So you have thin hair… now what?

Whether you’ve always had thin hair, or have noticed an increase in hair thinning recently, it can really affect your self esteem. Thankfully, with the right styling tips and advice, thin hair can become much easier to work with.

We spoke to Anthony Pearce, Specialist Trichologist (Anthony Pearce Trichology) at Hair Loss Clinic (www.hairlossclinic.com.au) and Aleks Abadia, Co-Founder & Hair Director of Esstudio Galleria (esstudio.com.au), about what you can do if your hair is thin.

Lighten your colour

Contrary to popular belief, dyeing already thinning hair won’t exacerbate the issue. In fact, going a few shades lighter – with the help of hair contouring and highlighting – can be a useful way to give the appearance of thicker hair. “Colour placement and tones give the idea of thicker hair,” says Aleks. “They give the impression of depth and thickness.” Permanent hair colours are best for this, as they penetrate the outer cuticle of the hair and swell the shaft, fattening each individual hair, resulting in an overall appearance of thicker hair.

Change your part

A common side effect of hair thinning is an increase in the width of your part. If yours appears to be growing wider, exposing more of your scalp, dyeing your locks lighter can also make the part less obvious. Similarly, changing up your part is a quick way to give the appearance of volume. Flipping your hair as you dry from side to side will accentuate lift and give volume, says Aleks.

Work with what you’ve got

While you might not be able to change your hair type, there are certain styling techniques that assist in making thin hair appear thicker. Unlike blasting the hair dry from above, which can lead to the hair drying flat, blow-drying the hair upside down is the best way for thin hair to gain volume, says Aleks. Another blow-drying technique to try is using your fingers to constantly move the hair as you dry it. This stimulates blood flow and circulation in the scalp, which can stimulate hair growth. “Using a large brush in an upward motion will also accentuate volume,” says Aleks.

Look at your diet

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital to the overall appearance and condition of your hair, and Anthony says for women, this especially lies in a diet rich in proteins and nutrients to maintain healthy hair growth. “Certain vegetables are better for women,” says Tony. “They call them brassicas or cruciferous vegetables such as kale, bok choy, brussel sprouts and broccoli. All these are better for you as women, because they help regulate your estrogen levels,” which can be directly linked to hair loss behaviour. “Protein is also so important, because your hair is around 99 per cent protein, so by incorporating it into your diet, you are essentially feeding your hair,” says Anthony.

If your diet needs an additional helping hand, you could also incorporate a booster such as Viviscal Maximum Strength Dietary Hair Growth Supplements into your daily routine. It contains key nutrients such as biotin, zinc, silica and iron which nourish the hair and promote healthy hair growth from the inside.

Take a break

Did you know that too much stress can wreak havoc on your hair? While we might joke about being so stressed that our hair falls out, there’s actually truth in the saying. Too much stress taxes the adrenal glands, and pumps excess cortisol into the body, which breaks down proteins and vitamins that can cause your hair to thin.

Listen to your body

While many things can be attributed to hair loss, it’s always a good idea to consult your GP or dermatologist to determine the source, particularly if the loss is sudden or unexpected. “Hair is like an early warning light on your dashboard that something’s not right,” says Anthony. “Listen [to] your body,” he adds. Abnormal activity such as excessive hair loss should not be ignored, because it can be “such a diagnostic tool to what’s really happening in the body”.