How do I get more volume in my thin, fine hair? We get this question a lot at Viviscal! Many women, especially those over 40, struggle with thinning hair and lack of volume. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with expert tips and tricks to add volume to thin hair. Whether you’re dealing with age-related hair thinning or naturally fine strands (or both!), these tips will help you achieve fuller-looking, more voluminous locks.
Understanding Thin Hair
Before diving into solutions, let’s address why some of us have fine or thin hair:
Genetics – Your DNA largely determines your hair type. If you have a parent with thin hair, you’re much more likely to have thin hair yourself.
Aging – Nearly everyone experiences some hair loss with age. Plus, hair follicles can shrink with age, leading to finer hair.
Hormonal changes – Pregnancy, menopause, and thyroid issues can affect hair thickness.
Nutritional deficiencies – Lack of certain vitamins and minerals can impact hair health.
Stress – High stress levels can lead to temporary thinning.
Thin hair presents unique styling challenges, like:
- Lack of body and bounce
- Difficulty holding styles
- Appearing flat, especially at the roots
- Becoming greasy more quickly
But don’t despair! You can transform the appearance of thin or fine hair with the proper techniques and products.
15 Secrets to Add Volume to Fine & Thin Hair
1. Use a Volumizing Shampoo & Lightweight Conditioner
A volumizing hair care routine starts with the right shampoo and conditioner. Viviscal Thickening Shampoo cleanses and stimulates the scalp, while Viviscal Strengthening Conditioner delivers nourishing hydration without weighing hair down. Both are formulated with hair building blocks biotin and keratin and fortified with marine collagen and seaweed extract. Together, they promote fuller-looking hair.
Some will tell you to skip hair conditioner if you have fine or thin hair because conditioner could weigh down your hair and make it look flat. However, keeping your hair moisturized is essential to prevent damage and breakage regardless of your hair type. Instead of skipping conditioner altogether, use a lightweight conditioner like Viviscal Strengthening Conditioner.
2. Skip the Towel
When drying freshly washed hair, a regular cotton terry towel can rough up the cuticle and cause breakage to fragile, wet hair. Instead, gently wrap hair in an old T-shirt or a bamboo hair wrap designed to absorb moisture without damaging it.
3. Choose a Thickening Serum
After you’ve washed your hair, apply a lightweight leave-in product like Viviscal Hair Thickening Serum. Viviscal Hair Thickening Serum coats each strand to reduce frizz, leading to thicker, fuller-looking hair^^. Whether you air dry or blow dry your hair, this is a great addition to your routine.
^^Use in conjunction with Viviscal Thickening Shampoo and Strengthening Conditioner
4. Prep for Blow Dry
Blow-drying fine hair is the best way to make it look thicker and fuller. But before you blow dry, you’ll want to apply a few extra products. First, spritz a volumizing spray on your roots. This will help create lift and hold for bouncier, more voluminous hair. Then, apply a heat protectant spray all over.
If you’re between wash days, use Viviscal Volumizing Dry Shampoo to add volume by absorbing oil. It also protects against heat damage. When you have thin or fine hair, you can’t afford to lose any hair to breakage from heat damage. If you have frizzy hair, you can also use Viviscal Thickening Serum to smooth flyaways, as mentioned above.
5. Blow Dry Your Hair
Blow drying your hair is a game changer when it comes to adding volume to thin hair—as long as you do it right. If your hair is soaking wet, start by rough drying it (drying your hair without a brush or concentrator). To create more volume at the roots, blow dry your hair in the opposite direction of how you want it to lay. Similarly, blow-drying your hair upside-down will create volume all over.
Once your hair is 80-90% dry, use a round brush to pull the hair taut and blow dry from the roots to the ends to help tame frizz. Use the lowest heat setting possible to minimize damage.
6. The Right Cut
Even if hair length is your goal, try a haircut for thin, fine hair with layers. Layers add volume and movement to fine and thin hair. However, it’s important not to get too many layers, as they can make hair look thinner. Tip: Always bring reference photos to the salon, especially when working with a new stylist.
7. Switch Up Your Part
Changing your hair part is a simple yet effective trick for instant volume. When you’ve worn your hair parted in the same place for a long time, the hair follicles along that part line become accustomed to lying flat in a particular direction. By switching your part to the opposite side or trying a zigzag part, you’re essentially “lifting” these follicles against their usual grain. This creates more root lift and volume, as the hair now stands up instead of lying flat. While this effect is temporary and will gradually settle over time, it’s an excellent quick fix for volume.
8. Choose a Flattering Hair Color
A good colorist is your secret weapon to make thin or fine hair look thicker and fuller. A skilled colorist can add three-dimensional, multi-toned highlights and lowlights that give hair the illusion of more volume. The hair color you choose can also make a difference in the perceived volume of your hair. Consider the following before heading to your next color appointment:
- Staying within a few shades of your natural color means your stylist won’t need to process your hair heavily to get the desired color. Heavy processing can mean damage, especially for fine hair.
- The more contrast between your hair color and your scalp color, the more scalp show-through will be obvious.
- Coloring light hair to a darker shade will create the appearance of thinner hair when roots grow out.
Read our article “How to Choose the Best Color for Thin Hair” to learn more.
9. Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Use a clarifying shampoo every two to four weeks to remove buildup that can weigh hair down. However, don’t use one too often, as it can cause dryness and fade hair color.
10. Try Rollers
Wrapping your hair in hook-and-loop fastener rollers is a great way to give it more volume at the roots. Use them to hold your hair back when styling or applying makeup. You can also use them for a day-two refresh. Velvet-covered hot rollers curl hair while adding bounce and volume at the root. They work best on clean, dry hair, so try them right after blow-drying.
Tip: You don’t have to do your whole head when using hook-and-loop fastener rollers. Just add a few to your crown and leave it for thirty minutes or so. Heat the hair using your blow dryer with the diffuser attachment.
11. Use the Root Clipping Method
Root clipping is a simple technique that can help boost wavy and curly hair volume. This method involves strategically placing metal or plastic clips at the roots of damp hair, particularly at the crown. As the hair air dries, the clips hold the roots upward, creating lift and volume that’s usually hard to get without a blowout. Just be careful not to put too much tension on the roots, which can cause breakage.
12. Try Dry Shampoo
Fine and thin hair is prone to oiliness, making hair limp or flat. That’s why dry shampoo is the secret weapon for those with thin or fine hair seeking volume. This powdery product works by absorbing excess oil at the roots. The added grip can also make styling easier and help styles hold longer.
We like Viviscal Volumizing Dry Shampoo because it instantly refreshes and restores volume and texture for fuller-looking hair+. It’s formulated with keratin and marine collagen to protect hair from heat damage caused by heated tools. Spray the dry shampoo into your roots and then massage thoroughly. Then, style your hair as usual.
Tip: Spritz your roots with dry shampoo before bed to let the product work its magic overnight. You’ll wake up with fresh hair!
+By removing oil
13. Change Your Pillowcase
Speaking of overnights, you may also want to swap out your cotton pillowcase for one made of silk or satin. Cotton fibers can rough up your hair’s cuticle, leaving you with a serious case of bedhead in the morning. Silk and satin have smoother fibers that allow hair to glide over them without damage. If you’re not up for changing your pillowcase, you can also protect your hair while you sleep by wearing a bonnet or headscarf.
14. Tie Up Your Hair
If your hair is long enough, try tying it in a silk, satin, or velvet scrunchie. Make a loose bun or ponytail at the top of your head, and you’ll wake up with more volume at the roots.
15. Try a Hair Growth Supplement
Healthy hair starts from within. Stress, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, aging, menopause, post-pregnancy, heredity, or hair treatments can impact the health of your hair and lead to thinning and excess shedding. Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements have been scientifically proven to nourish thinning hair and promote existing hair growth.* In a clinical study, women saw a 32% increase in the number of terminal hairs and a 39% decrease in hair shedding in just three months ◊◊◊*. In another study, 92% of women reported an improvement in hair thickness when taking Viviscal twice a day for 3-6 months◊◊*.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
◊◊◊ Self-assessment results on 60 women
◊◊ Self-assessment results on 35 women
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get more volume in my thin, fine hair?
To add volume to thin, fine hair, start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Use styling products like mousse or root-lifting spray on damp hair, then blow-dry hair upside down for maximum lift. Finish with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo to add body and grip to your style.
How can I make my thin hair look thicker?
To make thin hair appear thicker, opt for a cut with long layers that create movement without losing much fullness. Use thickening products that coat the hair shaft, and consider strategic coloring techniques like highlights and lowlights to add depth and dimension. Styling hair with textures such as waves or curls can also make hair look thicker than sleek, straight styles.
How do I make my hair less flat on top?
To combat flat hair on top, apply a volumizing root spray to damp roots before blow-drying. Use the “twist and clip” method: twist sections of damp hair, clip them to your head, and let them dry for added lift. Additionally, try changing your part or using a zigzag part to create instant volume at the crown.
Do layers give volume to thin hair?
Yes, layers can add volume to thin hair when done correctly. Long layers can create movement and the illusion of fullness without sacrificing length. Internal layers, cut into the interior of your hair, can add volume without changing the overall shape. However, be cautious of over-layering very fine hair, which can sometimes make it appear thinner.
Adding volume to thin hair doesn’t have to be a constant struggle. By incorporating these tips and tricks into your hair care routine, you can create the appearance of fuller-looking hair. Remember, finding what works best for you may require some trial and error, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and products.
This article was originally published on May 11, 2015. It has been updated with new information.