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The hair styling pros have spoken.
The Gist
- Hair thinning is common and often signals underlying factors like genetics, stress, hormonal changes, aging, medical conditions, nutrition, or styling habits.
- Quick fixes like volumizing products and styling techniques can make hair look fuller instantly, while long-term solutions (medications, scalp care, procedures) target regrowth but take months.
- There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—identifying the root cause with a professional is key to choosing effective treatment and setting realistic expectations.
When you notice less hair on your head and more in the drain, your first instinct might be to panic. But, instead of going down an anxiety-induced rabbit hole down Google’s search pages, take a deep breath and acknowledge that thinning naturally happens — and you can take steps to minimize it.
A myriad of factors impact thickness and shedding, including genetics, nutrition, and even your daily styling regimen. Hair loss is stressful, yes, but it's also one of your body’s ways of flagging that something’s not quite right. To find out more, we turned to dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD, trichologist Helen Reavey, and hairstylist Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers for their expertise. Ahead, they share the most common causes of thinning hair, along with the best treatment methods to combat this common hair concern.
Meet Our Experts
- Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of skincare education site DermFriends.
- Helen Reavey is a board-certified trichologist and founder of hair and scalp-care brand Act+Acre.
- Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers is a celebrity hairstylist and the Joico global technical director.
Below, the experts share their tips and tricks for minimizing hair loss and creating the appearance of fuller, thicker strands both instantly and over time.
Causes of Hair Thinning
Genetics
You can thank mom for your perfect smile, and dad for your weird feet, but did they really have to pass down the hair-loss gene? Turns out, one of the most common sources of thinning hair is, in fact, androgenetic—or hereditary—alopecia. “Patients usually have a family history of thinning and notice thinning that extends to the frontal hairline,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. “Widening of the part is one of the first things female patients notice.”
Stress
“A major stressful event like a car accident, hospitalization, sudden loss of a loved one, surgery, or childbirth can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to temporary shedding, also known as telogen effluvium,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. (She notes that occasional stress is probably not the driver of hair loss.) However, if you get regular bloodwork and your cortisol levels prove to be consistently high, it could be worth implementing lifestyle changes to reduce your stress levels where possible.
Hormone Imbalances
“Hormonal changes, such as during menopause, perimenopause, or postpartum, can lead to hair thinning due to a reduction in estrogen levels,” says Reavey. This can also happen with conditions like PCOS, which often result in higher levels of testosterone. When your hormones are out of balance, it might come with other symptoms too, like mood and skin changes. If you think something might be up, tell your primary care provider or dermatologist, and they can help you get bloodwork done to get a read on your hormone levels.
Aging
While there are a number of things to look forward to as you get older—wisdom, smile lines, retirement—thinning hair is probably not one of them. Still, it is totally normal. “As we age, hair growth naturally slows down,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. She says this can lead to finer, silkier hair and a decrease in overall hair density.
Medical Conditions
“Certain medical conditions, like thyroid conditions and autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata and lupus, can contribute to hair loss,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. If you have these conditions, work with your specialist to devise a care plan. If you suspect you might have an underlying medical issue, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a specialist.
Insufficient Nutrition
Deficiencies in protein and certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids could play a role in hair loss, says Reavey. Raise your concerns to your doctor, and they may order a full bloodwork panel to see your levels. Learning what you're deficient in before reaching for a supplement can save you tons of time and money.
Styling
Traction hair loss can occur if you wear your hair in slicked-back styles, high ponies, and protective styles frequently. What’s more, Reavey says that excessive heat styling, coloring, and chemical processing can also make hair more fragile and fine over time.
Short-Term Remedies for Instant Results
Volumizing and Thickening Hair-Care Products
“Many people are focused on regrowing hair for more density and forgetting to also care for the hair that is still present,” says Walker-Rodgers. “For instant gratification on hair that is thinning, make the hair you have feel and look fuller with specific hair-care ingredients.” She suggests looking for formulas that include protein to strengthen hair, lightweight hydration to plump up strands, and some type of starch that will provide texture and make hair appear thicker.
Reavey recommends applying a volumizing dry shampoo on non-wash days. “Apply it at the root and wait 30 seconds so it can set, then massage it through your scalp in circular motions to distribute the formula through the hair, lifting at the roots to create volume,” she says.
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Styling techniques
To protect from breakage while you’re sleeping, go ahead and order that silk pillowcase you’ve been eyeing, as it’ll prevent friction (and frizz). Reavey recommends blow-drying your hair upside down or using this simple brush hack of pushing the hair up toward the root to add volume. Applying plumping, thickening mousses to damp hair, and then rough-drying with a blow-dryer can also deliver longer-lasting volume (heat can “activate” your styling products). Using hair extensions can also help you feel more confident about your hair while you figure out long-term solutions.
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Long-Term Solutions
Medications and Supplements
There are a number of clinically proven prescription options a dermatologist might suggest, depending on the root of your hair thinning. “Topical minoxidil 5 percent is effective but needs to be continued to maintain results, and low-dose oral minoxidil is another effective treatment for hair loss,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. However, minoxidil is not recommended if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, as it has been shown to cause birth defects. One alternative is rosemary oil, which was shown to be as effective as two percent minoxidil for hair growth, explains Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. She also notes that Ketoconazole shampoo has demonstrated clinical improvement in androgenetic alopecia.
Tips
According to Dr. Woolery-Llody, it's best to wait at least six months before deciding if any hair loss treatment is effective since results are not immediate.
Certain hair vitamins, such as Nutrafol, have also been shown in clinical studies to improve hair density. However, hold off on buying supplements until recommended to you by a medical practitioner, as too much of certain vitamins and minerals (like iron, selenium, and vitamin A) could cause more harm than good.
Nutrafol Hair Growth Supplements ($88)
PRP and Hair Transplantation
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, has been used for some time to heal tendons, ligaments, and muscles—but in recent years, it has shown promising results with regrowing hair, too. Essentially, the procedure uses plasma drawn from your blood and injected into your scalp. The nutrient-dense plasma can rejuvenate follicles in some cases.
“PRP is a good option, but we need more research to better understand the longevity of this procedure,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. Not to mention, it’s very expensive and not covered by insurance as it’s deemed an aesthetic procedure. “PRP can be successful for some people if done consistently, but if not done properly, it can cause scar tissue, permanently damaging the follicle,” says Reavey. So if you opt for PRP, ensure that you receive the treatments from a licensed dermatologist or nurse practitioner.
Dr. Woolery-Lloyd adds that hair transplantation is an established long-term solution. This surgical intervention involves taking small skin grafts from a part of your scalp with healthy, thick hair (most typically on the back and sides of your head) and transplanting them to a bald or thinning area of the scalp.
Proper Scalp Care
“I advise incorporating a peptide-rich daily scalp treatment in your routine,” says Reavey. Walker-Rodgers also suggests using a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment once per week to ensure that your hair and scalp stay hydrated and strong. A gentle scalp exfoliant or rinse will ensure you’re getting product build-up, oil, and other gunk out of your scalp to keep the follicles clear, adds Reavey.
Try giving yourself scalp massages every week (or every day). “Massages are known to increase blood flow to the scalp, helping the natural growth cycle and improving hair follicle health—not to mention they’re incredibly relaxing,” says Reavey.
The Results
Results depend on the cause of the hair loss. “Postpartum hair loss resolves within a year even without treatment, while hair loss from medical conditions can sometimes be more challenging,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. She says that hair thinning from aging or hereditary hair loss can improve with topical or low-dose oral minoxidil. However, it’s very challenging to reverse completely, adds Reavey. She also notes that stress-related hair loss—and any form of telogen effluvium—typically are resolved on their own. But it can be assisted with lifestyle interventions to soothe stress-related inflammation, such as meditation, good sleep, and regular exercise.
The Takeaway
When trying to figure out how to get thicker hair, either instantly or over time, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for someone’s hair may not necessarily work for yours. (Yes, even when the one-thousandth influencer tells you colostrum gave them mermaid tresses.) That’s why the first step to thicker tresses is figuring out the root of your hair thinning. This will set expectations and give you a realistic view of potential solutions and results. But before trying any remedy, schedule a visit with your dermatologist or trichologist first. They'll be able to guide you through your hair growth journey and help you figure out a treatment that's tailored to your individual needs.
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