Are there any volume boosters that actually work?
What are volume boosters?
Volume boosters are tools, products, or techniques designed to temporarily or permanently increase the fullness, thickness, and lift of hair in order to give a more voluminous appearance. They work by swelling the hair shafts or strands, coating them to make them appear thicker, or supporting them at the roots to lift them away from the scalp and add air between the strands.
Temporary volume boosters like volumizing powders, mousse, and sprays coat the hair with polymers and resins that expand the width of the hair strands to give the illusion of thicker hair. They wash out with shampooing and are easy to apply.
Long-term volume boosters such as volumizing shampoos and conditioners, hair masks, protein treatments, and supplements nourish the hair follicles from within to promote stronger, fuller hair growth over time. These solutions aim to address the underlying causes of flat, limp hair by feeding and rebuilding each strand.
People seek out these boosters to give their hair a thicker, fuller appearance. Whether for a special occasion or day-to-day styling, volume boosters lift hair closer to the scalp to reduce the look of fine, thin hair. The temporary solutions offer quick fixes, while the long-term boosters aim to improve hair health over time for consistently increased volume.
Do temporary volume boosters work?
Temporary volume boosters like volumizing shampoos, mousses and sprays can help give the appearance of fuller, thicker hair, but the effects are not permanent. Here’s how they work:
Volumizing shampoos contain ingredients like proteins and polymers that coat the hair shaft to make it appear wider. This helps each strand of hair take up more space, giving the look of thicker hair. However, this effect washes out over time as the product coating wears off. Most volumizing shampoos need to be used regularly (every 1-3 washes) to maintain their volumizing effect (source).
Similarly, volumizing mousses and sprays contain film-forming polymers that expand when applied to make hair look fuller. Some also contain emollients that condition hair to reduce flyaways and smooth the cuticle to reflect more light. This combination helps hair appear thicker but does not alter the actual hair structure. Expect the volumizing benefits of these products to last 1-2 days before needing reapplication (source).
Long-term solutions for adding volume
Certain haircuts and styles can help make thin hair appear fuller and thicker. Styles with layers, texturizing, or soft waves add dimension and movement, creating the illusion of more volume (source). Popular options include lobs (long bobs), bixies (bob + pixie), and shags. Avoid drastic layers though, as too much removal of weight can flatten fine hair.
Chemical treatments like perms and body waves can boost volume more permanently by bending the hair to create waves rather than relying on styling alone. Modern perms use gentler solutions and large rods to create soft, touchable curls that don’t look overly “permed.” A professional stylist should assess hair health first.
Coloring hair can also optimize thickness. All-over color or strategically placed highlights and lowlights work to make hair look denser. The contrast of dark and light shades creates more dimension.
In the end, regular trims to remove split ends are key. Damaged ends cling together and drag down hair, sabotaging volume. Getting a trim every 6-8 weeks can rejuvenate hair’s natural movement and bounce.
Do any supplements boost volume?
Some dietary supplements claim to boost hair volume, often containing ingredients like biotin, keratin, collagen, vitamins, and minerals. However, evidence on the efficacy of hair supplements is limited.
Biotin is one of the most common ingredients found in hair growth supplements. While biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss, studies show mixed results on whether extra biotin boosts hair growth in those without a deficiency. A 2012 double-blind study found that an oral supplement with biotin and other ingredients led to self-reported improvements in hair volume, scalp coverage, and thickness after 90 days for women with self-perceived hair thinning. However, more research is still needed.
Overall the FDA does not approve any dietary supplement to treat hair loss or increase growth. While some preliminary research shows certain vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients may provide mild benefits, strong clinical evidence confirming significant hair growth from supplements is currently lacking.
Does Biotin Help Add Volume?
Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps the body convert food into energy. Some claim that biotin supplements can help increase hair growth and add volume. However, research does not support using biotin for hair growth in people without a deficiency.
A review in the journal Skin Appendage Disorders found no evidence that biotin promotes hair growth in healthy individuals [1]. The American Academy of Dermatology also states there is no proof biotin supplementation benefits hair or nails unless a deficiency is present [2].
While biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss, most people get enough from their diet. Foods like eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables contain biotin. Supplementing when no deficiency exists provides no further hair growth or volumizing benefits.
In summary, evidence does not support using biotin supplements solely to increase hair volume. Focus instead on proven volumizing methods like hair products, styling techniques, and treatments.
Do thickening conditioners work?
Thickening conditioners aim to work by penetrating the hair and providing nutrients that promote hair growth. Common ingredients in thickening conditioners include:
- Biotin – a B vitamin that assists in converting nutrients into energy to help hair grow faster and thicker (source).
- Keratin – a protein that makes up much of the structure of hair and can help strengthen it (source).
- Collagen – provides amino acids to build more keratin to help thicken hair strands.
There is some evidence that thickening conditioners can improve hair volume and growth over time with continued use. However, results can vary substantially based on hair type and the specific ingredients used.
It’s generally best to choose an affordable, reputable brand tailored to your hair needs and give it at least a month of consistent use to determine its effectiveness.
Can eggs help boost volume?
Eggs have been used for hair health and growth for generations. They are rich in protein, which contains amino acids that can penetrate the hair shaft and strengthen it from within [1]. Research shows that eating eggs and applying egg masks topically can stimulate hair follicles and increase volume.
Eggs are one of the highest natural sources of protein available, with 6 grams per one large egg. Protein is made up of amino acids which are the building blocks of keratin, the key structural protein that makes up hair, skin and nails. Amino acids like cysteine, proline and lysine are abundant in eggs, and deficiencies in these amino acids has been linked to hair loss and reduced growth [2].
When applied directly to hair and scalp, eggs provide concentrated protein to nourish follicles. The lipids in egg yolk also help to deeply condition hair and reduce breakage by coating the strands. Over time, regular treatment with egg masks can thicken individual hair strands, increasing overall volume.
Do hair masks add volume?
Some hair masks are formulated with ingredients that claim to add volume and thickness to hair. Ingredients like proteins, biotin, collagen, amino acids, and plant extracts can help build up strands to give the appearance of fuller hair.
For example, the Deep Treat One Minute Volume Boosting Hair Mask from Cake Beauty contains wheat and soy proteins that adhere to the hair cuticle to plump strands. Amino acids also help repair damage and hydrate hair to boost volume.
In a Maria Nila hair mask, algae extract aims to return softness, strength, and shine to hair, while providing some volumizing effects. Other masks may rely on ingredients like biotin, keratin, collagen, silk proteins and various plant or fruit extracts to achieve similar volumizing properties.
However, many masks simply act as an intensive conditioner to smooth the cuticle and improve moisture, which can indirectly improve the look and feel of hair. But the long-term volumizing benefits may not match some product claims. Consistently using a good volumizing shampoo or other styling products is likely more impactful for boosting apparent volume over time.
Home Remedies for Volume
Many over-the-counter volume boosters are temporary and contain strong chemicals. There are natural, at-home remedies you can try to help add long-lasting volume and thickness to hair without harsh ingredients.
One home remedy is to use rice water to make hair look fuller. The protein, vitamins and minerals in rice water may help strengthen and volumize hair [1]. Simply soak rice overnight, strain the water and apply it to hair for up to 30 minutes before washing as usual. Letting rice water ferment for a couple days can further boost benefits.
Another popular home approach is massaging castor oil into hair and scalp. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil conditions, moisturizes and thickens hair over time with regular use [1]. Other oils like coconut, olive, jojoba and almond oils can also add shine, smoothness and promote growth.
Scalp massage alone has been shown to increase blood circulation and stimulate hair follicles. Deep massages with or without oil for a few minutes daily may help regrow hair and add volume from the roots.
When to see a professional
If over-the-counter products and home remedies aren’t reversing your hair thinning and loss, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor or stylist for an evaluation (source). There are various long-term solutions they can provide to help regrow hair and stop further thinning.
For women noticing their hairline changing, ponytail getting thinner, or excessive shedding, seeing a dermatologist can help identify the cause and create a customized treatment plan (source). Dermatologists are experts in diagnosing and treating hair loss. They may prescribe minoxidil, low-level laser therapy, platelet rich plasma injections, supplements, and other medical therapies proven to stimulate growth.
Both men and women may benefit from visiting a trichologist or hair restoration specialist. These professionals can analyze your hair and scalp health to determine if grafts, transplants, or micropigmentation (scalp micropigmentation) are viable solutions for restoring the look of fullness (source). In some cases, they may also create customized hair systems if non-surgical options aren’t effective.
Seeing an expert provides access to prescription treatments and advanced techniques that can help create the appearance of thicker, fuller hair over the long term. Don’t hesitate to book a consultation if you’ve tried over-the-counter fixes without success.