Hair thickening, the Swell way!
Andrew Bidwell
10 Sep, 2023

If you have fine, limp or thinning hair and find that every day is a bad hair day, read on! 

If you want to boost your confidence with fuller, stronger, thicker hair, we must treat not only the hair already grown, but also prepare your scalp and hair follicles for the next cycle of hair growth.

Swell approaches hair thickening in a two pronged approach, naturally volumising hair from day one. Working right down to your roots at follicular level, feeding roots with powerful and nourishing active botanicals that improves hair growth and thickness, whilst helping to reduce shedding.

Follow Swell’s 4 simple principles below, to give your hair the very best chance of gaining ultimate volume, improved growth, optimum hair and scalp health, with greater manageability for longer lasting hairstyles.

We don’t use any silicones, parabens or SLS and our products have all been vegan and cruelty free since we launched in 2013.

How do you detox and thicken thin hair?

Swell Principle 1: Cleanse

Cleanse to restore your hair and scalp to their natural foundations.

Silicone is the death of volume for fine hair that lacks volume, so go silicone-free and avoid ingredients like Dimethicone and Cyclomethicone.

Use a thickening shampoo; our high-performing volume shampoo gently lifts away dirt, toxins and silicone build-up to provide a clean base, without stripping the moisture from your hair.

The concentrated blend of high potency active botanicals in our hair thickening shampoo naturally cleanses hair ready for the rest of our growth-boosting and nourishing hair care system to work its magic.

The healthy way to volumise

Swell Principle 2: Nourish

Hydrate and strengthen for hair health and volume with a hair thickening conditioner.

Our ultra-nourishing conditioner is an essential step in your healthy hair routine. The concentrated blend of high potency active botanicals in this nourishing conditioner works deep into your hair’s cortex, replenishing moisture, strengthening and building volume in even the finest and most damaged hair.

How can I thicken hair naturally?

Swell Principle 3: Grow

Feed your follicles for fuller, thicker and stronger hair!

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Our Ultimate Volume Root Complex is a unique treatment made up of a blend of 18 active botanicals combined to encourage hair growth and give instant volume.

The growth-boosting complex works directly on your dermal layer, feeding your follicles to restore strength, moisture and promote growth to give you fuller, thicker and stronger hair. Designed for all hair types and especially beneficial for fine and thinning hair, this complex will reduce shedding while encouraging root uplift and volume.

Swell’s Ultimate Volume Root Complex works best when used as part of Swell’s 3-step system. The formulas are designed to work together for complete hair care health. Always remember that using any any products with silicone may disrupt the natural volumising and thickening process.

How to thicken hair and protect it

Swell Principle 4: Protect

Protect to shield your hair against damage, for root to tip health.

Overworking hair, colouring, being too rough and using too much heat will weaken hair dramatically, making it appear thinner. Protecting hair from this kind of damage and shielding against environmental stresses will prevent hair from breakage and your ends will grow longer and healthier.

Swell Ultimate Protect and Renew Serum with its silicone-free and weightless formula of active botanicals adds genuine gloss, minimises split ends and protects your hair from heat styling tools.

There are of course lots of other things you can do that will aid root to tip hair health improving hair growth and thickness.

There are several natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can help thicken hair naturally.

Here are some extra hair thickening tips:

Product placement on your hair and your washing technique are imperative in healthy haircare.

Wash roots ONLY, this is where hair and scalp become greasy, never apply shampoo directly to ends, this will weaken ends, simply rinsing suds out from your roots will adequately cleanse without dehydrating the mid-lengths and ends.

Apply conditioner in this order:

ENDS first, working up to MID-LENGTHS and only condition roots If colourED, processed OR frizzy

Stick to this regime, it’s an absolute game changer.

Massage your scalp:

Regularly massaging your scalp can stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and thickness. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp for a few minutes each day.

As a hair stylist I would always massage scalp when shampooing, being careful to not scrub scalp when washing hair as this will overstimulate your sebaceous glands, producing excess sebum (oil), making hair greasy and flattening volume.

Massaging the scalp with conditioner (every salon offers this) may feel relaxing, but over-softens your roots, making hair flat and difficult to gain volume and density.

Use active botanicals and essential oils:

Active botanicals are powerful ingredients and vitamins that are proven to bring strength, hydration and overall health to your hair. For hair thickening look out for Peruvian Root Macca, nettles, Rooibos and Wild Yam.

Certain essential oils, such as rosemary, , and lavender, have also been shown to promote hair growth and thickness.

Reduce how much you use heat styling tools:

Excessive use of heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers can damage hair and make it appear thinner. Try to limit their use and opt for air drying.

Silicone based serums are oily and over softening, leading to flatness and can starve hair of any real goodness

Avoid harsh chemicals:

Chemical treatments like perming, relaxing, and coloring can weaken and damage hair. Minimize the use of such treatments or opt for natural alternatives.

Use a wide-toothed comb:

When combing or brushing your hair, use a wide-toothed comb or a brush with soft bristles to prevent breakage and damage.

Always work from the very ends working up to mid-lengths and roots when combing and brushing, take your time and stop snapping your hair!

Avoid excessive tight hairstyles:

Avoid hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair, such as ponytails, braids, or buns. These can cause hair breakage and thinning over time.

Reduce stress:

Chronic stress can contribute to hair loss, thinning, and reduced hair thickness. Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to promote overall hair health, including thickening and growth.

Get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet:

Lack of sleep can disrupt the hair growth cycle. Quality sleep each night will support overall health and healthy hair growth

Eat a balanced diet: Ensure you are getting enough nutrients, especially vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as iron, zinc, and protein. Include foods like eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and fruits in your diet.

Hair thickening takes time, stick with Swell’s 4 simple principles: cleanse, nourish, grow and protect. 

It will of course take several months to see noticeable new hair and your hair thickening, as your new hair awakens from its resting phase inside your boosted follicles, but follow these steps and you will see volume and density from day 1.

If you have concerns about your hair thickness, speak with your hairstylist, they are experts, they will know your hair better than yourself!

It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist for personalised advice, and ask them what their natural solution is, because at Swell we believe when it comes to hair, nature is best!

If you’d like help or advice you can email me directly at customercare@swell.co.uk

Active botanicals, no nasties, minimum 97% natural ingredientsvegan and cruelty free haircare since 2013