Sporting a full head of beautiful, shiny hair is something most people want. When your hair starts thinning and your scalp starts showing, however, you will likely want to take some form of action. Thinning, lackluster hair is treatable. A poor diet may be a contributing factor to limp, lifeless hair. Changing your eating habits may restore your thick, healthy hair. Proper brushing, blow drying and washing techniques can also give you volume and shine, especially if you use volumizing products.
Wash your hair with a volumizing shampoo. Use a shampoo with niacin or Vitamin B3. Niacin can make hair appear thicker, according to a study reported in the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology" in 2005. Wheat protein can have a similar effect when used in a shampoo, according to a December 2009 article in the online version of "Good Housekeeping."
Use a volumizing conditioner. "Good Housekeeping" warns that a heavy volumizing conditioner, or any other heavy products, can cause your hair to look flat.
Use a thickening spray on your still-damp hair. Try Nioxin Volume & Texture Crème or Bumble & Bumble Thickening Spray to give texture to your hair to improve its appearance, as recommended by "Good Housekeeping."
Blow dry your hair. Use a round brush to hold the hair a few inches above your scalp, starting at the back. Blow dry the roots first. Pull the brush up toward the ends of your hair. Move the blow dryer up after the brush. This will smooth and dry your hair to give it a shiny, full look when you have finished. Work in sections, moving forward, until your hair is dry. Flip your head over and continue to blow dry from root to tip.
Take a multivitamin and multi-mineral supplement. B vitamins and biotin are especially important for growing healthy hair, says Nicole Sundene, M.D., of the Kitchen Table Medicine website.
Eat flax seed. Sundene suggests eating freshly ground flax seeds for the omega-3 and the protein, which she says are both helpful for growing shiny hair. Sprinkle ground flax seeds on cereal, salads, oatmeal or your dish of choice. Include flax seed in smoothies if you do not care for the taste directly on foods. Use pre-ground seeds or drink flax seed oil to skip the grinding step. One tablespoon of oil or 1 to 3 tbsp. ground flax seed is advised.
Try Rogaine or Propecia, both medications for treating hair loss, to reverse hair loss or at least prevent further loss.