Hair specialists explain the eight hacks for thicker hair with less breakage

By William On Oct 29, 2022

Big hair is back in fashion – but for many people it’s hard to maintain a look that’s thick and bouncy with thin and dull hair.

With millions of women across the country experiencing hair loss and alopecia, it’s no wonder TikTok is inundated with hacks related to your locks.

But do the tips and tricks shared by social media users actually do more harm than good?

Experts told FEMAIL that there are a number of hacks anyone can try at home to prevent hair loss and improve thickness.

HABIT: WEARING TIGHT HAIRSTYLES

Experts told FEMAIL there are some hacks anyone can try at home to prevent hair loss and improve thickness (stock image)

Working from home and hybrid work means messy buns and ponytails are more popular than ever this year, but while both may seem harmless enough, they can have a huge impact on hair follicles.

Hair transplant surgeon Dr. Furqan Raja explained that there are a number of reasons why women experience hair loss and one of the biggest culprits is overloading of the hair follicles, often due to tight hairstyles.

HABIT: USING ELASTIC HAIR BANDS

Using elastic hair bands can cause significant damage to your hair over time.

Celebrity Hair Stylist Lisa Laudat explained that traditional ties are breaking.

She would advise removing them completely from your everyday styling.

Lisa suggested opting for silk scrunchies instead, as you can wear them both day and night.

Silk scrunchies protect hair from damage and help prevent kinks, creases and frizz.

The soft and smooth material glides easily over the hair, reducing friction and subsequent frizz and breakage.

He said: ‘This is called traction alopecia and it is different from other types of hair loss because it is not caused by genetic factors.

“Instead, it’s caused by the stress placed on the hair follicles, often from the hair being pulled back too tightly.

“While this isn’t a problem if done occasionally, over a prolonged period of time it can have a negative effect on the hair follicles which can be damaged and even destroyed.”

It is not recommended to pull the hair too tight in ponytails, braids and dreadlocks for long periods of time.

HABIT: USE DRY SHAMPOO TOO FREQUENTLY

Despite being around for years, dry shampoo is more popular than ever, with a growing number of brands making their own product.

Dry shampoos contain ingredients that absorb grease, making hair look cleaner, but there are concerns about their content, such as propane and butane, which are common in many aerosols, including dry shampoos.

dr. Raja explains: ‘While occasional use doesn’t cause too much damage, using it regularly can lead to damage and possible breakage, or in severe cases, hair loss.’

And while other products don’t come into contact with the skin for a long period of time, dry shampoo is designed to stick around the hair root, potentially damaging hair follicles and stunting growth.

The Hair Transplant Surgeon advised people not to use dry shampoo every day, for optimal hair growth and health.

Dry shampoo is seen as a hero product – but using too much of the stuff can lead to severe cases of hair loss as the product sits around the root of the hair and affects growth (stock image)

HABIT: REGULAR DRINKING

While most people are aware of the way alcohol can affect the body in terms of weight gain, blood pressure and cholesterol, not many people think about the effect it has on our hair.

HABIT: FORGET TO TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS

Health and nutrition are an essential and important factor to consider when thinking about healthy hair growth.

Many of us may be deficient in essential vitamins and minerals because we don’t get enough of them in our diets, so vitamin supplements can be a good efficient way to make sure you get what you need.

dr. Raga said: ‘It’s important to recognize that these need to be tailored to your specific needs.

“For example, if you’re going through menopause, the supplements you need are likely to be different than someone experiencing stress-related hair loss.

“Also, while supplements can help improve the quality and thickness of your hair, it’s important not to expect miracles.”

dr. Raja explains: ‘While alcohol itself is not directly associated with hair loss, it can lead to dehydration, which can also dry out hair follicles.

‘Over a longer period of time, this can also increase the acid level in your body and affect protein absorption.’

“Together, this can have a negative effect on hair follicles and hair health, resulting in hair loss and loss.”

If you drink alcohol, make sure to avoid dehydration by alternating alcoholic drinks with plenty of water.

HABIT: SLEEPING ON THE WRONG TYPE PILLOW COVER

Once upon a time, the suggestion to forego your trusty pillowcase for a silk pillowcase seemed almost nonsensical.

But far from being an unnecessary investment, according to the experts, this is one purchase that can actually provide significant benefits to your hair.

Lisa explained, “At this point in the hair game it’s surprising if you don’t use silk products in some form, because why wouldn’t you?”

Silk, she said, can help your hair stay hydrated, preserve your hair’s natural oils and prevent breakage.

“This is especially important for anyone with curly hair that can get dry and break more easily than straight hair, but general silk hair products should be a staple for anyone looking to keep their hair in good condition.”

A silk pillowcase is a worthwhile investment as it keeps your hair hydrated, retains its natural oils and prevents breakage (stock image)

AND HOW TO FIX THIN HAIR… ADD VOLUME WITH HAIR EXTENSIONS

If all else fails, if you want to add some more volume to your hair, you can opt for clip-in hair extensions.

Lisa said, “Clip-in extensions are essential for a thick, voluminous look without damaging your hair in the long run.”

She revealed that you should choose a product that comes in full wefts and smaller sections.

Start on brush your hair thoroughly, then part your hair at the nape of your neck and tie the top part so it doesn’t get in your way.

Before clipping in your extensions, make sure they are completely brushed. After you’ve cut your extensions, you can separate your hair at the widest part of your head and add more extensions.”

And if all else fails, why not opt for hair extensions to add some volume. Be sure to choose a product that comes in smaller sections

OR HAVE PRP THERAPY

PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, works by drawing a small amount of blood and separating this blood in a centrifuge.

The platelet-rich plasma contains stem cells and growth factors that are separated from your blood and injected into the scalp.

dr. Raja explains: ‘The growth factors then stimulate the activity of the hair follicles and promote hair growth.

“It takes a few minutes to draw blood and then about 10 minutes to spin it in the centrifuge to separate it.

“After that there is no significant downtime or scarring and by six weeks most of my patients will begin to notice a response, usually describing thicker, better quality hair.”