How To Get Thicker Hair: 8 Proven Ways

Why Does Our Hair Get Weak and Thin?

Let’s start with the underlying causes. Why does our hair get thin in the first place? Here are the basics: hair comes from the scalp. Like the rest of our skin, the scalp is a living organ susceptible to the products and environments it interacts with and the changes occurring within our various bodily systems.

When the scalp is damaged, the process of cell regeneration that results in hair growth is often weakened as well. If you’re experiencing hair loss, below are some potential causes.

Hair Care Products

With so many harmful ingredients in traditional hair care products, it’s no surprise why many of us are left with damaged scalps and thinning hair. Some of these commonly found ingredients, like sulfates, can weaken your hair and strip it of its natural oils. While others, including parabens, can be harmful for your body. If your hair care products include any of the following, now’s the time to toss them.

Ingredients to look out for include:

• Parabens

• Sulfates

• Phthalates

• Formaldehyde

• Triclosan

• Synthetic Fragrance (simply listed as “Fragrance” on the ingredient label)

• Dyes

The good news is that there are plenty of hair care products that have ditched these harmful chemicals in favor of natural, safe ingredients.Our Balancing Shampoo, for example, is tough on dandruff but doesn’t contain any harsh ingredients that many other anti-fungal shampoos include. At Jupiter, we’ve formulated all of our haircare products to be free from the above harmful ingredients (we’re vegan and cruelty free too!). Harmful hair care products or harsh chemicals, like bleach and dyes, can affect the health of your scalp and hair strands. If you’ve ever experienced breakage from a DIY bleach job, then you know what we’re talking about!

Natural Causes Due to Aging

Another reason you may experience hair loss or thinning is due to the natural aging process. As we age, our hair follicles' genetic expression changes. Many women report that their hair strands get thinner or more coarse during menopause. Some people may even experience bald patches. When you’re used to your hair looking one way for most of your life, and it dramatically shifts, it’s normal to want to take every step possible to restore your hair. Thankfully, there are ways to address hair thinning related to aging that are accessible and easy to try (more on that later).

Intense or Unexpected Stress

We talk a lot about how stress can negatively affect the body, but you may be surprised to know that hair is no exception. Extended periods of stress and anxiety can seriously affect the vibrancy of your hair. Similarly, unexpected and sudden stress can be linked to hair loss. This may be due to a variety of factors related to how our bodies process stress. Commonly, stress can cause telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss, that pushes your hair follicles into the resting phase that can cause hair to fall out within a few months.

Hair Styling

Besides hair care products, our hairstyles can also play a role in hair thinning. Tight, slicked-back styles may look chic on Gigi Hadid, but if worn too often, they can cause serious harm to the hair follicle, resulting in hair loss and thinning.

This often happens with ultra-tight ponytails and affects the hair follicles closest to the face. If you see any breakage or hair loss around the temples or forehead, try to limit how often you’re wearing tight hairstyles.

Poor Diet and Lifestyle

Just like stress, our diet and lifestyles impact the health of our whole body, including our hair and scalp. A diet deficient in essential nutrients can make hair weak and brittle. Similarly, lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive drinking are usually reflected in the vibrancy of our hair.

Moisture and hydration are essential for healthy looking and bouncy hair. So if your locks are looking dry and flat, it’s possible that you’re not drinking enough water. Look at your daily water intake and make sure you’re giving your body what it needs to thrive.

Health Conditions and Medications

Hair loss can also be due to medical conditions and treatments. If you notice sudden hair loss or a change in your hair strands, speak with your doctor. It’s possible that the loss may be a result of something else happening in your body or your body’s reaction to certain medications.

What Does Thick Hair Really Mean?

How To Get Thicker Hair

Let’s dive into how to make your hair thicker. Here are eight ways to improve the appearance of your hair and leave it looking thick and healthy.

#1: Ditch Harmful Products

We’ve discussed this early on, so it’s no wonder why ditching the harsh products is our top suggestion. Investing in quality hair care products that include natural ingredients is one of the best things you can do for your hair. 

Check out our “Whole Darn Set” to see what ingredients like Green Tea Extract, Aloe Vera Juice, Volcanic Ash, and Sugar Kelp Extract can do for your locks. Make sure you’re ditching harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your scalp and hair in favor of clean formulas. Similarly, if you regularly bleach or color your hair, ask your stylist if they have organic or natural dyes. Color treatments can damage the hair strands, especially over several years of routine visits. 

#2: Try Rosemary Oil

Speaking of ingredients, we wanted to call out one all-star essential oil that can help with hair loss. A 2015 study found that rosemary oil increased hair counts in alopecia patients just as effectively as the prescription remedy, Minoxidil 2%. After six months of using rosemary oil the patients saw significant results. After reading that, it can be tempting to reach for the rosemary oil bottle, but our best suggestion is to look for products that include rosemary oil, as they’ll have gone through professional formulation and health and safety testing. 

We’ve included rosemary oil in all of our products for this exact reason (it has a lovely scent too!). 

# 3: Take Regular Breaks From Heat Styling

Step away from the blow dryer. We know all about addiction to certain heat styling tools. Sadly, these tools can seriously harm our scalp, leading to split ends, dry hair, and breakage - all contribute to our hair looking thin and damaged. Save heat styling for important occasions, and give your hair time to rest and reset in between. Besides, there are many options for cool blow-drying and heatless curls these days. 

#4: Protect Your Scalp From Sun Damage

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: protect your scalp!

If you’re applying SPF to your face daily, why can’t you apply it to your scalp? Our heads are the first point of contact for the sun’s rays and can quickly get dried out and burned from them. Apply SPF to your hairline and along your part, wear hats when under the sun, and stick to the shade to minimize sun damage.

#5: Eat a Nourishing Diet

Hair is almost entirely protein, so it’s no wonder the foods we eat can affect how our hair looks and feels. One study focused on menopausal women suggested that a diet rich in complex carbohydrates and high in fiber could help minimize hair loss. 

Foods like eggs, fish, nuts, and yogurt can help increase your healthy fat levels and give much-needed nutrients to your hair strands. 

#6: Improve Circulation to the Scalp

This proven method is one of our favorites. Improving circulation to the scalp may help foster new hair growth. One of the best (and most relaxing) ways you can improve circulation to your scalp is by doing regular scalp massages.

A 2016 study found that regular scalp massages increased hair thickness after twenty-four weeks. The participants received four minutes of standardized scalp massage daily on one side of their heads for about six months. As a result, the participants had thicker hair on the side that received frequent massages. 

Researchers concluded that gently stretching the hair follicles changed their genetic expression. It’s kind of like they hacked their hair follicles. Pretty cool, right? But you don’t have to schedule a daily scalp massage to help thicken your hair. With the right hair tools, you can massage your scalp at home. Check out our Scalp Brush. Its gentle bristles go deep on your scalp, clearing away build-up and encouraging blood flow to the hair follicles. Not to mention, a scalp massage feels pretty good too.

#7: Start Taking a Daily Multivitamin

If you’re struggling with vitamin deficiencies, consider adding a supplement to help foster thicker hair. In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, vitamin A, C, D, and E, B vitamins, zinc, biotin, iron, and magnesium can also affect hair health.

If you are deficient in any of those vitamins and minerals, consider taking a multivitamin that contains the daily recommendation for each nutrient as it can help strengthen and fortify your hair strands.

#8: Prioritize Your Mental Health

Last but not least, focus on reducing stress in your life. We can’t control when unexpected stressors arrive at our door, but we can take steps to lower our cortisol regarding long-term stress.

Try meditation, taking daily walks, and consider speaking to your healthcare provider to help address your concerns with stress.

Getting Thicker Hair with Jupiter

When it comes down to it, hair health is health. If you’re dealing with hair loss or thinning, we hope these methods help improve the health and thickness of your hair.

The key is ensuring you are taking care of your scalp and hair with the right products that promote a healthy scalp. Jupiter’s line of scalp and hair care products are effective solutions for combating scalp discomfort, exfoliating, cleansing, and moisturizing. Take our quiz to find out which set is best for you and will leave your hair thicker, fuller, and healthier looking.