Significance

• Thick hair is an almost universal signal of health, youth and fertility in women. It's easy to see why, as the health of one's hair is indicative of overall health. Nutritional deficiencies, illnesses and certain medicines can result in weak and brittle hair.
  
  Men, to a lesser degree, can also be seen as youthful and virile if they have thick, luxurious hair. While baldness has also become a fashion statement, there are treatments for men that thicken and regrow hair.
  
  

Nutrition

• For many, a switch in what they eat will go a long way to thickening their hair. Foods that are purported to help thicken hair include eggs, fish oils and dairy. These foods support the health of hair. Proteins also play a large part in hair production, so vegans and vegetarians need to be especially careful that they are getting adequate protein in one way or another, to ensure thick hair.
  
  There are also vitamins that are geared specifically toward increasing hair thickness. They will typically contain zinc, vitamin A and vitamin B12 .
  
  

Hair Products

• There are many shampoos, conditioners, hot oils and other cremes, lotions and treatments made to thicken hair. In fact, it's an industry on its own. Bottles of shampoos and conditioners at the grocery store will claim to thicken, volumize or add body to limp hair.
  
  Keeping the scalp clean and free of oils and debris will also allow the roots to lift, adding a look of thickness to hair; using lightweight products will do the same.
  
  Externally, however, these products have limited effectiveness if the hair is not handled with care, or if you have poor nutrition. Over processing, too much brushing or tying hair too tightly will cause breakage and balding beyond what products can do to help.
  
  

New Growth

• Popular among balding men are products that contain minoxidil, which will have some effectiveness toward bringing back that youthful thick-haired look. There are similar products marketed toward women as well.
  
  Hair transplants have also come a long way since the plugs that would make your head look like a doll's, with regular patches of hair dotting your scalp.
  
  

Faking it

• When in an emergency and in need of a full-looking head of hair, some people will resort to extensions, or weaves, which are temporary augmentations.
  
  Curling hair may also provide the illusion of thick hair, but beware of over perming your hair because the resulting damage may just thin it further.
  
  For balding people, there are sprays that add color to bald spots to hide them and make hair look thick.