What Is Hair Volume and Why Does It Matter?
Hair volume refers to the fullness, body and lift of your hair. It’s determined by factors like the thickness of individual hair strands, the number of hairs on your scalp (hair density), and how much space your hair takes up.
Having voluminous hair is desirable for many people because it can make hair look healthier, more youthful and vibrant. Flat, limp hair can appear thin and lifeless in comparison. Volume is especially important for those with fine or thinning hair who want their hair to look fuller.
Beyond the aesthetic benefits, having more volume can also make hair easier to style in certain ways. Updos, blowouts and styles that require a lot of body and movement need a good foundation of volume to work well.
So while volume may seem like just a cosmetic concern, it actually plays an important role in the overall look, feel and manageability of hair. That’s why many people seek out volumizing hair products, techniques and ingredients to amp up their locks.
How Do Volumizing Ingredients Work?
Volumizing shampoo ingredients generally work in one of a few key ways to plump up the hair:
- Expanding the hair shaft: Some ingredients can penetrate into the hair’s cortex and swell the hair shaft from the inside, making each strand thicker. Ingredients like hydrolyzed wheat protein work in this way.
- Depositing particles: Lightweight particles from ingredients like silica or keratin can adhere to the surface of the hair, bulking it up and creating more volume. The particles are small enough not to weigh hair down.
- Removing buildup: Styling products, hard water minerals, and other impurities can build up on the hair over time, weighing it down. Clarifying agents in shampoos remove this buildup so hair is lighter and bouncier.
- Providing lift at the roots: Some polymers and resins in shampoo can actually coat the hair and help lift it up and away from the scalp when blow-drying, creating more volume at the crown.
The best volumizing shampoos often contain a strategic blend of ingredients that work through multiple mechanisms to maximize volume. The specific ingredients depend on the shampoo formula and the hair type it’s designed for.
What Natural Ingredients Can Add Volume to Hair?
While many volumizing shampoos rely on synthetic ingredients, there are also plenty of natural options that can effectively plump up fine, flat hair. Some top volume-boosting ingredients from nature include:
1. Rice Protein
Hydrolyzed rice protein is able to penetrate the hair shaft and increase its diameter from the inside. Rice proteins also have a low molecular weight, so they can boost volume without weighing hair down.
2. Bamboo Extract
Bamboo is rich in silica, which can strengthen hair and make it appear thicker. Bamboo extract is a lightweight ingredient that coats the hair strands to create fuller-looking hair.
3. Aloe Vera
The enzymes and vitamins in aloe vera help to remove product buildup from the scalp and hair. This allows hair to be lighter and bouncier. Aloe also moisturizes to prevent hair from looking dry and brittle.
4. Quinoa Protein
Protein extracted from quinoa seeds can help strengthen and thicken hair strands. Quinoa protein also helps repair damage on the hair’s surface, allowing it to better reflect light and appear fuller.
5. Algae Extract
Mineral-rich algae extracts, like those from seaweed or kelp, can coat the hair shaft to physically plump it up. The minerals and amino acids in algae also nourish and strengthen hair to support volume.
When formulated properly, natural volumizing ingredients can work just as well as their synthetic counterparts. They are a good option for those who prefer a clean beauty approach or have sensitivities to certain chemicals.
What Role Do Surfactants Play in Volumizing Shampoos?
Surfactants are a key component of any shampoo because they are cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil from the scalp and hair. However, the type of surfactants used can make a big difference in a shampoo’s volumizing abilities.
Many common shampoo surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate or ammonium lauryl sulfate are very effective cleansers, but they can also be quite harsh and stripping. They may remove too much of the hair’s natural oils, leading to dryness, breakage and a lack of volume over time.
Volumizing shampoos often use gentler, sulfate-free surfactants that thoroughly cleanse without being overly aggressive. Some top options include:
- Cocamidopropyl betaine: Derived from coconut oil, this mild surfactant removes dirt and buildup without stripping away moisture.
- Sodium cocoyl isethionate: A coconut-based surfactant that provides a creamy lather and a gentle cleanse. It’s less likely to irritate a sensitive scalp.
- Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate: Though it is sulfate-based, this anionic surfactant is milder than SLS and less likely to cause dryness or fading in color-treated hair.
- Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate: Considered a “next generation” mild cleanser, SLMI effectively washes away buildup while being gentle enough for daily use.
The right surfactants will clean the hair and scalp without overdrying, allowing hair to maintain its natural body and fullness. Avoid very stripping cleansers in volumizing shampoos, as they may have the opposite effect and lead to limp, brittle hair in the long run.
How Do Complementary Ingredients Enhance Volume?
While ingredients like proteins and polymers are the star players when it comes to adding volume, they don’t work alone. There are several other ingredients commonly used in volumizing shampoos that help create the ideal conditions for full, bouncy hair:
Moisturizers
Keeping hair well-hydrated is key for preventing the dryness and breakage that can lead to thin, flat hair over time. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera draw moisture into the hair and seal it in to maintain hair’s strength, elasticity and volume.
Vitamins & Nutrients
Certain vitamins and minerals can help support healthy hair growth and structure, leading to naturally fuller hair. Biotin, niacin, and vitamins A, C and E are common nutrient additives in volumizing shampoos. They may also help strengthen the hair to prevent breakage and thinning.
Panthenol
Also known as pro-vitamin B5, panthenol coats and thickens the hair shaft to boost volume. It also attracts moisture to prevent dryness, and may help repair existing damage on the hair’s surface.
Silicones
Used judiciously, lightweight silicones like dimethicone or cyclomethicone can help volumizing ingredients adhere to the hair shaft and create a thickening effect. Silicones also add shine and slip to the hair to make it look lustrous and full. Avoid heavy silicones that can weigh hair down.
Keratin
Keratin is the protein that makes up the majority of the hair shaft. Hydrolyzed keratin in shampoos can strengthen the hair and replace lost protein to prevent thinning and breakage. Keratin also helps smooth the hair cuticle so it appears fuller and healthier.
When all of these ingredients work in harmony with volumizers, they amplify the volumizing effect and keep hair looking full and bouncy over time. A well-rounded volumizing shampoo formula addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of fine, thin hair.
What’s the Difference Between Hair Density and Volume?
Although they are related, hair density and hair volume are two distinct properties:
| Hair Density | Hair Volume |
|---|---|
| The number of individual hairs on the scalp per square inch | How much space the hair takes up, its “fluffiness” |
| Genetically determined, can’t be changed much | Can be enhanced with products, techniques and ingredients |
| Measured by counting hairs in a small scalp section | Assessed visually based on hair’s lift, body and fullness |
| Decreases with age and male/female pattern baldness | Impacted by hair diameter, density, styling and products |
So while someone with high hair density (lots of strands) is more likely to naturally have more volume, it’s not always the case. Even those with lower hair density can achieve a fuller look by maximizing the volume of the hair they do have.
On the flip side, someone with naturally thick, dense hair may still have low volume if their hair is weighed down by heavy products, lack of proper cleansing, damage or poor styling techniques. Density alone doesn’t guarantee voluminous hair.
Understanding the difference between density and volume can help you assess your hair’s specific needs and choose the right products and techniques to achieve your ideal look. Volumizing products are beneficial for most hair types and densities.
How to Choose the Right Volumizing Shampoo?
With so many volumizing shampoos on the market, it can be tricky to find the right formula for your unique hair. Here are some factors to consider:
Hair Type
Is your hair fine, medium or coarse? Straight, wavy or curly? Color-treated or natural? Certain volumizing ingredients may work better for certain hair types. For example, fine hair may do best with very lightweight formulas, while thick, curly hair can handle richer, more moisturizing ingredients.
Scalp Concerns
If you have a dry, itchy or sensitive scalp, opt for sulfate-free, low-lather shampoos with soothing ingredients like aloe or oat protein. Avoid heavy fragrances or harsh surfactants that can irritate the scalp and lead to inflammation and hair loss.
Styling Needs
Consider your typical styling routine when choosing a volumizing shampoo. If you blow dry and heat style often, look for formulas with thermal protectants. If you air dry, you may want a shampoo with extra moisture and frizz control.
Ingredient Preferences
Do you prefer to use clean, naturally-derived ingredients or are you open to safe synthetics? Check the ingredient label to ensure the shampoo fits your preferences and doesn’t contain anything you want to avoid.
Hold & Finish
Volumizing shampoos can provide different levels of hold and final finish on the hair. Some create a soft, natural-looking volume while others deliver a stronger, more structured lift. Consider your desired end result when choosing a formula.
It may take some trial and error to find your perfect volumizing shampoo match. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formulas until you achieve your ideal volume and style.
With the right combination of volumizing ingredients, gentle cleansing, and strand-supporting nutrients, a good volumizing shampoo can help even the finest, flattest hair achieve a fuller, lifted look. By understanding how these products work and what to look for, you’ll be well on your way to your biggest, bounciest hair yet.
