Thinning and limp hair is a common frustration for many. Some of the leading causes are genetics and hormonal changes, aging, medical conditions, stress, and lifestyle. Harsh hair care practices can compound the damage. However, you can increase your hair volume using hair thickening products—provided your expectations are realistic.
Understanding Hair Volume
Hair volume may be defined by thickness or density. Hair thickness refers to the diameter of an individual hair fiber. Density, however, has to do with the number of strands on your scalp per unit area. These traits are largely genetic. That is, you can’t permanently change the diameter of your hair strand.
Yet both thickness and density remain involved in determining the extent of your hair volume. For example, hair loss—a decrease in hair density—can significantly decrease volume even when strand thickness remains the same.
Therefore, the first step in creating a volumizing regime is a classification of your hair type: fine, coarse, sparse, or dense. An individual with fine, low-density hair may need heavy products (for conditioning and lifting) and gentle styling. Meanwhile, someone with coarse, dense hair may need light products.
Not sure what your hair type is? Read: How to Know Your Hair Type
The Science Behind Thick Hair Products
Most hair thickening products achieve the effect by coating and lifting the hair fibers. Polymers are also used in some shampoos to create protective layers around each strand. This layer of polymer separates the portion of each hair shaft slightly, providing it with a thicker, plumper appearance.
Likewise, some conditioners usually use hydrolyzed proteins and humectants to plump up the hair. This is done by plugging the microscopic cracks on the cuticle and absorbing atmospheric moisture. Their ingredients fortify the hair's existing structure and make each strand stronger.
Meanwhile, some ingredients go a step further by stimulating scalp health and new growth. The ingredients with the most compelling evidence of stimulating hair growth are essential oils. The findings of a clinical trial of a rosemary product suggest that rosemary oil can thicken individual hair strands and increase the growth rate.
That said, you need to set realistic expectations because even proven ingredients require consistent use over months to see changes.
GK Hair’s Best Volumizing Products for Thin Hair
GK Hair has several categories of natural products for thicker hair. Below, we highlight key ones and how they fit into your routine:
Texturizing Sprays
Once your hair is styled, a lightweight finishing spray can help you maintain volume and grip. GK Hair’s VolumizeHer Spray is one example of such: It gives your hair instant body and fullness. Its ingredients include keratin proteins and coconut oil for natural shine.
This spray is meant to be applied near your limp hair roots to give it the needed lift. It combats frizz, and you can spray it without concern for residue or flattening because it is formulated without silicones.
Root-Lifting Mousses
A classic volumizing tool is a mousse applied at the roots on damp hair. GK Hair’s Styling Mousse is formulated for lift and adds volume without weighing your hair down. It contains lightweight emollients to surround each strand with a gentle, flexible hold. For best results, focus the mousse on the base sections of your hair and lift it as you dry—this builds real root height.
Common Mistakes That Flatten Hair and How to Avoid Them
Good hair thickening products won't save you if you have bad hair habits. Examples of such habits are:
Overprocessing
Your hair can be seriously thinned and weakened by a great deal of bleaching, perming, or dyeing. If you must color, choose gentle dyes and space out your coloring sessions. Similarly, avoid frequent use of very hot flat or curling irons.
An experiment on the effects of heat on hair showed that flat-ironing under extreme temperatures (such as 428°F) caused a good part of the natural curl of the hair to be destroyed after a few strokes. Therefore, you should reduce and limit the heating sessions to maintain the benefits of your thickening product.
Damaging Ingredients
Keep off sulfate shampoos. Sulfates are so abrasive that they take away the protective oils of the hair and leave the hair dry and brittle. Instead, get a sulfate-free shampoo that is mild and will make your hair healthier. GK Hair’s products fit this bill perfectly.
You can check out our Intense Moisture Pack to get effective products that preserve and restore moisture in your hair. You should also avoid hair products with ingredients that include fragrance, colorants, and heavy silicones. Give preference to lightweight and clean ingredients.
Styling Mistakes
Brushing or combing wet hair will, in most cases, stretch and break the hair, leaving you with fewer and shorter hair strands. This can be attributed to the fact that the hair is weak and flexible when wet.
That is why dermatologists recommend that you dry your hair a little, then comb it using a wide-tooth comb. Also, give up putting your hair in a tight ponytail or bun frequently. This creates tension, which can snap the strands as time goes by.
Bottom Line
Thicker hair comes from a consistent routine tailored to your hair’s needs. Start by diagnosing your hair’s main issue. Is it simply limp and greasy, or is it genuinely thinning? Offer gentle care and use quality products to address those specific problems, and you will be a step closer to building a routine that delivers the volume you’ve been seeking.
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