3 Easy Ways to Thicken Hair At Home
Chilly air can do a number on the scalp, leading to slowed growth and increased shedding. Come spring, hair looks thin and flat, adding years to our appearance. To the rescue: simple fixes that restore volume and confidence. Find the one that works best for you.
Speed growth with a minty massage.
Bitter temperatures can slow blood flow to hair follicles, halting growth. Restart it with a mint and coconut oil scalp rub, says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD. Menthol (and the motion of massaging it in) stimulates circulation to deliver growth-encouraging nutrients to follicles while coconut oil’s lauric acid reduces any growth-thwarting inflammation. To do: Mix 6 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1/2 cup of liquefied coconut oil. Massage onto damp scalp; rinse. Do twice a week for results in 30 days.
Stop shedding with a dry detox shampoo.
We tend to wash our hair less in the winter, leaving a buildup of dry skin, oil, and product on the scalp that clogs follicles and leads to shedding. But spritzing a charcoal-infused dry shampoo, like Hask Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo ($7.99, Ulta), onto dry roots can help. “Charcoal acts like a magnet to pull out the follicle-clogging residue that causes fallout,” says Dr. Shainhouse. Plus, starchy agents in dry shampoo prop strands up and off the scalp to mask sparse spots and give the illusion of a fuller head of hair.
Volumize roots with this style technique.
Achieve thicker-looking hair overnight with just a little before-bed prep! First, wash hair using the “reverse rinse” method of conditioning before you shampoo, says celebrity hairstylist Kiyah Wright. “Since conditioner tends to leave a heavy residue behind that weighs down finer strands, applying it first ensures hair gets the hydration it needs, and shampooing after rinses away the residue for a fluffier appearance.” Next, secure slightly damp strands into a high ponytail with a creaseless hair tie, like TeleTies ($7.99, Amazon), before snoozing. This helps lift roots up, drying them into that position while you sleep. Tip: If hair is chin-length or shorter, get similar benefits by slipping on a fabric headband 2″ past the hairline, then gently push it forward. In the morning, before taking hair down, set the style by blow-drying roots for volume that lasts all day!
This article originally appeared in our print magazine.
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