Hair Thinned Too Much

Woman with hair that was thinned too much — Photo: Nikolai Kazakov/Shutterstock

Q: I thinned my hair too much the last few times I got it cut. Are there any shampoos or other remedies to make it thick again?

A: There is no magic serum or shampoo that can instantly make your hair thick again. The only true remedy is time. When hair is thinned, individual strands are structurally cut shorter to reduce bulk, so you have to wait for that new growth to catch up.

The danger of over-thinning is exactly why stylists generally recommend texturizing or thinning the hair only every third haircut. In the meantime, you can use these strategic care and styling steps to protect your hair and keep it looking as full as possible while it grows back:

1. Optimize Your Conditioning Routine

While keeping your hair hydrated is crucial to prevent breakage, over-conditioning or washing daily can weigh down thinned hair and make it look flat. Instead of heavy daily soaking, use a lightweight, volumizing conditioner in the shower, focusing it strictly on the mid-lengths to ends rather than the scalp. On non-wash days, protect your strands from environmental damage (like sun and wind) by using a very fine, lightweight leave-in conditioning mist.

2. Switch to Volumizing Products

Look for shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for volume. These products are designed to cleanse without leaving behind heavy residues, helping your thinned hair stand up at the root and look as full as possible when styled.

3. Hands Off the Thinning Shears

Avoid any additional thinning or texturizing until your hair completely fills back out. At your next appointment, tell your stylist exactly what happened so they know to steer clear of the thinning shears entirely. While you wait for nature to take its course, use these extra styling tricks to cheat the appearance of thickness and protect your remaining strands:

A. Rethink Your Styling Products

Avoid heavy waxes, gels, or oils, which clump thinned hair together and expose the scalp. Instead, opt for lightweight mousses, root-lifting sprays, or texturizing mists. These products coat the hair shaft to create friction and lift, giving the illusion of a denser mane.

B. Turn Down the Heat

Because your hair has lost the physical shield of a denser canopy, individual strands are more vulnerable to heat damage. Minimize your use of hot tools. When you do blow-dry, use a round brush at the roots to create lift, and always apply a high-quality heat protectant spray first. If possible, let your hair air-dry halfway before applying heat.

C. Consider a Blunt Trim

It might sound counterintuitive to cut your hair when you want it to feel thicker, but getting a slight, blunt trim works wonders. Removing wispy, over-thinned ends creates a clean, solid baseline, which instantly makes the rest of your hair look healthier.

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See also:

Thinning gone wrong

Should people with naturally curly hair have it thinned?

How to thin hair out