As we journey through midlife and beyond, it’s not unusual to notice hair changes happening. Often marked by thinning strands, a change in texture or colour and reduced volume, these things – which are entirely normal and often linked to hormonal shifts – can be a source of frustration and impact our confidence.
While it’s true that hormones do have an influence on the overall health of hair, being armed with the right knowledge can help as there are a number of proactive steps we can take to counteract the impact of these changes.
From scalp treatments to volumising shampoos and even weekly microneedling, we explain how to achieve thicker, fuller-looking hair from home.
Hormones and thinning hair
As Stefanie Daniels, founder of Life Begins at Menopause explains, high levels of oestrogen help hair remain in the growth phase longer, which is what helps promote thicker, healthier strands.
“However, as we approach menopause, oestrogen levels naturally drop, which can lead to thinning and a slower growth rate,” she says.
Nishtha Patel, clinical nutritionist at The Gut Expert, agrees, adding that thyroid levels can play a part, too. “These hormones are essential for a healthy hair growth cycle. Whether it’s too much or too little, an imbalance or disruption to thyroid levels can lead to thinning or loss,” she explains.
It’s also worth noting that hormones can also influence hair colour.
“Oestrogen has a regularity effect on melanocytes – the cells responsible for giving hair its colour – and so changes in hormones can play a role in a loss of pigment or a reduction in its vibrancy,” adds Joanne Hill, nutritional therapist at Amaranth Wellbeing.
It’s not just hormones that can impact hair thinning, though. “Certain nutrients, existing health conditions, stress levels and some medications can too,” says Joanne. “That’s why I always recommend a chat with your doctor or registered nutritional therapist who can arrange blood tests. This may check your ferritin (iron) and thyroid levels before anything else.”
But if you’re in the market for products that’ll have immediate and long-term benefits when it comes to helping make thinning hair look thicker, we’ve rounded up our favourites below…
13 products to help thinning hair look thicker
Percy & Reed Strength & Style Collection, £129
A six-piece collection designed to nourish, strengthen and style even the finest hair. Includes the Give Me Strength Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Concentrate, plus the brand new Heat Protect Spray, a volumising mousse and hairspray for complete styling from wash to finish.
Michael van Clarke Thicker Quicker Volumising Blowdry Spray, £21.50
A hero for thinning, midlife tresses. This spray instantly adds volume to leave hair looking fuller, without feeling dry or brittle. Expect lasting results, with plenty of swish.
Colorwow Youth Juice Collagen Scalp Serum, £44
Applied directly onto the scalp, this serum helps keep strands thick, strong and supple while also being proven to reduce shedding without leaving any build-up or causing hair to feel greasy.
Currentbody LED Hair Growth Helmet, £650
LED light is proven to have multiple benefits on hair and skin. While this piece of tech is expensive, a 10-minute daily treatment can increase hair growth rates. It can also help increase density and hair thickness.
KEEO Genius Pro+ Straighteners, £299
Wave goodbye to hair breakage and frizz. The Genius Pro+ Straightener offers custom heat and tension control for the ultimate in personalised styling. The contoured plates cushion hair, helping to curl, straighten and wave locks with up to 70% less tension than traditional straighteners.
Davines Energising Thickening Tonic, £58
A leave-in treatment that reinvigorates your scalp while adding natural volume to hair. It works by expanding the diameter of hair fibres for fuller-looking hair from the first use.
Living Proof Hair Density Serum, £54
Hardworking yet lightweight, this serum is powered by pea sprout extract to protect the scalp. Amaranth peptides encourage thicker-looking strands right from the root. Plus it has a cocktail of antioxidants and amino acids to help reduce the look of grey hair.
Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Shampoo, £31
Using unique polymers alongside hydrolysed pea peptides to add volume without drying hair out, the sulphate-free formula also works to restore and strengthen strands. BHAs gently exfoliate the scalp to create the ideal environment for encouraging growth.
Nioxin System Kit, from £38.75
A brand known and trusted for its ability to protect hair against breakage and encourage growth. These system kits are tailored for different hair needs. Each one contains three steps for thicker, fuller-looking hair.
Hair Gain Gummies, £29.99
Containing a blend of clinically-tested ingredients alongside essential vitamins and minerals to support healthy hair growth, these two-a-day gummies are bolstered with anagain. This ingredient, derived from organic pea shoots, helps to encourage fuller, healthier, longer hair.
Hair Loving Silk Renewal Conditioner, £18
This biotin-enriched conditioner is specially formulated to nourish and strengthen hair from the inside-out.
Scandinavia Scalp Activation Derma Roller, £35
Medical-grade stainless steel microneedles help stimulate hair growth and support scalp health. Using this derma roller once a week as part of your hair routine can help maximise the benefits of other products by increasing absorption.
Van Clarke Lifesaver Deep Sleep Treatment, £11
Beauty sleep for our hair! A deeply nourishing overnight treatment, infused with a cashmere protein complex to help transform the health, strength and suppleness of hair.
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