Hair density is a measurement of how many strands grow per square inch on your scalp.
While we use length, texture and thickness predominantly to categorise hair type, the matter of density is less widely discussed and varies from person to person. It’s not a synonym for thickness, it’s a case of the quantity of strands rather than if it’s thick or fine.
If your scalp is easily visible under bright light, this is a signaller of low density. Density falls into three categories; low, medium and high and while these are not a signaller of health and are generally a matter of genetics, it is something to consider when selecting the products that deserve their place on your bathroom shelf.
This is particularly true for folks with low density. For those with thinner hair, it's best to steer clear of heavy oils and rich conditioners that will weigh down and flatten strands. Instead, volumising and texturizing products deserve a place in our haircare arsenal, imparting volume and resulting in a thicker-looking appearance.
Beyond styling products, some formulas will encourage a denser hair look. The key is to douse your scalp with the right nutrients to stimulate microcirculation and thus, growth. Nutrition and diet play a key part too.
Anabel Kingsley, Brand President & Consultant Trichologist at Philip Kingsley breaks it down further by highlighting six points to enhance the thickness of your mane:
- Minimise breakage: If your hair is breaking, your mid-length and ends won’t be as thick as they could be. To reduce breakage, use a weekly pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatment. I love our Elasticizer, which strengthens hair and increases its ability to stretch before snapping.
- Be gentle when brushing: Use a soft, brush with rounded, plastic prongs. Bristle brushes can tear away parts of your hair’s protective outer cuticle. As hair doesn’t have nerve endings, it’s hard to tell when your styling tools are damaging it. I tell my clients to test their brush on the back of their hand – if it leaves marks or feels rough, it’s too harsh for your strands. You should also use a microfibre towel when you towel dry, as these are very gentle.
- Eat well: Hair isn’t an essential tissue, so it is the last part of us to receive nutrients we ingest and the first to be withheld from. Hair cells are also the second fastest dividing cells our body makes, meaning our hair has very high energy and nutrient requirements. As hair is a needy but essentially dispensable tissue, its thickness, strength and growth are easily impacted by even small dietary inadequacies. Have three balanced, colourful meals a day incorporating proteins (what your hair is made of) and complex carbohydrates (provide slow-release, easy accessible energy to cells, like those that form your hair)
- Have blood tests: If your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be, there could be an underlying imbalance that needs addressing. Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) deficiency are very common causes of hair loss in women who menstruate – and can happen even if you’re eating a good diet. Vitamin D deficiency is one for everyone to look out for - it definitely impacts hair growth.
- Use topical scalp drops: If you’re experiencing hair shedding, or you simply want to support your hair growth cycle, use topical scalp drops that help minimize hair shedding, our Density Preserving Scalp Drops are clinically proven to reduce hair fall and slow hair loss. If you have female or male pattern hair loss, topical scalp drops containing Minoxidil are very effective. Our prescription-only Clinic drops contain Minoxidil, as well as hair-supportive hormones.
- Prioritise stress management: Stress is inflammatory and can negatively impact your scalp and your hair growth cycle – it can also worsen existing female and male pattern hair loss.
- Look after your scalp: Your scalp houses your hair follicles and is your hair’s support system. A clean, healthy and balanced scalp is best able to support the growth of strong and healthy strands. We know that a flaky, imbalanced scalp can cause hair loss and also damage hair as it emerges from its follicle. Just as you do with the skin on your face, cleanse (i.e. shampoo) your scalp regularly. If you have a scalp condition, like dandruff, use targeted products to manage it.
To improve your hair density, these are the products to know
Philip Kingsley Density Healthy Hair Complex
The Density range was created by the experts at legendary science-backed hair label Philip Kingsley to promote scalp health and counteract the effects of follicle-stressing external aggressors.
Through a combination of botanical ingredients, it tackles free radicals that can cause your hair to become lacklustre and thin from the outside in, while also packing in vitamins and minerals to improve hair health. The nutrient-rich combination of vitamin C, biotin and selenium put the va va voom back into tresses as well as enhances shine.
Buy now £32.00, Cult Beauty
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density 60ml
Recommended by hairdressers to be applied in tandem with daily supplements, the modest outlay garners big results in thickness and fullness of fine hair.
The Ordinary is known for its affordable products that don’t scrimp of efficacity from its skincare to the haircare offering. This serum has been labelled a ‘game-changer’ for a reason, using a trademarked concoction of complexes to remain lightweight yet potent and give hair a healthy boost.
For best results, apply onto the scalp before hair wash day and use a massager to encourage absorption. The more consistent you are, the better the results.
Buy now £19.30, lookfantastic
MONPURE London Follicle Boost Hair Density Serum 50ml
With no harsh chemicals in sight, MONPURE is encouraging fullness in your hair texture with the power of natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven. There’s a special pumpkin seed extract as well as a gentle variant of retinol and lactic acid. The latter two buff away at the scalp to remove dead skin cells and make way for thicker locks to grow - all without irritation. It can be used by all hair types from the poker straight to ringlet curls. The texture of the product is thicker than some of the others on the list which means a little goes a long way.
Buy now £83.00, Cult Beauty
Virtue Flourish Density Booster
You will find the Virtue trademarked Alpha keratin protein in the entire breadth of the brand’s range to provide a strengthening, scalp-stimulating and growth-encouraging effect. In this treatment, it is set alongside Gamma keratin as well as botanical-based ingredients that were chosen for their thickening effect on fine or thinning hair.
It is a spray texture that is quickly absorbed and can be applied on wet or dry hair where best application requires the product to be massaged into your scalp, activating the biomimetic signal peptides to calm, soothe and get to work support healthy hair growth.
Buy now £47.00, Space NK
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
For an instant quick fix, Living Proof has this volumizing spray to stash in your gym kit, overnight bag or in your bathroom cabinet to provide a more textured look that will give the impression of fuller hair density.
The formula is buildable and can be applied on dry hair to lift flat or fine strands. With every spritz, you are imparting the brand’s texturizing molecules through your locks, giving your style dimension and locking it in place. It also provides heat protection up to 210°C.
Buy now £30.01, Cult Beauty
Briogeo Destined for Density Caffeine and Biotin Peptide Density Shampoo
Using cruelty-free and naturally derived ingredients, Briogeo has formulated this haircare essential to transform sparse tresses and give your locks what they need. Revitalising the health of your hair starts with your washing practices, so this product is designed to replace the first shampoo step, boosting circulation at your scalp for fuller, more lustrous locks.
It is made up of the brand’s unique energy complex, which combines caffeine, CoQ10 and green coffee oil. This is then mixed with growth-enhancing biotin and copper peptides to fortify the individual strands and give you a more voluminous mane.
Buy now £30.00, Cult Beauty
IGK Hair No Limit Thickening Spray
This spray from IGK Hair may not be a long-term solution to improve hair density, but it does work to give a thicker, fuller appearance in the short term. It’s a lightweight formula yet very little is required to up the va va volume of your locks without leaving a stinky or crunchy residue in its wake.
Spritz from the roots to the end to get instant, noticeable results without sacrificing the sheen of your hair, instead it looks and feels healthy, rather than dull or dry.
Buy now £23.00, Space NK
Wild Science Lab Growth Recipe Density Booster
Wild Science Lab may be powered by mostly naturally derived ingredients but, as the brand name suggests, the formulas have been put through their paces to ensure they are scientifically proven. The Growth Recipe Density Booster was created to be used every day, supporting the strength of strands and stimulating the scalp. The product boosts microcirculation, which in turn encourages fuller, thicker hair.
The combination of biotin, pea sprout extract, caffeine and niacinamide work in harmony to counteract the external causes of hair thinning and create the optimal environment for hair growth.
Buy now £25.00, Sephora
Kérastase Specifique Stimuliste Hair Thickener 125ml
The Stimuliste range is specifically designed to address tired, falling-out locks and this Thickener is among its star buys. Essentially an oil made with nourishing Arginine (an amino acid) and Aminexil to bolster strand life, there’s also vitamin PP to help scalp circulation and create the optimum conditions for healthy growth. Yes to all, thank you.
It works just as well on men as it does on women and is ideal for those looking to boost their hair density as well as anyone who wants to grow their hair to Rapunzel lengths. Spray onto dry or towel-dried hair and massage in before styling as usual.
The price tag may be hefty but the results (and customer reviews) speak for themselves.
Buy now £56.70, lookfantastic
Feel Hair Support
This supplement has been put through its paces in a clinical double-blind trial and it has come out trumps. The results reveal that in 90 days of taking this dietary add-on, you should notice a more voluminous mane, greater density and better shine.
This is down to a very special trademarked ingredient known as Keranat that counteracts hair loss by supporting the natural growth cycle and fortifying the individual strands. Set alongside biotin, these may be the revolutionary capsules your haircare routine has been calling out for.
Buy now £56.43, Feel
