How To Grow Thicker Hair That’ll Have Everyone Saying ‘Hair Goals!’

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Hair-thickening shampoos and sprays might give you a temporary boost, making your hair look fuller for a day. But we both know you’d be back to square one once you wash it out.

Growing thicker, healthier hair is more than just a trip to the beauty aisle. It’s about smart, science-backed habits and a touch of dedication.

Well, good news. We’re about to dive into the real deal. By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly what to eat and how to take care of your scalp to grow thicker hair strands. Let’s go!

First Off, Eat Healthy to Grow Thicker Hair.

What you put on your plate directly fuels your hair follicles. So, focus on your nutrition first. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Protein Up

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Your hair is literally made of keratin, which is a protein. If you’re skimping on protein, your strands will feel it.

So, load up on protein-rich food like:

Eggs
Chicken
Fish
Lean Beef
Quinoa
Cottage Cheese
Lentils
Greek Yogurt
Almonds
Milk
Pumpkin Seeds
Turkey Breast
Shellfish
Peanuts

Pro Tip: Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast like eggs or a Greek yogurt smoothie to kickstart thicker hair growth.

2. Eat Your Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that improve scalp health, making it a fertile ground for thicker strands.

To make sure you’re getting enough omega-3s:

Swap out your usual cooking oil for flaxseed oil in your salad dressings.
Incorporate a fish day twice a week. Bake a fillet of salmon with herbs and lemon for an easy dinner.
If you’re a vegetarian, blend chia seeds into your morning smoothie or overnight oats.
Sprinkle flaxseed powder over your smoothies, salads, and meals.

Pro Tip: You can also consider a high-quality fish oil supplement. However, always consult with your doctor first.

3. Add Collagen to Your Diet

Collagen not only strengthens your hair but also enhances scalp elasticity, which helps sustain thicker growth.

Here are three ways to add collagen to your diet:

Buy a high-quality, unflavored collagen powder and mix it into your coffee or tea.
If you’re more into cooking, make a batch of bone broth (a collagen-rich staple) and use it as a base for soups or stews.
Look for collagen-enriched hair products and use them consistently. However, this is optional. It’s best to focus on consuming collagen.

4. Give Biotin Supplements a Chance

Biotin (aka vitamin b7) is your hair’s bestie. It boosts keratin production and makes strands stronger and thicker.

While foods like eggs, almonds, and sweet potatoes are biotin-rich, if you want to see noticeable results faster, a supplement might be the way to go. Look for biotin capsules that contain at least 2,500 mcg, but always check with your doctor to ensure it’s right for you.

But don’t rely solely on supplements! Pair this with a balanced diet to see real improvement over time.

5. Get Your Daily Dose of Zinc

Zinc is essential for maintaining your scalp’s natural oil production, which is crucial for thicker hair. So, stock up on zinc-rich foods like spinach, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, oysters, and shellfish.

And if you prefer supplements, choose the one with about 8-11 mg for daily intake (with your doctor’s approval, of course). You can combine it with vitamin C for better absorption.

Next, Take Care of Your Scalp Grow Thicker Hair.

Your scalp is pretty much like the soil for your hair. When you nourish it well, you create the perfect environment for healthy hair follicles to thrive, which means thicker hair strands for you.

Here are some basic but essential scalp-care tips I swear by:

1. Massage Your Scalp, but Carefully

A good scalp massage doesn’t just feel divine—it boosts blood flow to your hair follicles, delivering the nutrients they need to thrive.

Here’s how to do it right:

Use your fingertips (not nails) and apply gentle pressure in circular motions. Don’t be too aggressive.
Focus on the entire scalp, spending at least 5-10 to really get the blood flowing.
Pair it with nourishing oils (I’ll discuss that next.)

Important Note: If your hair strands are too thin or weak, chances are an oil massage can worsen your hair fall (I had the same problem a few years ago). In such a case, focus on getting proper nutrition first to make your hair follicles stronger from within so they don’t break when you massage your scalp.

2. Use Nourishing Oils to Massage Your Scalp

While massages improve your blood circulation, one done with a good hair oil can also deliver essential nutrients directly to your hair follicles. This boosts the strength and thickness of each strand over time.

Below I’ve mentioned three hair oils for thicker strands and how you can apply them:

Rosemary Oil (Best for Thicker, Stronger Strands)

Mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Massage it into your scalp for 5-10 minutes. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight) for deeper nourishment.

Use it twice a week for best results, and always dilute it to avoid irritation

Coconut Oil (Reduces Protein Loss from Hair)

Warm a tablespoon of coconut oil (not hot) and massage it into your scalp and through your hair. Leave it on for 1-2 hours or overnight if you prefer.

Rinse thoroughly with a gentle shampoo to avoid a greasy residue. Use once or twice a week.

Argan Oil (Reduces Breakage and Improves Strand Elasticity)

Use a few drops of pure argan oil and massage it into your scalp and hair ends. You can leave argan oil in as a leave-in treatment or wash it out after an hour. (Argan oil is lightweight, so it’s great for daily use or as a heat protectant.)

3. Try a Rice Water Rinse

If you haven’t given rice a water try, PLEASE DO BECAUSE IT’S MAGICAL!

Rice water is packed with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that strengthen your hair follicles, which leads to thicker strands over time. All you need to do is rinse your hair with it after shampooing.

Here’s how to prepare rice water:

Wash ½ cup of uncooked rice to remove impurities, if any.
Soak the rice in 2-3 cups of water for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can also boil the rice and strain that water.
Strain and collect this water.
Use the rice water as a final rinse after shampooing. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing out with water.

You can go for rice water rinse 2-3 times a week (basically whenever you wash your hair). For added benefits, let the rice water ferment for 24 hours before use.

4. Egg Yolk Masks Aren’t Gross if They Work

Yes, they smell funky, but egg yolk masks are rich in proteins and biotin—both of which are crucial for thicker and healthier hair.

Here’s a quick DIY egg yolk hair mask recipe that you must try:

Whisk 1-2 egg yolks and apply them to your scalp.
Leave the mixture for 15-20 minutes (not more) before rinsing it with cool water.
Repeat this once a week.

Pro Tip: You can add a tablespoon of olive oil or honey for extra shine.

5. Onion Juice Works—Don’t @ Me

Onion juice is loaded with sulfur, which is essential to increase collagen production. It’s my go-to hair mask for summer, every single year.

Just blend an onion, strain the juice, and apply it to your scalp. Leave it for 20-25 minutes max, and then rinse it off with shampoo. The smell is worth the thicker, healthier hair—I PROMISE!

You can use this DIY recipe twice a week.

Pro Tip: Mix onion juice with a few drops of essential oil like peppermint or lavender to neutralize the smell and boost scalp circulation.

Finally, Keep These Additional Tips in Mind to Grow Thicker Hair:

Wash your hair 2-3 times a week, depending on how greasy your scalp is. Overwashing can strip natural oils and make your hair strands look thinner.

Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup, which can weigh your hair down.

Air-dry your hair whenever possible.

Try heatless styling methods like braiding your hair before bed for waves or using foam rollers for curls.

Don’t skip the heat protectant if you do use styling tools.

Schedule a trim every 12 weeks. This helps keep split ends at bay, which can travel up the hair shaft and make your hair look thinner and more damaged.

Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water. Hot water can strip the scalp of natural oils, leading to dryness and brittle hair that lacks volume.

Limit chemical treatments to no more than a few times a year. Consider natural alternatives like henna or semi-permanent gloss treatments to enhance your hair’s look without damage.

Check in with your doctor for a blood test if you suspect nutritional deficiencies. Low levels of iron, zinc, or other key nutrients can impact hair thickness. Don’t self-diagnose or overload on supplements without consulting a healthcare professional.

Want Thicker Hair? Here are 21 Bombshell Secrets You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner!