As someone who lost a lot of volume on top during lockdown, I understand how fine and thinning hair can wreck your self-esteem. I would always recommend having a blood test to check your nutritional and hormonal levels and discover the underlying cause of hair loss, but in the meantime these products can make a visible difference.
1. The science-backed solution
Regaine for Women Extra Strength Scalp Foam
This is the best product you can buy over the counter, clinically proven to work for women with hormonal hair loss by increasing blood flow to follicles and helping them to stay in the growing phase for longer. Foam is the easiest way to apply it — once a day, morning or night. Do shop around for the best price because once you start using Regaine, you will need to keep using it or your hair goes back to its old shedding pattern. £50 for a four-month supply; boots.com
2. The shampoo with added benefits
Head & Shoulders DermaxPro Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Recent research has shown that dandruff can weaken the hair and even compromise growth, so choose a shampoo like this one to help tackle the problem at the earliest possible stage. The active ingredient, piroctone olamine, works wonders on my itchy, flaky scalp and you get great value for money with this range. £5.99; superdrug.com
3. The caffeine ‘cure’
The Inkey List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment
There is some evidence that caffeine can block the effect of a hormone called DHT in scalp cells, which can cause hair loss. The trouble is that most caffeine shampoos are washed away, so this savvy company has formulated a sleep-in scalp serum. While I am yet to be convinced of its effectiveness in female hair loss, I think at this price point it is well worth a try and could help with menopausal hair thinning. £15; lookfantastic.com
4. The parting power-up
Nanogen Keratin Hair Fibres
This clever powder contains tiny fibres that mimic hair growth on the scalp to instantly shrink wide partings and fill out thinning hairlines and crowns. Yes, it is purely cosmetic and won’t help with regrowth, but the effect is impressive. Plus it comes in a handy shaker applicator and there are ten shades to choose from. There is also a waterproofing spray if you need it. £24 for a two-month supply; boots.com
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5. The volumiser
Vichy Dercos Technique Densi-Solutions Thickening Shampoo
This contains a blend of sugars to instantly volumise, and a silica-like gel that bonds to damaged and fine hair to make it feel and look thicker over time. It’s recommended that you use it every day, which I know might be a problem if you’re suffering hair shedding, but with this special shampoo you will keep your scalp healthy and get a volume boost. £12.50; boots.com
6. The super spray
Living Proof Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray
This is the best volumising dry spray bar none. Simply shake the can and spray about 6in from your roots, then ruffle your fingers through your hair and voilà — it doubles in size without stickiness or having to blow-dry or style. It also adds oomph for updos and post-gym days. From £16; livingproof.co.uk
7. The magical mousse
Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer
Hairstylists will tell you that nothing volumises during blow-drying better than a mousse, but we tend to think of them as old-school and sticky. Well, not this one. This foam adds oomph and holding power to hair but leaves it easy to brush and comb; nor does it feel tacky to touch. £24; uk.colorwowhair.com
8. The scalp solution
RevitaLash Volume Enhancing Foam
A prostaglandin analogue applied to the scalp can help extend the life cycle of your hair, allowing it to grow for longer. RevitaLash has cornered the market in lash-growth serums and now it has supersized the formula and put it into a foam to make it easier to apply to the scalp. Expensive, but worth a try if you have excessive hair shedding. £125; spacenk.com
9. The weightless conditioner
TreSemmé 1 Minute Wow! Repair Intensive Treatment
Biotin is a vitamin — B7 — that few of us are deficient in, but brands love to pop it into products formulated for fine hair. That said, this is a brilliant budget conditioner. It helps to smooth, detangle and add shine without weighing down fine and thinning hair. £4.99; boots.com
10. The punchy powder
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VO5 Matt Finish Thickening Powder
Hair powders work to absorb sebum from the scalp and coat your roots to give grip to hair. They also separate strands to give a thicker appearance. This is essentially the effect of dry shampoo, but the modern formulations come as dab-on scalp powders. This one from VO5 is the best value around. £3.33; boots.com
Find @nadinebaggott on Instagram and YouTube where she answers all your beauty questions
