If thicker, healthier-looking hair is on your holiday (and every day) wish list, we have spectacular news: you can achieve it using products that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Before you run to your nearest luxury beauty shop and stock up on all of the most expensive shampoos, conditioners, and serums, you may want to consider simply opening up your fridge or pantry — or thinking about what you can add to your supplement routine to boost your hair’s health. Even if you weren’t born with naturally thick hair, there are always ways to make your strands look more luxurious, shiny, and bouncy. We spoke with two hair experts who recommended three essential products you should be using to grow thicker hair.
Eggs
In most cases, it is hard to change the texture of your hair but when it comes to volume, but one can use hair products to build up volume, says Alice Rawling, a hair stylist and chief editor at Hairdo Hairstyle. Your can also work towards preventing hair breakage and loss — something that can be accomplished with an ingredient you probably have in your fridge: eggs.
“Eggs are rich in protein and enhance rich, thick and strong hair,” Rawling said. “The process is mixing one or two eggs then applying the mixture in the scalp and leaving it up to 30 minutes to relax. Once the time elapses, rinse the hair with warm water and shampoo. In other cases, one can combine the eggs with oil and water. Weekly application of this method strengthens and thickens the hair.”
Olive Oil
A pantry staple, olive oil helps promote hair growth bringing it to the desired thickness, according to Rawling. “It also moisturizes the dry scalp and makes the hair softer,” Rawling said. “Adding honey to olive hair is also a remedy to achieving hair thickness.”
While we’re on the subject of great topical treatments that involve healthy foods, Rawling reminds us not to sleep on the importance of a proper diet that is rich in fats, proteins, and vitamins to help thicken the hair. “Sometimes, thin hair is a result of a person who does not eat a balanced diet,” Rawling said.
Hair Supplements
There are so many great hair supplements on the market, which is wonderful because you can choose one based on your budget — but it’s even more important to pay attention to the ingredients each contains to make sure you’re choosing an effective option.
Akirashanti Byrd, the co-founder and CEO of Curl Centric, says these are the ingredients to look out for:
1. Biotin – “This is a vitamin B complex commonly found in supplements and is claimed to help promote hair growth by helping to form new hair cells,” Byrd said.
2. Minerals – “Major minerals like zinc and iron are essential for hair growth, and a deficiency can lead to decreased hair density and shaft length,” Byrd said. “Supplements that contain these minerals are often recommended for people who want thicker locks.”
3. Vitamins A, C, and E – “These vitamins are essential for collagen production, which is important for healthy skin, nails, and hair,” Byrd said. “Vitamins A, C, and E can also help protect the scalp from damage caused by environmental factors like sunlight or pollution.”
4. Ashwagandha – “This herb is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to promote hair growth by increasing the production of sebum (a natural oil),” Byrd said. “Additionally, ashwagandha has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce anxiety symptoms.”
Before you start a new supplement, it’s a good idea to check in with your dermatologist to be sure there aren’t other underlying causes of your hair thinning (like medications you’re taking) that could be culprits. Otherwise, give these three essential products for thicker hair a whirl — they may make you swear off your more pricey products for good.
