While beauty trends and standards come and go, one thing remains a symbol of vibrant health and resilience—thick, lush hair. Hair loss can be caused by everything from stress to aging to health disorders. And if hair density has been a lifelong struggle, it could even be due to genetic factors.
Aaron Grenia, cofounder of IGK Hair Care, shares some encouraging information. “Hair density is the number of hair strands on your scalp per square inch,” Aaron says. “It varies from person to person, but with the right products and scalp care, you can increase hair density, thickness, and fullness.”
So what’s a person to do? We asked the experts for advice and shared their top five tips below.
1. Get that blood flow going.
Healthy hair starts at the scalp. “For scalp circulation, I always recommend both a scalp scrub and a scalp massager,” says Glen Coco, Poosh friend and celebrity stylist. These stimulate the cells and follicles to kick into gear if they are stagnant. Plus, it feels really good.
“Always use a scalp scrub prior to shampooing, and massage it in for five minutes using firm pressure and slow movements,” Coco advises. He says that a scalp massager can be used just about any time—after washing, with a mask in your hair, or when your hair is dry. “You can’t overdo scalp stimulation. As long as you’re not being rough, you’re good. Massage away,” he says.
Head Massager Scalp
Price: $36
COMFIER
Reset Rinse
Price: $30
Inala Wellness
Coco emphasizes that he loves pre-wash oils. “The oil creates a protective barrier from the harsh effects of some shampoos, helps strengthen your hair at the root, and prevents shedding,” he explains.
“They are great the night before a wash day,” he says, “but you can also apply them for 10 to 15 minutes before washing.” (Hint: This is a great time to give yourself a scalp massage.)
You can either buy a pre-wash oil (like Coco’s current favorite from Fable & Mane), or you can DIY it. Natural oils rosemary contain properties that have been shown to significantly boost hair growth.
HoliRoots Pre-Wash Treatment Oil
Price: $38
Fable & Mane
Rosemary Mint Hair & Scalp Oil
Price: $8
De La Cruz
Rosemary & Castor Oil
Price: $16
Plant Therapy
If you aren’t consuming enough protein or healthy fats, you may experience hair loss. Dieting can affect your hair’s texture and density, especially if weight loss happens rapidly.
Try nourishing your scalp from the inside out. “Add as many fruits and veggies as you can,” Coco says. “Tangerines, strawberries, avocados, broccoli, oats, leafy greens, sweet potatoes—they’ve all been linked to promoting hair growth.” Consuming omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like salmon and walnuts, can also help.
We love peptides. They aren’t just great for the skin on our face, but they also have many benefits for the scalp and the hair. Aaron put them in IGK’s latest product, Sponsored, a spray that boosts hair density by delivering a concentrated dose right to the dome.
“Make sure to always use heat protection on your hair when heat styling to prevent any sort of breakage or shedding,” Coco says. “Hair oils are also great for your ends. They make everything appear really shiny and help seal those ends to prevent them from splitting.”
Power Potion
Price: $55
Inala Wellness
Ready for a quick recap? Achieving fuller, denser-looking hair is possible. It involves a combination of proper scalp care, the right products, and healthy habits. Time to get growing.
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The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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