First things first: What is volume in men’s hair, exactly?
If you’re noticing hair thinning, want your hair to appear thicker, or are hoping to rock a style that looks best with some height, you’re probably wondering how to add volume to men’s hair. While you can’t do much about your natural hair type, there are easy steps you can take to add more volume to your hair.
Below, we’ll explain what hair volume actually means, nine tips for how to add volume to men’s hair (including how to add volume if you’re experiencing hair loss), and a few more pointers on what to avoid when trying to get voluminous hair.
First things first: What is volume in men’s hair, exactly? In the simplest terms, volume is how big your hair is or how much fullness and body it has.
The opposite of volume is flat hair. It helps to understand the causes of flat hair so you can avoid them when trying to volumize your hair.
Flat hair in men can be caused by:
Having naturally thin or fine hair
Hair loss
Using heavy or oil-based styling products
Not washing hair often enough
Poor scalp health
Now that you know what’s what, we’ll explore solutions for naturally gaining volume in hair for guys.
How much men’s hair volume someone has seems straightforward, but it actually depends on several factors.
Here’s what to consider when it comes to volume:
Hair density. This is the number of individual hairs on your head. More hair = more volume. People with thin hair have lower hair density.
Hair type. A person with a curly hair type may generally have more volume than someone with straight hair.
The diameter of individual strands. There’s a difference between thin and fine hair. The actual size of each strand determines whether hair is fine or thick. Fine hair can still have a lot of volume if you have a higher hair density (i.e., lots of fine hairs on your head).
Let’s dive into solutions for guys who want to give their hair more volume.
Here are nine strategies for fuller, thicker-looking hair.
Washing your hair sounds easy, right? But there are tweaks to ensure your hair care routine is helping boost hair volume.
First, 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 regularly 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 starts to look or feel oily or dirty. If you have straight hair or an oily scalp, this might mean washing your hair daily.
Experts recommend focusing shampoo on the scalp instead of hair strands and letting the hair get washed in the process. In other words, massage shampoo into your scalp and let it run down through the rest of your hair.
Invest in a quality shampoo. Look for a volumizing shampoo or thickening shampoo. What’s the difference between volumizing and thickening? Great question.
Thickening formulas include ingredients that plump the individual strands, whereas most volumizing shampoos are made with lightweight ingredients that help boost hair at the root.
Look for a shampoo free of sulfates (that’s all our shampoos) or 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.
Don’t forget the conditioner. A good conditioner can moisturize and detangle your hair, reducing friction and the chance of breakage when combing or styling. The formula should be nourishing and hydrating but not too heavy.
You’ll only want to use conditioner on the ends of your hair — don’t massage it into your scalp like you would shampoo. This can create scalp buildup and make hair look weighed down.
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 than dry hair, so use a light hand after showering.
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 looser, 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 your hairstyle to a simpler one that sidesteps damage and gives you more volume. Layers or a shorter style lend well to volume because they avoid heavy bulk. Not sure what cut to choose? Ask your hairstylist.
Check out our guide to the best hairstyles for men with thin hair for some inspiration.
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, but avoid your roots.
If you’re doing a voluminous style like a pompadour or a faux hawk, a teensy bit of hair spray can help your volume last longer — but try not to overdo it. Using dry shampoo between washes can also give your hair the grit it needs to hold volume (plus, it’ll help hair look cleaner and mask any odor).
One way to achieve instant volume is to flip your head over (so you’re bent at the waist and looking at the floor), then hit the roots of your hair with a hair dryer. This creates fullness at the root, which translates to volume.
Just be sure to hold the blow dryer at least six inches from your hair to avoid damage.
Remember in the ‘80s when teasing your hair was popular — or maybe you’re not old enough to remember but have seen pictures of this style? Well, that’s essentially the same as backcombing, and it can be very effective for achieving temporary volume. (Don’t worry, you won’t look like a retro aerobics instructor unless you want to.)
To backcomb your hair, use a comb to brush your hair backward. Doing this while flipping your hair over can help you get even more volume.
Receding hairline? Bald spot on top? Your lack of volume might be due to hair loss. The good news is hair loss medications like minoxidil and finasteride can help with hair growth.
Topical minoxidil, also sold under the brand name Rogaine®, works by encouraging hair to enter the anagen phase (growth stage) of the hair growth cycle. It can also extend the anagen phase, so hair grows longer and thicker.
You can also ask a healthcare provider about oral minoxidil if you’re finding it tough to keep up with daily topical application. Each type of minoxidil has its own benefits and side effects.
Men experiencing male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) that’s causing a lack of volume might be interested in finasteride (sold under the brand name Propecia®). This oral medication helps slow hair loss by stopping the conversion of testosterone to another hormone, dihydrotestosterone (also known as DHT).
DHT has been identified as a major player in male pattern baldness. Stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT is crucial to keeping the hair you still have healthy and thriving.
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We’re not usually the type to give you a long list of what not to do. But it’s important to know about things you might be doing to hurt your volume efforts.
Thick, heavy styling products or those containing oil can easily make hair look weighed down or greasy — the antithesis of healthy volume. If volume is the goal, avoid hair products labeled as “moisturizing” or “hydrating,” as those tend to be too rich to achieve maximum volume.
Instead, opt for lightweight products labeled as “volumizing” or “texturizing,” like a sea salt spray or mousse.
Many products on the market can damage your hair and exacerbate the flat look you’re trying 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 pomade and hair gel
Unfortunately, these things can damage and break your hair, so it’s best to steer clear if you’re struggling with fullness.
Long hair can look great, but it’s generally heavier, and that extra weight can make it harder to achieve volume. This tends to be a problem for men with thinner hair. Coarser or curly hair will naturally have some volume at the root.
If you want to wear your hair long, consider asking your hairstylist for layers, which take out some of the weight and bulk, making hair look more voluminous.
Adding permanent volume to your hair can be difficult since hair volume is influenced by factors like genetics, hair texture, and density. However, there are some things you can do that can help you achieve fuller hair for longer. Here are some ideas
Hair Loss Treatments: If your lack of volume is due to the fact that you’re losing hair, hair loss treatments can help. We offer access to popular hair loss treatment minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®) and finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia®) in several different forms including topicals and chewables.
Diet and Supplements: Eating a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals (like biotin and zinc) can promote healthy, thicker hair growth over time.
Scalp Care: A healthy scalp is essential for voluminous hair. Regular exfoliation and moisturizing treatments can improve scalp health and encourage hair growth. You may want to try scalp massage too, which may help increase hair density.
Perms: A professional perm can create long-lasting curls or waves that add body and volume to your hair.
There are a few things you can do to turn up the (hair) volume:
Use the right products. Use a volumizing shampoo and conditioner with ingredients that help promote growth, like saw palmetto. And avoid heavy styling products that can weigh down your hair.
Fake it ‘til you make it. If you need to amp up the volume for a special occasion, consider blow drying with your head upside down, using a round brush to add extra oomph. Backcombing your hair (by brushing backward toward the root) can also help achieve major (temporary) volume gains.
Treat hair loss. Hair loss is very common, leading to hair thinning and less hair volume than you’re used to. Consider hair loss treatments like minoxidil or finasteride to stop hair loss and promote new 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.
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.
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