brush for your hair type.
Change up your part
You’re in good company if you’ve been parting your hair to the same side for years—or maybe all your life—but experts agree that switching it up is a great way to add volume that helps distract from thinning hair. “This may feel odd at first, but when you part your hair against its direction of growth, your roots will immediately lift up,” says Heidorn.
Fake it
It might sound too simple to be true, but wigs, hair pieces, fillers, clip-ins, and extensions are available to help with all sorts of hair concerns. “Hair pieces add volume, body, length, confidence, and a polished look,” David says. “At my salon we only use 100 percent human hair and all these additions are cut and fitted to suit our client’s specific needs for the most natural look.”
Try over-the-counter supplements
When Ferrara first sees a client complaining of hair loss, increased shedding, or thinning, she first suggests that they purchase a hair, skin, and nail vitamin (her personal fave is Vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin, Gummies). “These will supplement any vitamin deficiencies the client may have,” she says. If those don’t work, or the thinning is from a trauma or temporary reason, she often recommends a topical treatment, such as Nioxin, to see if that will jump-start the growth. “If all else fails, and for my male pattern balding clients, I recommend full strength Rogaine to both men and women,” she says. “While Rogaine is effective, you must not stop using it, otherwise it will result in all of your new growth falling out.”
