Ways to Thicken Fine Hair Naturally
Using herbs and essential oils in your hair is one of the most effective and healthy ways to thicken fine hair naturally. Below you’ll find a list of them along with the details on how they work at thickening up your strands.
If you have fine hair then, you know what it’s like to wonder if there’s a “magic” pill to make your fine hair thicker.
And, while there is no magic pill, there are some wonderful resources that God has given to us through nature. These resources come in the form of herbs and essential oils.
8 Herbs That Thicken Fine Hair Naturally
There are quite a few herbs that you can add to your hair care routines that will help you to add some “weight” to your fine strands. These include:
Fenugreek
One of the best herbs available to you for strengthening your hair is Fenugreek. This herb is native to the Mediterranean, parts of Europe and Western Asia.
The proteins and amino acids in Fenugreek help it to thicken fine hair.
It’s also great for smoothing the outer layer of your hair which is beneficial for detangling.
Want to learn more about the nutritional and therapeutic properties of Fenugreek? Check out this article written by Taylor and Francis here.
Amla
I discovered that I can no longer use Fenugreek. It causes a huge allergic reaction which I developed over time. So, it’s best to always test the herbs by patch testing before each use.
This is one of my absolute most used and favorite herbs. It’s not just good for thickening. It helps with hair growth. I like to use it as a pre-poo.
Amla contains something call Tannins which binds to the keratin proteins in hair, protecting it from damage and providing a thickening effect.
Without getting too science-y, tannins are simply compounds that bind to proteins and other organic compounds.
Henna
Probably, the king of all thickening herbs is henna. I’ve used henna for many year to fortify my fine natural hair.
Bhringraj
This herb works at the root level by nourishing it for thicker hair. Bhringraj is considered a medicinal herb that has the ability to increase the size of a hair follicle. Of course, like the other herbs it takes time and repeated use.
Ashwagandha
This herb is famous for preventing hair loss. So, while it’s not necessarily the physical action taking place to thicken hair, it works in a more holistic way.
Ashwagandha helps reduce stress which directly affects hair loss. Yet, it also provides your scalp with the nutrients it needs for healthier, stronger growing hair.
Cassia
Performing in a very similar way to Henna, Cassia builds up on the hair shaft with repeated use. It strengthens the hair and interacts with your hair like a protein treatment would.
Brahmi
The alkaloids in Brahmi help it to bind to the hair shaft, making it thicker. Alkaloids are naturally organic compounds that come from plants.
Just like the other herbs, you can use Brahmi to create a thick paste to apply to your hair for a nutrient rich hair mask.
Nettle
The herb, Nettle comes from the Nettle leaf plant. It can be used to create a hair rinse or mixed with other herbs.
Nettle can block the production of DHT which when over produced causes hair loss.
It’s a good practice to mix up how you use the herbs in your hair regimen from time to time. Add them to your DIY hair treatments, create a hair tea or add them to a deep conditioner that does not contain protein.
You don’t want to overdo it in the strength department.
Lastly, while there are other herbs that can help you in the thickening department, I won’t list them all here. It can be overwhelming the choices. What I’ve shared are sufficient to get you started.
Essential Oils That Help With Thickening Fine Hair Naturally
In addition to the above mentioned herbs, there are essential oils that you can add to your hair products. These essential oils include:
- Rosemary
- Cedarwood
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Clary seed
- Pumpkin seed
- Thyme
You can even take some of these essential oils internally. For example, Pumpkin seed oil is considered “essential” for preventing hair loss.
The way these work is by how they support the roots and hair follicle.
With regular use, adding 3-5 drops of an essential oil to a shampoo or conditioner is one of the most effectives ways to thicken fine hair naturally.
You can also combine them with some of the herbs mentioned above when creating your DIY hair masks.
Combine Essential Oils with Carrier Oils
When using essential oils topically for scalp massages, you need to dilute them with a carrier oil. Carrier oils help dilute the essential oils so they aren’t too potent. Even though they are natural, essential oils can cause skin irritation.
Carrier oils that can be used to “carry” essential oils include olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, organ oil, and more.
While there are many reasons a person’s hair may be thinning, for those with fine hair it’s simply about genetics.
Adding herbs and essential oils that strengthen to your hair regimen, is one of the most effective ways to thicken fine hair naturally and without caustic chemicals. This thickening is however, not a permanent solution. It’s temporary but with consistent and repeated use, the effects are cumulative.