How to Get Thicker Hair: A Guide for Women with Thinning Hair
If you’re a woman struggling with hair loss, you’re not alone. Studies suggest that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss in their lifetime, with female pattern hair loss being one of the most common causes. This can lead to bald spots, excessive shedding and thinning hair.
If you’ve noticed your hair looks or feels thinner, try not to worry. There are several ways to encourage hair regrowth and make hair appear thicker and fuller. Read our guide to find out the causes of hair loss in women, how to thicken hair naturally, and how Nioxin can help.
Causes of hair thinning in women
Pinpointing the cause of your hair loss is the first step to addressing the problem. Work with your healthcare provider to help identify the underlying cause. Common causes include:
- Hormonal changes – pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause hormone changes can affect hair thickness
- Stress – stress, anxiety and traumatic events can have an impact on the hair’s growth cycle, leading to hair loss
- Family history – some women are genetically predisposed to female pattern hair loss if it runs in their family
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Underlying health conditions including anemia, vitamin deficiencies and thyroid issues
- Certain medications, including some treatments for high blood pressure and gout
- Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Science-backed ways to thicken thinning hair
The good news is that there are ways to manage thinning hair and thicken hair naturally – either by promoting regrowth or making the hair you have appear thicker.
Depending on the cause of your hair loss, these management and treatment strategies may help improve hair density and restore confidence:
- Work with your healthcare provider to manage any underlying health conditions
- Change medications that might affect your hair
- Take supplements to address any vitamin deficiencies
- Manage stress with lifestyle changes including improving sleep habits and being more active
- Reduce use of bleach or chemical treatments as they can cause damage to your hair
- Change your hair styling routine to avoid traction alopecia – a form of hair loss caused by repeated pulling on hair follicles
- Scalp microneedling
- Hair loss medications like minoxidil.
Best hair growth products and ingredients for women
Ingredients to look for in hair growth products
When looking for the best hair growth products for women, there are a few ingredients to keep in mind. Our recommendations are:
- Minoxidil – an FDA-approved topical treatment that helps stimulate hair growth.
- Biotin – also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, biotin is routinely included in treatments for healthier hair, skin and nails. If your hair thinning is due to vitamin deficiencies, taking biotin supplements could help
- Caffeine – caffeine can have hair growth effects for women when applied to the scalp.
Nioxin hair growth products
Support scalp health and improve the appearance of thinning with Nioxin’s hair growth products.
- Nioxin System Kits: Each System Kit includes a shampoo, conditioner and leave-on treatment designed for natural or colour-treated hair with light to progressed thinning.
- Hair Fall Defense Serum: A leave-on scalp treatment formulated to strengthen hair anchorage and approve the appearance of thicker hair. Powered by SANDALORE™, caffeine, lauric acid, and niacinamide to support a healthier scalp environment.
- Night Density Rescue Serum: An overnight treatment that helps to promote scalp health, encourages growth and reduces hair breakage while you sleep.
- Volumizing Mousse: Add fullness and body for thicker-looking hair. Formulated with thickening polymers that wrap around each hair strand, forming bonds between them.
- Thickening Gel: Adds body, texture and definition to your hair, allowing you to style your hair with flexible hold without compromising on keeping natural movement.
When to see a specialist about hair thinning
If you suspect you have hair loss for any reason, and are worried about it, it’s worth seeing your healthcare provider before the condition progresses.
Many cases of hair thinning in women can be helped with lifestyle and hair care changes, but if your case needs more treatment, your healthcare provider or dermatologist may recommend treatments like:
- Medications like minoxidil
- Wigs
- Steroid injections or creams
- Immunotherapy
- Light treatments
- Hair transplant.
Nioxin's hair care solutions for thinning hair
From hair growth serum for women, to thickening shampoos containing caffeine, explore Nioxin’s range of hair care products specifically designed to help women with thinning hair.
Start by using our Hair Fall Defense Shampoo daily, massaging it into your scalp for two minutes, for visibly less hair loss in 12 weeks*. Follow with our leave-in Hair Fall Defense Serum to improve hair density.
Or, choose one of our Nioxin System Kits– hair thickening kits containing shampoo, conditioner and serum based on your hair type. Choose the best system for your hair to help create the appearance of thicker, fuller-looking locks.
*After a 12-week clinical study among 30 consumers with hair loss.
Frequently asked questions about hair thickening for women
Can thin hair become thicker again in females?
Yes, in some cases. Sometimes thinning hair might correct itself on its own, while women with female pattern hair loss may need treatment such as minoxidil, laser treatment or supplements. Using thickening shampoo and hair care products in any case can help with hair density and volume, helping you feel your best when struggling with thinning.
What is the most effective treatment for female hair thinning?
There is no one treatment for thinning that works for everyone. The most effective treatment will depend on the cause of your hair thinning and its severity.
However, for most cases of female pattern hair loss, a varied regimen of minoxidil medication, hair care treatments and lifestyle changes may be the most effective action.
Do hair growth supplements actually work for women?
Supplements may work for thinning hair if the cause is found to be vitamin deficiency. Speak with your healthcare provider to find out whether vitamin supplements could help your hair thinning.
Does scalp massage help thicken hair?
Some research suggests that regular scalp massages can lead to thicker hair over time, by stimulating the hair follicles to promote growth. This can be done with just your fingertips or with a specialist scalp massaging tool or device.
When should women see a doctor about hair thinning?
If you’re worried about hair thinning, speak with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early detection and action can help restore hair growth and stop hair loss from progressing. Sources: Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women Alopecia UK, https://www.alopecia.org.uk/traction-alopecia-hair-loss Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/biotin-hair-growth Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/coffee-in-hair#benefits WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/ss/slideshow-ways-to-help-hair-grow-faster-stronger NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/ Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair-health/its-not-too-late-to-save-thinning-hair Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/scalp-massage-for-hair-growth