How To Make Thin Hair Look Thicker: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Christine George

Last Updated: June 26, 2025 Approved

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  • Getting the Right Cut
    • |
  • Choosing the Right Style
    • |
  • Using Natural Hair-Growth Methods
    • |
  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Christine George. Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 84% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 516,962 times.

Thinning hair, whatever the cause, can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are quite a few potential remedies available to help thicken hair, from simple haircut strategies to styling tricks to natural at-home methods. With the number of options out there, you can very likely find the one that will work for you and help you work around the frustrations of less-than-voluptuous hair.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Right Cut

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  1. Step 1 Talk to your stylist. 1 Talk to your stylist. Your hairstylist can be an excellent ally. Ask your stylist for guidance on finding a fuller-looking hairstyle.
    • Let the stylist know the specifics of your concerns--where you feel your hair looks thin, how you would like it to look, and what, if any, are you style limits.
    • It sounds obvious, but ask your stylist not to thin out your hair, as it will only make hair look thinner and flatter.
  2. Step 2 Get the right haircut. 2 Get the right haircut. A haircut designed to make your hair look fuller can go a long way towards helping you create the illusion of full-bodied hair.
    • Shorter hairstyles lend themselves more to fuller hair. The longer hair gets, the heavier and flatter it becomes.
    • Cutting layers into your hair is a great strategy to make it appear thicker.[1]
    • Don’t fall into the mullet trap. Mullets are friends to no one.
    • Ditch the part. Look for styles that allow you to comb hair back rather than parting it to one side--it will help hide thinness.
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  3. Step 3 Dye your hair with multi-faceted color. 3 Dye your hair with multi-faceted color. Monotone hair color contributes to a flatter, thinner appearance, so to add thickness, choose a hair color that includes varying shades and dimension.
    • Choose a shade of hair color that will flatter your natural skin tone; otherwise, a harsh color may emphasize rather than minimize thin hair.[2]
    • Highlights and lowlights can also add dimension, and thus a fuller look, to your hair.[3]
    • Bleaching hair will also cause the strands to expand, making your hair appear thicker, but don’t bleach your hair if it’s already damaged.[4]
  4. Step 4 Get extensions. 4 Get extensions. If you have extra scratch to spend, you can invest in professional hair extensions. You can also get clip-in extensions for a more affordable option. It seems to work for celebrities.
    • Remember, though, that you want volume, not length. If the extensions will only give you additional length, they won’t help disguise thinning hair.[5]
  5. Step 5 Get hair plugs or implants. 5 Get hair plugs or implants. This is perhaps the most drastic option, but if you’re facing serious and progressive hair thinning, it may also be the best option.
    • Be sure to do your research before committing to either at-home or professional hair enhancement. For more information on surgical procedures, see the American Hair Loss Association’s website.
    6. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Choosing the Right Style

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  1. Step 1 Use thickening shampoo. 1 Use thickening shampoo.[6] Look for the words “thickening” or “volumizing” on the bottle. Shampoos designed to thicken your hair’s appearance typically do so with ingredients that plump up your hair’s roots. Good Housekeeping has this ranked listing of available thickening shampoos.
    • Two-in-one shampoos tend to be ideal because they tend not to weigh hair down.[7]
    • Don’t wash your hair every day. Washing every day will strip your hair of natural oils that help it stay healthy and full.[8]
  2. Step 2 Avoid heavy conditioners. 2 Avoid heavy conditioners. Conditioners that are “hydrating” or “smoothing” or otherwise intensive will weigh hair down.
    • Be sure to rinse all of the conditioner out of your hair after applying so that the residue won’t weigh hair down.
  3. Step 3 Use the right blowdrying technique. 3 Use the right blowdrying technique. A good blowdrying strategy can go a long way toward enhancing your hair's fullness; the wrong technique, on the other hand, can exacerbate your problem.
    • If you blow dry your hair, begin by flipping your hair upside-down and dry until most of the dampness is gone.[9] Then flip your hair back over and blow dry the rest of your hair in sections using a round brush.
    • Using a diffuser can also help boost your hair’s volume if you have wavy or curly hair.[10]
  4. Step 4 Use the right flat-ironing techniques. 4 Use the right flat-ironing techniques. The aim of flat irons is to straighten and flatten hair strands, the opposite of the look you're trying to achieve. And because they use extreme heat applied directly to hair, they can damage hair, leaving it drier and brittle--again, the opposite of what you want if you have thin hair.[11]
    • If you absolutely must flat-iron, don’t iron ends straight down. Instead, turn them in ever so slightly for fuller hair.[12]
  5. Step 5 Use the right products. 5 Use the right products. Look for volumizing or thickening hair products. Volumizing mousse, hairspray, and texturizers can help your hair look thicker and fuller.[13]
    • Volumizing powder is relatively new to the scene and can help hair look fuller by fluffing it up at the roots.[14]
    • You can also find hair-loss concealers in many beauty supply stores.
  6. Step 6 Mousse hair overnight. 6 Mousse hair overnight. Before going to bed, apply a volumizing mousse to your wet hair. By the morning you’ll have texturized hair that may appear fuller.[15]
    • If you have long hair, braid the damp, moussed hair before going to bed for textured waves in the morning.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Using Natural Hair-Growth Methods

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  1. Step 1 Try aloe vera. 1 Try aloe vera. There are a number of rumored natural products that can help thicken hair, but the most consistently cited is aloe vera, which is believed to help seal in natural moisture and promote hair growth.[16]
    • To use aloe vera, apply an aloe vera gel (available at most drug stores) to your scalp, let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes, then shampoo as usual. You can even extract the gel straight from the aloe leaf.
  2. Step 2 Apply castor oil. 2 Apply castor oil. Another of the most frequently recommended options, castor oil contains fatty acids, vitamin E, and ricinoleic acid, which are believed to nurture your hair and scalp.
    • To use, apply several tablespoons of castor oil to your scalp and massage in. Be sure to choose an oil that is hexane-free. Repeat the process multiple times a week.
  3. Step 3 Rinse with apple cider vinegar. 3 Rinse with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is believed to both balance your scalp’s pH and provide it with beneficial nutrients.
    • As a bonus, because the vinegar will remove residue from your hair, it can also boost volume and soften hair.[17]
    • After washing your hair, pour about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar over your hair and then rinse.
  4. Step 4 Take vitamins. 4 Take vitamins. There are several vitamin supplements believed to help enhance hair growth. For more information, start with this list from WebMD.
    • Unfortunately, there isn’t yet a strong body of scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of vitamins for hair loss, so remember that it may not be realistic to expect a miracle solution.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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  • Question How can I make my hair look thicker? Courtney Foster Courtney Foster Licensed Cosmetologist Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan. Courtney Foster Courtney Foster Licensed Cosmetologist Expert Answer You can try washing your hair with a volumizing shampoo since it can make your hair sit up a little higher and makes it look thicker. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 13
  • Question What if there are patches over the scalp and hair stops growing there? Owls2014 Owls2014 Community Answer You can adjust your hair so that it covers the patches or use an eyeshadow/brow product to cover them. Some people like using the Loreal Root Cover Up spray. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 20
  • Question How do I make my hair thinner? Bruhkent Bruhkent Community Answer Stylists at hair salons will thin your hair if you ask. This is probably the only safe way to thin out your hair. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 8
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References

  1. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://www.everydayhealth.com/hair-loss-pictures/things-to-avoid-if-you-have-hair-loss-0208.aspx#02
  3. ↑ http://www.lifespan.com/tips-make-thin-hair-look-fuller/
  4. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a5535/longer-thicker-sexier-hair/
  5. ↑ http://www.everydayhealth.com/hair-loss-pictures/things-to-avoid-if-you-have-hair-loss-0208.aspx#03
  6. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ http://www.lifespan.com/tips-make-thin-hair-look-fuller/2/
  8. ↑ http://www.stylelist.com/read/10-tricks-to-make-fine-hair-look-thicker/
  9. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview
More References (8)
  1. ↑ http://www.stylelist.com/read/10-tricks-to-make-fine-hair-look-thicker/
  2. ↑ http://thetartan.org/2009/11/9/scitech/howthingswork
  3. ↑ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/thin-hair
  4. ↑ Christine George. Master Hair Stylist & Colorist. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/thin-hair
  6. ↑ http://www.glamour.com/lipstick/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/05/5-ways-to-make-your-hair-look
  7. ↑ http://www.lifespan.com/tips-make-thin-hair-look-fuller/2/
  8. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/organic-authoritycom/apple-cider-vinegar-beauty_b_1924171.html

About This Article

Christine George Co-authored by: Christine George Master Hair Stylist & Colorist This article was co-authored by Christine George. Christine George is a Master Hairstylist, Colorist, and Owner of Luxe Parlour, a premier boutique salon based in the Los Angeles, California area. Christine has over 23 years of hair styling and coloring experience. She specializes in customized haircuts, premium color services, balayage expertise, classic highlights, and color correction. She received her cosmetology degree from the Newberry School of Beauty. This article has been viewed 516,962 times. 120 votes - 84% Co-authors: 15 Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 516,962 Categories: Hair Texture Article SummaryX

To make thin hair look thicker, try blow drying your hair upside down when you get out of the shower so when you flip it back over it looks fuller. You can also try wetting your hair and applying a volumizing mousse before you go to bed, which will give your hair a thicker, texturized appearance in the morning. If you're up for a new hairstyle, try going shorter with your hair and getting layers cut into it since short, layered hair tends to look thicker. To learn how to make your hair thicker with natural hair-growth remedies, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Beauty Edwards

    Beauty Edwards

    Mar 20, 2016

    "Make sure that when you are brushing your hair, brush softly and smoothly, or more of your hair will fall out..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Christine George Co-authored by: Christine George Master Hair Stylist & Colorist Co-authors: 15 Updated: June 26, 2025 Views: 516,962 84% of readers found this article helpful. 120 votes - 84% Click a star to add your vote Beauty Edwards

Beauty Edwards

Mar 20, 2016

"Make sure that when you are brushing your hair, brush softly and smoothly, or more of your hair will fall out..." more Nayanika Kishore

Nayanika Kishore

May 19, 2019

"I used the info from the section how to thicken naturally, and my hair has become much thicker than before." Angela Rushing

Angela Rushing

Jan 10, 2018

"Adding the extensions to my fine hair." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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