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Over 90% of users saw increased regrowth or reduced hair loss in clinical trials
Whether you’re noticing hair thinning or want your hair to appear thicker and healthier, figuring out how to add volume to hair for men can be tricky because there’s not much information out there.
But there are some steps you can take to turn up the volume, including washing your hair regularly, using volumizing shampoo and conditioner, changing your hairstyle, and trying hair loss treatments, if needed.
Below, we’ll explain what hair volume actually means, how to add volume to men’s hair, and how you can add volume if you’re experiencing hair loss — a solution for every guy, coming at you right now.
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We know we sound like a Pantene® commercial, but what those sensual ads call “volume” plays a large part in how your hair looks and feels.
Hair volume refers to:
Hair density. This is the literal number of hairs covering your scalp. More hair = more volume.
Hair type. A person with a curly hair type may generally have more volume than someone with straight hair.
The diameter of individual strands. Thinner, finer hair will lack volume and look flatter than thicker hair.
Resistance to split ends and breakage. If your hair can grow long and healthy, it’ll look thicker and more voluminous.
But there’s no TV remote for your head — so what makes hair volume go up or down? Well, flat hair can be caused by:
Having thin or fine hair
Hair loss
Using heavy or oil-based styling products
Not washing your hair often enough
Poor scalp health
Now that you know what’s what, let’s dive into the solutions on how to get volume in hair naturally for guys.
Lifeless hair doesn’t have to be a life sentence. There are ways to add volume — or the illusion of volume — to your hair.
Depending on the treatment you choose, your volume may last weeks, days, or only a few minutes if you’re caught in the rain at the wrong time.
Here’s what you can do:
Wash your hair regularly
Focus on washing your scalp
Use the right shampoo and conditioner
Be gentle on your hair
Change up your hairstyle
Use volumizing hairstyling products
Avoid perms, flat irons, and other hot tools
Occasionally use a blow dryer
Use minoxidil
Consider finasteride
Keep reading for details.
Washing your hair — it sounds easy right? But there are tweaks you can make to ensure your hair care routine is helping — not hindering — your hair volume.
First up, regularly washing your hair can help remove any buildup of product or oil. This buildup can weigh down your hair, making it look flat.
Lathering up on the regular is also great for scalp health, which, in turn, is great for hair health.
There are no set rules here, but you should wash your hair based on when it gets oily or dirty. If you have straight hair or an oily scalp, this might mean washing your hair daily.
Beyond washing regularly, you’ve also got to wash your hair the right way.
Experts recommend focusing shampoo on your scalp instead of your hair strands and letting the hair itself get washed in the process — i.e., massage shampoo into your scalp and let it run down through the rest of your hair.
If possible, avoiding hard water is also important for good hair maintenance.
Now that you’ve got the technique down, it’s time to use the right hair care products.
Invest in a quality shampoo. Look for a volumizing or thickening shampoo that’s free of sulfates and one with hair-boosting ingredients like saw palmetto. As a supplement, saw palmetto can increase hair quality, hair count, and hair density. A triple threat!
If you’ve noticed dandruff, look for flake-fighting ingredients like pyrithione zinc.
And don’t forget conditioner. A good conditioner can moisturize and detangle your hair, reducing friction and the chance of breakage when combing or styling. It should be nourishing and hydrating but not too heavy.
Take it easy on your hair. Aggressive scrubbing, rubbing, or pulling can cause breakage and damage, which won’t do your quest for hair volume any favors.
Be gentle when washing, towel drying, or styling your hair, and try to avoid over-combing or brushing. Wet and damp hair can be more prone to breakage, so go easy when getting out of the shower.
Tugging on hair follicles can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia — hair loss due to strain or tension on the scalp. If you’re a fan of a tight man bun or cornrows, consider switching to a loser, gentler style.
Though this isn’t necessarily a tip for adding volume, it can prevent a loss of volume in the future.
Elaborate hairstyles, the tools you use to achieve them, and the strain you put on your hair while styling can all damage your hair. Why? Your strands are susceptible to heat, chemical damage, and breakage.
Consider changing up your hairstyle to a simpler one — one that avoids damage and gives you more volume. This could include layers or a shorter style. Not sure what cut to choose? Ask your hairstylist.
Regular trims can also remove any split ends or damage, so the hair you have is healthy and full of life.
Check out our guide to the best hairstyles for men with thin hair for some inspiration.
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If you use products to style your hair, reach for lightweight formulas that add volume — mousse, for instance. Steer clear of long-lasting products with “hold,” like hairspray or gel, as they can damage your hair.
When applying, start with a small amount of product. Slowly add more if you need it, and be sure to avoid your roots.
Again, wash your hair regularly to avoid product buildup that can weigh down your hair.
We don’t want to give you a long list of things to avoid, butttt … that’s exactly what we’re about to do. Listen, there’s a lot out there that can damage your hair and add to the flat look you’re looking to fix.
In general, try to avoid or minimize chemical treatments, heat-based styling tools, and products that cause buildup.
That includes:
Perms
Hot irons
Velcro and hot rollers
Chemicals that relax or straighten hair
Bleaching
Long-hold products like hair spray and hair gel
Unfortunately, these things can damage and break your hair more than they’ll ever make you look good while balding.
Blow drying your hair can cause damage — just like any other hot tool — so experts don’t recommend doing it often.
In a pinch or for special occasions, you can use a blow dryer to dry your mop quickly and add some height to your hair. But in general, use your hair dryer sparingly and on a low or medium heat setting.
Receding hairline? Bald spot on top? Your lack of volume might be due to hair loss — and minoxidil can help with hair growth.
Minoxidil, also sold under the brand name Rogaine®, works by encouraging hair to enter the anagen phase (the growth phase) of the hair growth cycle. It can also extend the anagen phase, so your hair grows longer and thicker. Hello, more volume.
Topical minoxidil has been proven effective for treating various types of hair loss in clinical trials. This form is sold over the counter.
You can also ask a healthcare provider about oral minoxidil, which has its own benefits and side effects if the topical option is giving you issues. FYI, this type of minoxidil calls for a prescription, which you can get through Hims.
When it comes to how to add volume to hair, men experiencing genetic thinning might see excellent results with finasteride. This oral medication helps increase hair volume by controlling the body’s supply of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (also known as DHT).
DHT has been identified as a major player in male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT is crucial to keeping the hair you still have healthy and thriving.
Finasteride reduces DHT levels, and in doing, so it can help you grow thicker hair again.
Want to compare these two FDA-approved hair loss medications? Our blog covers all the details about minoxidil versus finasteride.
And FYI, you can use finasteride and minoxidil together in products like our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.
If you’re looking for a sure-fire hair product to get voluminous, thick hair straight out of the box, we have bad news for you: Hair doesn’t work that way. Devastating, we know.
But there are some things you can do to turn up the (hair) volume:
Take good care of your hair. That means washing your hair regularly, avoiding tugging and pulling, and minimizing how much heat and chemicals you use up top.
Use the right products. Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner with ingredients that promote growth, like saw palmetto. And avoid heavy styling products that can weigh down your hair.
Treat hair loss. Hair loss happens to the best of us, and it can lead to hair thinning and less hair volume than you’re used to. Consider hair loss treatments like minoxidil and finasteride to stop hair loss and promote new hair growth.
Explore researched-backed hair products. Hair loss products like our Hair Power Pack or biotin gummies can support increased hair growth.
Want to rule out hair loss in your search for more voluminous hair? Connect with one of our hair experts for personalized advice and treatment options.
Volume is great, but peace of mind about what’s going on up top is the best thing for your head — inside and out.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Knox Beasley is a board certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and subsequently attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Beasley first began doing telemedicine during his dermatology residency in 2013 with the military, helping to diagnose dermatologic conditions in soldiers all over the world.
Dr. Beasley is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Originally from Nashville, TN, Dr. Beasley currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors (with sunscreen of course) with his wife and two children in his spare time.
Bachelor of Science, Life Sciences. United States Military Academy.
Doctor of Medicine. Tulane University School of Medicine
Dermatology Residency. San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
Board Certified. American Board of Dermatology
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