Will Deep Conditioner Make My Hair Thicker?
Deep conditioner can do many things. It can hydrate super dry hair, eliminate frizz, and repair fried hair after aggressive heat styling or bleaching. But can it make your hair thicker? We’ll examine the answer to that question in detail in this article.
Deep Conditioner Can Make Your Hair Thicker
Deep conditioner is not technically a hair-thickening product. It is not designed to provide hair thickening benefits the way that thickening sprays and lotions do. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t give you thicker hair. Let us explain.
When a reparative deep conditioner is used regularly on broken and damaged hair, the hair may begin to thicken after the condition of the hair is restored. Why does this happen? Unhealthy, brittle hair with broken and damaged cuticles can lose some of its thickness. But if you use a reparative protein-based deep conditioner that fills in damaged spots along the hair shaft, you may notice thicker hair over time.
Your hair thickness has a lot to do with how you care for your hair after it has emerged from your scalp. Neglected hair will show signs - increased shedding and breakage are some of the most common. When you care for your hair and give it the nutrients it needs, with a quality deep conditioner, its cuticle will remain intact and maintain its full thickness from root to tip.
Note: If your hair is already healthy and strong, the chances of your deep conditioner making your hair thicker are slim. Those with damaged hair are much more likely to see results.
Thickening Ingredients in Deep Conditioner
Many ingredients used in deep conditioners can give the illusion of thicker hair, meaning that they make your hair appear thicker. Here are some of the most common thickening ingredients in deep conditioner:
- Castor oil - Castor oil is one of the heaviest oils you’ll find in deep conditioners. They strengthen the hair and give the instant illusion of added thickness. Olive oil has the same effect on hair. Beware: If your hair is fine, you’ll want to limit your use of castor oil – it can weigh your hair down.
- Eggs - Many people have credited eggs with thickening their hair. While eggs cannot actually increase the thickness of your individual hairs, they coat them in protein and leave them looking thicker.
- Glycerin - Glycerin draws moisture into the hair, making it plumper and thicker-looking. Its effects are temporary but may be noticeable after just one deep conditioning treatment.
Not all deep conditioners contain these ingredients. So, if you want a deep conditioner that can help thicken your hair, you have two options (1) make your own deep conditioner with eggs, castor oil, and other hair thickening ingredients, or (2) check the ingredient list for any deep conditioner you’re planning on buying to ensure that one or more of these ingredients are present. We wish you the best of luck as you search for ways to get thicker hair!
Author: Andrea Reyes
Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.