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Looking for a simple solution to thicken hair naturally? I’m always trying to find new ways to make my long and thin hair look thicker. But, many products you find in the store for volumizing hair contain harsh chemicals and can often cause more harm to your delicate hair. If you’re like me, you want to have full thicker hair that is both shiny and healthy looking and the best way to get this is by using only natural ingredients.
Not only are the harsh chemicals bad because they can be absorbed through your skin, but they can also cause your hair to break more easily or cause hair loss as well. When I was in college quite a few years ago, I used to tease my hair and spray it with hairspray to make it appear thicker. Even though it worked for some time, it just caused more damage to my hair and the toxic chemicals in the hair spray were frightening. But, there’s no need to use harmful chemical laden products, because there are several effective ways to thicken hair naturally!
Why is Thinning Hair so Common?
Over 60% of women have thinning hair or are dealing with some type of hair loss.
There are many health conditions and simple vitamin deficiencies that can cause hair to thin or thin hair may just be a genetic trait in your family. To treat thinning hair it is best if you can find out the cause. However, even if you don’t know the cause, there are many effective ways to thicken hair naturally that are very successful and simple to do. You can see results in just a few weeks to a few months!
Causes of Thin Hair
There are many causes that could be the reason you have thin hair or are experiencing hair loss. Listed below are just a few of the most common causes. In order to determine the underlying cause, you may want to see a Naturopathic doctor who can help you by getting appropriate blood tests to find out why your hair is thinning.
-Shampoo: If you’re shampoo contains harmful ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate, which has been linked to causing hair loss, switch to a natural shampoo immediately. Castile soap makes a great all natural shampoo.
-Copper Deficiency– A deficiency in copper can cause hair thinning and other symptoms such as fatigue. A lack of this mineral is common because it can be difficult to absorb and those who supplement often with zinc, have even more trouble absorbing it. Women who supplemented with cooper saw an increase in hair growth by 38%.
-Manganese deficiency- German researchers found that some women were deficient in this mineral and those who took 10mg daily re-grew their hair in just 3 months.
–Hypothyroidism– One of the most common symptoms is hair thinning. This is easy to check with a simple blood test.
-Vitamin D Deficiency– Hair loss is one of the primary symptoms of a deficiency in vitamin D.
-Hormonal Imbalance– A disruption in the balance of your hormones, such as estrogen or testosterone can cause hair loss.
-Stress – Due to increased cortisol levels, stress can cause hair thinning and hair loss.
5 Ways to Thicken Hair Naturally
1. Castor Oil:
Castor oil has been used successfully for many years for increasing hair growth, not only for your head, but also for eyebrows and eyelashes. It helped my mom grow back her eyebrows. It is well known for the many health benefits it provides including its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Castor oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids, ricinoleic acid, and vitamin E, in addition to many other minerals and proteins. These nutrients help nourish the hair and scalp to increase growth. Castor oil also increases circulation, which is critical for promoting hair growth.
How to use it: Take a few tablespoons of castor oil (use more or less depending on how long your hair is) and massage it into your scalp. Make sure to use pure castor oil that is hexane free.
It is a thick oil, so it may be a little difficult to spread. You can mix it with a thinner oil to make it a little easier to put on, like coconut oil. (Just mix 1/2 coconut oil with 1/2 castor oil). Continue to massage it into your scalp for several minutes, then begin to work it through the rest of your hair. Let it sit on your hair for an hour or two, then wash it out. Try to do this at least once a week or several times a week for better results.
2. Onion Juice:
Onion juice increases circulation and decreases inflammation of the hair follicles, which promotes hair growth and decreases hair breakage. The onion juice also acts as a natural antioxidant to reverse the damage caused by a buildup of hydrogen peroxide on the scalp, which is associated with hair loss.
See how to make onion juice and how to use it to thicken hair naturally in my post.
3. Ginseng:
Applying ginseng to treat thinning hair works because the beneficial compounds it contains help stimulate blood flow to your scalp and hair follicles, which aids in the regeneration of cells to promote hair growth. I use these American gingseng capsules. I empty the capsule and mix it with oil to make it easy to apply.
How to use it: Empty one ginseng powder capsule and add it to 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil (you can use coconut oil or jojoba oil). Stir the mixture and apply it to your scalp. Continue to massage it into your scalp for about 5 minutes. Repeat several times per week or daily.
4. Massaging Scalp:
One of the simplest ways to promote hair growth and reverse thinning hair is to just to massage your scalp daily. Massaging your scalp increases blood flow and promotes circulation to stimulate hair growth. Just use your hands to massage your scalp for about 5 minutes, two times a day. I do it once in the morning and once at night.
5. Essential Oils:
There are quite a few essential oils that have been shown to promote new hair growth and prevent hair breakage. Two of the most common that are used to increase hair thickness are: grapeseed oil and cedarwood essential oil. Grapeseed oil contains a high amount of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E which promotes thicker hair. Additional beneficial essential oils include lavender, rosemary, and thyme.
How to use it: Add 5 drops of one of these essential oils to 2 to 3 tablespoons of a carrier oil (coconut oil or jojoba oil works great). Mix them together and apply to your scalp with your fingers. Continue massaging it on to your scalp for about 5 minutes. Repeat several times a week.
2 Ways to Make Your Hair Look Thicker Instantly!
If you start using some of the above mentioned ways to thicken your hair, you should see results in a few weeks or within a few months. But, if you want your hair to have more volume and look thicker instantly, there are two natural ways to do it.
1. Baking Soda-
This is an easy way to thicken hair naturally instantly! Instead of washing your hair with shampoo, use baking soda. Typical shampoos leave behind residue that builds up on the hair shaft and can leave your hair flatter, more dull, and looking thin. To wash your hair with baking soda, take a 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda and add about 3/4 cup of water. Mix them together and it will form a liquid mixture that can be used in place of shampoo.
The baking soda removes the build up of residue and will instantly leave your hair looking thicker. With continued use it also works great because it stimulates the hair follicles and the exfoliation it provides can boost hair growth over time.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar-
After you wash your hair, take 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and pour it over your hair as a hair rinse. Do not rinse it out with water, leave it in your hair and dry as usual. The apple cider vinegar is full of nutrients and it helps balance the pH levels of your scalp. After you dry your hair you will see it will have instantly more volume. This is because the vinegar removes the build up of residue on your hair.
Not only is apple cider vinegar great for adding volume to your hair instantly, but with continued use it will also promote hair growth and decrease hair breakage due to its rich source of vitamins and nutrients.
My Results So Far
I’ve been using a combination of all of these methods to thicken hair naturally for a few years now and my hair is noticeably thicker. I currently wash my hair with either castile soap or my homemade coconut milk shampoo most days. Then, at least once a week I wash my hair with baking soda, which really helps to increase my hair volume as it removes built up residue. I always use apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. I continue to use all the methods to thicken hair naturally throughout the week; making sure to use castor oil, ginseng, or onion juice on my scalp at least once a week to maintain my increased hair growth.
Hi I just found your website and I was wondering how long you have to use the baking soda to get thick hair. My hair I can tell is thinner and I was going to try something to help it. I use a straighter when I need it for a few pieces of troubling hair. Hope I can try it soon!
You can use the baking soda daily or just as needed.
Can you still use heating tools when using these remedies. Like how you say you don’t rinse the acv out and leave it in.
Hello Lori, I want to try the onion juice and “no poo” remedy. Though I’m conflicted. I use temporary hair coloring like Natural Instincts by Clairol and Color Charm because it adds thickness to my hair. Can I continue this coloring monthly and also wash with the baking soda and condition with the ACV as a rince daily? Does temporary coloring defeat the benefits of your suggested remedies?
I used to use the same temporary color lol. I don’t think the baking soda or onion juice would effect the color. However, I haven’t used them on temporary color myself. I haven’t colored my hair in about 10 years. You should still get the benefits because the onion juice gets applied daily/or weekly and it will still be absorbed by the scalp.
can i use apple cider vinegar that is ultra filtered?
You can use any kind. I prefer the unfiltered kind myself.
Actually when I’m tensed about my hairs.they have become too thin.. Will applying baking sad on hair work?? When will I be able to see the results????
I noticed an improvement just after using the baking soda one time.
Hi, I am a man and does it works too for man’s hair?
Absolutely!
Hi lori
After suffering from hair fall for 6 momths my hairs have become very thin and are not growing acurately i need ur help ….i have started using olive oil but pls tell me some tips for growing my hairs and making them thick and how much time will it take? Pls help me or should i have a cut? ;but i dont wonna cause i want thick and long hairs initially i was having very thick hairs .
I haven’t tried using olive oil, so I’m not sure how long it would take to work.
Can you use coconut oil and baking soda together?
Sure!
a 1/2 cup of acv isn’t nearly enough to rinse out the baking soda paste? can’t i finish rinsing with water?
You can definitely rinse with water too!
I’m a graduate student and from 3 years I’m losing my hair rapidly. Although I’ve taken and I’m taking treatment but it seems of no use…. I’m very depressed kindly suggest me the best way to get thick hair…?
Hey Lori,
I have a question I have very dry hair and thinning by the minute it feels like. I just tried the castor oil and coconut oil mix. Is it okay to leave a little of the oil in my hair being that its so darn dry. About how long till I can may see a little difference in my hair texture.
The oil should help increase moisture. I always see a difference just after using it once.
In theory, could you mix some castor oil, grapeseed oil and ginseng powder together and apply? Or would any of these ingredients react with or lower the effectiveness of any of the other ingredients?
I don’t think they would lower the effectiveness. I think many use a combination.
I have worked with acv if you don’t rinse it out with water won’t your hair stink? Also I did do the baking soda and my hair is dry, would oil help to soften it up a bit?
I thought it would leave a smell. But I don’t notice any smell after I dry my hair. The apple cider vinegar really helps to moisturize. But, if it’s still too dry, you could use an oil.
Do you have to rinse out the ginseng after massaging it in?
I leave it in over night and then wash my hair the next morning.
Hi Lori,
I just wanted to know what I can do because my hair is thin like you can see my scalp more, if theirs anything you’d recommend me to try to thicken it or something please thank you..
Hope you find the suggestions in the post helpful
baking soda and ACV for a rinse, will this help the hair remain normally thick or we should done daily or how frequent? i am gonna try out this…lookin forward for ur reply…..
I use it daily instead of shampoo.
actually wht are u doing …………….
can u help me ?
my fore head is very big,i cannot take any hump on my hair
i can only simple hair styles
to LORI……..
Hi there, the post above may be helpful 🙂
Do you think buzzing my hair off and getting rid of all the thin strands that snap off will help with all the hair growth after using these remedies religiously? Will starting fresh help the process since it’s not trying to help whats already damaged.
I say No, getting rid of what you have may only make it worse or harder to grow back. I accidentally lost almost all of my hair due to getting wallpaper glue in my hair @ a job where we were removing old wallpaper in order to paint the wall. Boss failed to warn me that the old glue when wetted w/ the Zinser solution becomes activated…so my braid swung into the wall while I was working close to the wall to pull down the old paper as boss was spraying wall w/ Zinser paper remover solution or wetting solution, & he oversprayed some of that onto my hair too, & we were hit w/ a storm on East Coast that shut our power down & my water off, so I couldn’t shampoo the wallpaper glue out right away. Anyway, I lost all but about an inch of my hair close to my scalp, & trust me, you don’t want to go there! Wore a wig f/ about a yr. I was so embarrassed, but I don’t look good w/ short hair..I love long hair. Even had a Lifestyle Lift (expensive) because now my neck & saggy chin showed. But I think it is way harder to catch up than it is to start where your @ & increase the hair follicle size & health of hair & scalp, & get better nutrition internally, too, in case this may be playing a role in causing thinning. I’m going to try Lori’s recommendations. So, No, I wouldn’t “erase” what you have…starting over would be even harder on your hair, & I don’t see any benefit to it..only potential reversal/removal of what good you do have. Start from where your @ & continuously improve on it. Buzzing it all off will only set you backwards & lose time..but everyone is diff…maybe yours grows far faster than mine? Hope that helps. & maybe I’m too late w/ my advice.? you posted in Sept. of last yr., 2016…so maybe I’m too late. Maybe you already did a buzz cut. But I hope all is well & hair thickness & growth is improving immensely. I hope mine will, too! I’m taking Hair La Vie Hair Growth Vitamins, & just started about 2-3 wks. ago or so, & haven’t seen improvements yet. But they say give it I think 3 months to really notice a real change/improvement. I’m not here to promote any product..just sharing what I’m trying, personally. Have tried other similar brands of Hair Growth Vitamins in past…hadn’t noticed great or even minor improvement/results w/ those, but still trying. Will be giving these/Lori’s suggestions a try. & will look f/ black sesame seeds, is it?..that another commenter says are loaded w/ copper. & will look f/ that Alma Naturals Shampoo bar which another commenter’s husband uses w/ success f/ hair growth..although another commenter says she looked f/ it on their website & doesn’t see a product (shampoo bar) that specifically says “f/ hair growth”…& she asked commenter what name of it was..& that other commenter did not respond w/ answer. So, I will call them & see..because my hair is finer & thinner than Lori’s & I’m concerned about the Castille Soap either stripping my hair or hard to get out..& I’ve had issues w/ similar things before..so I’m a bit more skittish than most. I could ask my hairdresser, but he is 3 hrs. away, & very very expensive…& that is a hassle..but my hair is worth any investment of time & money..so I may try it. Just didn’t want to buy & have to return if didn’t work f/ me..but it might…so I won’t rule it out. I’ll try all of Lori’s recommendations.
I used to hav long n thick hair but in course of time may b since two -three yearsam losing my hair
Can u help me out with wat to aply to my hair
Thankz
Hi Lori
I have thin, dry and rough hair with lots of split end. Among mentioned methods, which one suits me.
Lori, I have very thin, rough and dry hair. I also have hair falland split end problem. Among the above mentioning methods which one suits my hair better ? Please help me.
*Mentioned
They can all be great when used in combination to get the best results.
A couple of months ago I had really thick hair. And it was very very thick. And now suddenly it’s got so thin now. How much time will it take for my hair to be naturally thick if I use onion juice and baking soda??
P.S MY shampoo contains Sodium Laurth Sulphate and I’ve been using it since I was 10. And I am now 12 .Plz reply
If you’re looking for a shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate, I like castile soap. In the study, those who used the onion juice saw results in 4 to 8 weeks.
Sometimes a buildup on my hair will make it appear thinner. I shampoo with baking soda and have instant improvement. It couldn’t hurt to try it.
Below are the list of ingreadients in my shampoo. Please could you let me know if i should change it?
Aqua (Water), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Biotin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ethyltrimonium Chloride Methacrylate/Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein Copolymer, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Coco-Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Parfum (Fragrance), Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, CI 60730 (Ext. Violet 2).
You can look up the ingredients on EWG site to see what hazard rating they have. There are lot more natural shampoos than the one you’re using. I like castile soap myself.
Hi,
I have used several methods through diff website and the result were useless. but i sud say; your remedies are D Best 🙂
i used the baking soda & Acv method and i saw the difference in just on wash.
i am very happy and it would be grateful if you could post something on dietary supplement.
tysm!
Thanks! You might find my post on using onion juice for growth also helpful 🙂
So baking soda and acv for volume and shine. And the onion for growth?
Yes!
I will definitely try the baking soda and acv…its cheap and its worth a try, being that I’ve tried so many other stuff….I had full, very thick hair, but not again…..hoping to get positive results. I use alot of castor oil and coconut oils, even GNC hair/Nail/Skin, and still hair drops bad. Skin improved drastically though….will let u know the results with the baking soda and acv…..thanks so much for the info
Hope they work for you!
I wanted to ask, which is the most effective and fastest? Xx
I think the two that I have been the most consistent with and think are making a difference are the castor oil and massage.
Does the above work for African natural hair?
Yes, the methods for increasing hair growth should work just the same.
Hi
My situation is completely different, i nearly died from a blood clot on my lung, i had been put on wafarin (blood thinner made from rat poison – yes its real and scary) this made me lose half of my beautiful crop. I now have very thin hair! I was on tne medication for 6 months and am concerned. It looks terrible and makes me feel very low! How can i reverse whats happened??
Thanks so much!!
Hi Rey, so sorry to hear that. Hope you are seeing an improvement and one of the natural remedies helps 🙂
Herb” Fo-Ti” is great for growing hair and preventing your hair from going grey. Also black sesame seeds are excellent for hair, because they have a great amount of copper. And you can also utilize copper pyramid( for meditation use) , when you seat inside it your body will absorb copper, through the energy flow. Good Luck! 🙂
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much!!! You are so Beautiful!!!!
Aw..thank you! You are so sweet!
Hi,
I read your article.. Its really great…! I hv a query reharding onion juice. You mentioned i should be applying that daily at night fr 30 mins. So is it like i am supposed to shampoo my hairs daily then? As i thinkbit will b greasy then .. So wont that be harmful.. Applying shampoo daily?
Also please let me know can we completely replace our shampoo with baking soda and conditioner with ACV? And how frequently we can apply that.
I left it on for about an hour to a few hours and then washed it out with shampoo. I’m not sure if washing with baking soda would remove the onion smell enough.
Actually, i am really nt concerned abt onion smell. Just tell me:
1. can we completely replace shampoo with baking soda or should we mix it with some amt of shampoo as well.
2. Should vinegar be poured over the scalp? Or only throughout the length of the hairs.
For the no-poo method, they replace shampoo with baking soda. I pour apple cider vinegar mixed with water over my whole head and the length of my hair as a conditioner.
So using the acv with your water mix as a conditioner does that mean you rinse it off after like you would with normal conditioner. Or you just pour it over head and then towel dry?
I pour it over my head and then towel dry.
Olive oil works best for me,just massage it on your scalp and leave for 30 mins or more.I noticed that my hair fall is decreasing.I also tried it with aloe vera and onion juice it made my hair shinier.
That’s great!!
Hi! I’m looking for a routine/remedy that would help my hair. It is thin, dry, and it gets wavy/frizzy during the day. I want to moisturize it while also increasing it’s thickness and volume and keeping it straight. If you have any ideas please let me know what I could buy and also the process of using the products. Thank you! 🙂
Apple cider vinegar is surprisingly very moisturizing and gives good volume. I use it as a conditioner and it always makes my hair look fuller immediately after.
Do I just pour acv on after I shampoo? And leave it on or rinse it?
I leave it on, but you could rinse it out if you like.
Hi , thanks for this very informative article .
Lately I’ve noticed my hair had gone thin and weak .
I just realised now after reading this , it’s because I have been using shampoo that contains the harmful ingrediant sodium laureth sulfate ,( which I had never heard go until now )
I checked my shampoo to see if it contains this , I found it does .
I will stop using this shampoo from now on .
Thanks again .
Hey!!! My haier is genetically thin…And I started using onion nd coconut juice…What else can I do for the thickening of hair soon????
You may want to consider some of the additional remedies I listed in the article, like massaging and lavender oil.