The desire for thicker, longer and healthier hair is something that we all strive for. From expensive hair supplements to magic hair growing oils – the majority of us are prepared to do (or purchase) anything that will get us beautiful, thick luscious locks.

While there might not be a way to change the texture of your hair follicles, there are a number of things you can do to encourage hair growth and reduce hair loss and breakage.

Let’s look at five effective – and natural – ways you can get thicker hair!

Eat smarter

Although genetics determine your hair texture and curl, your diet plays a huge role in how those genes are expressed. If you want healthier and thicker hair, you’ll need to take a close look at your diet, and implement some positive changes.

A nutritious diet full of healthy fats, protein and a range of vitamins can help with thin or thinning hair. Start to include more of the following nutrient rich foods in your diet:

  • Eggs (they contain protein, iron and omega 3)
  • Salmon (which is high in fatty acids and proteins)
  • Almonds, walnuts and other nuts (great sources of fatty acids)
  • Black, green, pinto and other beans (which contains proteins)

Wash and style smarter

Have a good think about your current hair washing routine – do you take the time to wash and style properly, or do you do whatever gets it done the quickest?

The way you wash and style your hair can have a big impact on your hair’s health. If you’ve invested in good quality products, it’s important that you take the time to apply them correctly as well.

Shampooing – when washing your hair, only apply the shampoo to your scalp – not the ends of your hair. Take 2-3 minutes to gently massage the shampoo into your hair, and be sure to rinse it out completely before going onto the next step.

Conditioning – apply your conditioner to the ends of your hair only. Pay particular attention to the oldest, most damaged sections of your hair. Starting at the bottom and working your way up, distribute it through your ends with either your fingertips or a wide tooth comb. Leave the conditioner in for as long as possible (ideally at least 5 minutes).

Styling – whether you’re using a leave in treatment, mousse, gel or cream, be sure to apply the product evenly. For best results, section your hair into 2-4 parts and apply to each section.

Find the right products

Different hair types require different products that cater to their exact needs – so if you’re washing and conditioning your hair with a cheap product you grabbed from the supermarket, you’re doing your hair no favours!

With the right hair products, you can dramatically improve the condition of overall health of your hair and scalp. For those with thin or fine here, try looking for a volume building shampoo and conditioner.

The Redken Cerafill Retaliate range is a great choice for both men and women – it works to stimulate and nourish the scalp to produce visibly fuller hair.

Ditch the heated styling tools

We know just how hard it can be to take a break from your straightener or hair dryer – but if you want thicker, healthier hair, it’s time to put the tools down. Keeping your use of heated styling tools to a minimum will lessen hair damage – and you’d be surprised as to the huge difference it can make.

If you can’t say “goodbye forever” to your heated tools, make sure that when you do use them, you apply a quality heat protectant product spray or cream to minimise the damage.

Consider a cut

Regardless of how hard you try, long fine hair often ends up looking stringy and flat – and that’s because the texture is weighed down by the length.

You can freshen your locks and add some bounce back to your hair with a haircut. By cutting your hair, you can take away the bulk without removing thickness – so your hair will naturally look fuller than before.

We provide free consultations, so you can sit down and chat with one of our stylists and have a chat about what kind of haircut will work best for your features and hair type.