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A Glamour UK report draws on trichologists Eleanore Richardson, Teresa Richardson and Anabel Kingsley to explain that hair thickness is largely genetic, but density and volume can be improved through nutrition, scalp care and careful styling. Experts stress supplements only help where a deficiency exists.
A new Glamour UK report has gathered guidance from three leading trichologists on how to get thicker hair, concluding that while maximum hair thickness is largely fixed by genetics, most people can improve both hair density and the appearance of volume through nutrition, scalp care and mindful styling. The specialists — Eleanore Richardson and Teresa Richardson of Fulham Scalp & Hair Clinic, and consultant trichologist Anabel Kingsley of Philip Kingsley — set out which interventions are supported by hair science, including popular options like hair growth serums, and which products are unlikely to deliver on their promises.
The experts make a central distinction between two different problems often confused under the label of “thin hair.” The first is density — the number of strands on the scalp. Someone may have thick individual strands but simply not many of them. The second is volume, which relates to the diameter of each strand; fine hair has a smaller diameter, tends to lack body, and can appear limp, especially when grown long. According to Kingsley, hair texture is “pre-determined by our genetics,” so someone born with fine hair should expect it to remain fine throughout their life — though steps can be taken to reach their individual optimal thickness.
On density, Kingsley recommends frequent scalp cleansing, a diet built around three balanced daily meals containing protein and carbohydrates, and — where needed — targeted supplements including biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and iron. Both experts caution that supplements only make sense when an actual deficiency exists, which a trichologist can help identify alongside possible lifestyle and medical causes of thinning.
Nutrition receives particular emphasis, and many people also turn to natural remedies to support growth. Eleanore Richardson describes food as “hair fuel,” noting that excessive shedding is very commonly linked to a deficiency in the body, and recommending a diet rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin D and B vitamins. She explains that because hair is non-essential tissue, the body prioritises protein for cell repair and other functions first — meaning hair is among the first things to suffer when nutrition falls short. Protein-rich foods listed include chicken breast, eggs, fish, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, lentils, beans, tofu, nuts and seeds.
Why Hair Thickness Claims Mislead Buyers
The report matters because “how to get thicker hair” ranks among the most-searched beauty questions, and consumers spend heavily on products that the experts suggest often cannot deliver transformational results. Richardson notes that people with naturally thick hair often credit products that had little to do with their hair type, while those from families with fine hair are being sold an unrealistic expectation of dense strands.
The trichologists’ framing gives readers a more realistic yardstick: genetics sets the parameters, but within those limits, diet, scalp health and styling choices measurably affect density and the look of fullness. Kingsley adds that hair’s nutritional requirements are unusually high because hair cells are among the second fastest-growing cells the body produces — which is why the impact of nutrition on hair growth “should not be underestimated,” and why thinning can be an early signal of a wider deficiency worth investigating with a professional.
From Status Symbol to Search Query
The pursuit of thicker hair is far from new. The Glamour UK report traces it back to ancient civilisations, when voluminous hair served as a status symbol conveying wealth, fertility, virility, divine favour or social standing. What has changed is the marketplace around that desire: a growing shelf of supplements, serums and treatments — several of which, including the Philip Kingsley Density range and UKLASH hair vitamins, feature in the report’s product recommendations — promising density gains that the expert commentary itself cautions against over-expecting.
The expert guidance also reflects an established distinction in trichology between permanent texture and changeable condition. Environmental factors such as over-styling and excessive traction, dietary shortfalls and underlying medical issues can all reduce thickness below a person’s genetic baseline — and identifying which of these applies is the stated reason to consult a trichologist rather than self-treating.
“It’s important to remember that our maximum hair thickness is fundamentally dictated by our genetics. Equally, if your whole family has thinner or finer hair, expecting dense hair is unrealistic for the parameters your body can work with.”
— Eleanore Richardson, MIT, trichologist at Fulham Scalp & Hair Clinic
Where the Evidence Stops Short
Several points remain unresolved. The supplement recommendations — biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and iron — are framed by the experts as useful only where a deficiency exists; the report does not present clinical trial data on their effect on hair thickness in people with adequate levels. Biotin in particular has been widely marketed for hair despite limited evidence of benefit for those who are not deficient.
The source article also carries affiliate product recommendations, including items from a brand co-founded by one of the quoted experts, which is a potential commercial consideration readers may want to weigh. Specific outcomes — how much density or volume any individual can regain, and over what timeframe — are not quantified. The report briefly lists minoxidil and scalp massage among options but does not detail efficacy data for them. Anyone experiencing sudden or severe shedding is advised by the experts to seek a professional assessment, since medical causes cannot be ruled out from general guidance alone.
How to Put the Advice Into Practice
For readers acting on the report, the practical sequence the trichologists suggest is: first assess nutrition and correct deficiencies, ideally confirmed by a professional; second, maintain scalp health through frequent gentle cleansing; third, style mindfully to limit traction and heat damage; and finally use volumising cuts and products to create the appearance of fullness where strand diameter cannot be changed.
Those with unexplained or accelerating thinning are pointed toward a consultation with a trichologist or doctor to screen for dietary gaps, lifestyle factors and underlying medical conditions. The report also flags minoxidil as a pharmacological option, which typically requires sustained use and professional guidance — an avenue best explored with a clinician rather than started independently. Follow-up coverage in the series addresses how to stimulate hair growth more broadly.
Key Questions
Can any product permanently change fine hair into thick hair?
No, according to the trichologists quoted. Hair texture and maximum thickness are genetically determined, so someone born with fine hair will generally have fine hair for life. Products can improve density, condition and the appearance of volume, but not the diameter your genes have set.
What is the difference between hair density and hair volume?
Density refers to how many strands grow on the scalp; volume relates to the diameter of each strand. You can have thick strands but low density, or fine strands in high numbers. The two require different approaches — density is addressed through scalp care and nutrition, volume through styling and cuts.
Do hair supplements like biotin actually work?
Only if you have a deficiency, according to the experts. Kingsley lists biotin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and iron as potentially helpful where levels are low, but taking them without a confirmed shortfall offers little expected benefit. A trichologist can help identify deficiencies before you supplement.
Which foods support thicker hair?
The report recommends a balanced diet rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fats, vitamin D and B vitamins. Specific protein sources include chicken breast, eggs, fish, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, lentils, beans, tofu, nuts and seeds.
When should I see a professional about thinning hair?
If you are unsure of the cause, shedding has increased noticeably, or thinning has come on suddenly. The experts say thinning can stem from over-styling, traction, diet or medical reasons, and a trichologist can help identify which applies rather than guessing with products.
Source: rss
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