Does Hair Thickening Spray Really Work? Truth Inside

You have come across various hair thickening products that promise instant volume and thickness. Among these, hair thickening sprays are gaining popularity for delivering quicker results. They are suitable for fine, thinning hair or visible scalp patches.  

A question you might have is: Does hair thickening spray really work? Yes, it works by coating each hair strand with polymers and proteins. This gives the hair a fuller look. Although it doesn’t allow hair regrowth, it is an ideal choice for events, photos, or daily styling.

In this article, you will find the benefits, side effects, tips for using hair thickening sprays, and how to choose the right product. Let’s uncover the truth and discover volumizing miracles of these hair thickening sprays. 

What Is Hair Thickening Spray?

Hair thickening spray is a specialized product that gives your hair a fuller and more voluminous appearance. It is beneficial for fine, thinning hair. 

These sprays are carefully applied at a distance to create a thin, almost invisible layer around each hair strand. This layer consists of polymers (such as PVP and polyquaternium) and proteins (like keratin and hydrolyzed wheat protein), specifically chosen to adhere to the hair. As a result, the hair appears thicker and more abundant. 

A high quality hair thickening spray balances effective thickening with a natural texture and feel. Hair thickening products come in various forms, including shampoos, conditioners, serums, foams, and sprays.

How Do Hair Thickening Spray Work?

The hair thickening sprays have a two-fold mechanism to create a fuller look: 

• The liquid formula is applied on each strand.
• It creates an illusion of increased volume and thickness. 

These sprays provide an apparent satisfaction, making your hair look thicker without actually growing more. 

A quality hair thickening spray releases a fine mist containing tiny particles of polymers and proteins. These lightweight particles adhere to each hair strand, increasing the diameter of the hair shaft. This improves the thickness of hair, giving a more denser and voluminous look. 

Two of the benefits of using a high-quality hair spray include:

• It never leaves your hair feeling sticky or stiff.
• It makes styling flexible and easy, portraying a natural, thicker appearance. 

Advantages Of Hair Thickening Spray

There are many advantages of hair thickening spray that make them a go-to solution for you. This will help you understand and decide which is the right hair thickening spray for your needs:

1. Instant Volume & Thickness: Hair thickening spray provides an instant transformation by increasing the volume and thickness you desire.
2. Enhanced Hair Texture: The hair spray not only gives a thicker outlook, but also improves the texture. It gets easy for you to style your hair whichever way you like. 
3. Versatile Styling Options: You can use these sprays on every hairstyle to stay the same till the end of the event. 
4. Increase Self-Confidence: Voluminous hair raises confidence. Seeing yourself with healthier and vibrant hair makes you feel more satisfied. 

How To Choose The Right Hair Thickening Spray?

Selecting the right hair thickening spray is a transformative alternative to your fine hair. Since every individual has a unique hair type, consider the following factors when choosing a product:

• Hair Type: Check your hair type (fine, straight, thick, or curly), then make decisions accordingly. 
• Specific Concerns: Identify underlying issues dryness, managing oiliness, or reducing frizz that you want to resolve. 
• Product Formulation: Look for ingredients that add texture, volume, and protect hair without causing dryness or buildup. 
• Product Reviews: Read user reviews for a deeper understanding about the effectiveness. Therefore, you can make an informed decision. 

How to Use Hair Thickening Spray

Follow these tips to maximize the benefits of your chosen hair thickening spray:

1. Start With Clean, Dry Hair: Apply the product over clean, dry hair for maximum absorption. This will allow the spray to adhere perfectly and entirely to your hair strands. 
2. Maintain The Right Distance: When applying the product, keep the spray bottle about 6 to 8 inches away from your head. This distance helps in even distribution to your hair strands. It will also prevent overapplication, which leads to a sticky or stiff feel. 
3. Even Distribution: After spraying, use a comb or your fingers to slide it down through your hair for even distribution of the product. 
4. Proper Drying Time: Wait for the product to air dry or use a blow dryer on a low, cool setting. Styling your hair before it is fully dry can affect the spray’s effectiveness. 
5. Style As Desired: Once the hair thickening spray is dry, you can style your hair as you like, maintaining fullness and volume.

Hair Thickening Spray vs. Hair Fibres 

Here’s a comparison between hair thickening spray and hair fibers, which serve different needs. While hair thickening spray adds volume and texture, hair fibers are specifically for localized thinning or bald spots.

Feature	Thickening Spray	Hair Fibers
Main Use	Adds volume to entire hair	Covers thinning or bald spots
Look & Feel	Natural, soft, voluminous	Dense, powdery coverage
Styling	Heat-styling, long-lasting	Needs setting spray, limited styling
Durability	Resists humidity, lasts all day	May shift with sweat or rain
Ease of Use	Quick spray	Requires precision

How Long Do Hair Thickening Sprays Stay In?

Hair thickening spray is a temporary solution for fine, thin hair. It provides immediate volume by coating the hair shaft, making each strand look thicker. The longevity of the spray depends on several factors:

• Temporary Effect – It will only last until you wash your hair with a shampoo. 
• Coating The Hair – These sprays add a layer to hair strands, making it stand out as thicker. 
• Water Resistant – The spray can withstand light rain or perspiration, but it will only come out with a shampoo properly. 
• Application – To get best results, read the product’s instructions. It involves shaking it well before use, spraying it from a distance, and evenly distributing the product. 
• Leaves A Residue – There are high chances that frequent sprays feel sticky. It’s always better to choose a high-quality product that doesn’t stain. 

What Are The Side Effects Of Hair Thickening Sprays?

Using a hair thickening spray can be advantageous for your styling needs. So, if you want to go for a good hair thickening spray, first understand its side effects. 

• Hair Breakage And Hair Loss: Using some hair sprays excessively can make hair strands more brittle over time, which may lead to breakage. However, these products do not affect the hair follicle or cause true hair loss.
• Strip Away Scalp Oils: Most of the hair sprays consist of alcohol that removes all the natural oils from the scalp. This leads to dry, irritated scalp and the body produces more oil to compensate for the dry scalp. 
• Allergic Reactions: There is a high possibility that your body might react to chemicals in the spray. This can cause breakouts in the skin and lead to skin damage. 
• Dull Hair: The hair thickening spray can temporarily make your hair shine. Using it regularly causes your hair to lose its natural texture. They can strip away the nutrients and oils and create a dull outlook. 
• Dirt Trap: The hair sprays are quite heavy and become a center of attraction for a lot of germs, dust, and pollutants. All this dirt can trap in your hair and onto your scalp. As a result, it gives rise to inflammation and itchy scalp. 
• Respiratory Problems: You can inhale the spray during application because most of them are aerosols. It consists of chemicals that are harmful. If they reach your respiratory system, they can create problems.
• Irritant: The hair spray can get into your eyes, nose, and throat. Thus, it is advised to spray from a distance as it can cause burning and stinging sensations. 

Hair Thickening Spray- What Reddit Users Say

Many users have reported positive results with hair thickening sprays. Here are some insights from real user experience;

• Visible Volume: With minimal application, users have noticed a major difference in their hair. The hair looks fuller especially when sprayed near the parting or around the crown.
• Better Results On Longer Hair: According to one user, the hair spray works best over long hair strands. As the hair grows past shoulder length, it enhances the volumizing effect. 
• Easy To Wash Out: These sprays are water soluble and can easily wash out with a shampoo. 
• Doesn’t Feel Dry If Used Correctly.: If the hair sprays are applied carefully and less, it will neither make your hair dry nor harm them.

What Ingredients To Look For In A Hair Thickening Spray

When choosing a hair thickening spray, look for ingredients that strengthen hair without causing dryness or damage. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of ingredients:

• Humectants

These can attract and retain moisture. This prevents dryness and frizz, making hair look flat. Examples of humectants include glucose, glycerin, betaine, etc.

• Proteins

Keratin and vegetable proteins can make the hair shaft strong. This in turn improves elasticity, reduces breakage, and leads to thicker-looking hair.

• Hyaluronic Acid

It ensures to keep the hair plump up from within. Also, it improves volume and adds moisture to your hair. 

• Panthenol (Vitamin B5) 

It is a common ingredient found in hair thickening sprays. It hydrates your hair and moisturises the scalp. This leads to increased hair thickness and shine. 

• Biotin 

This vitamin is found in hair growth products. It thickens the hair and provides nourishment over time.

Who Should Avoid Hair Thickening Sprays? 

Hair thickening sprays are generally safe but they are not suitable for everyone. Consider the following factors:

Those With Scalp Conditions

Using hair thickening sprays for scalp conditions can make them worse, cause inflammation and block healing. These scalp conditions include eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, or psoriasis. 

Severe Hair Loss Or Bald Patches

These sprays can only work if you have hair on your head as they adhere to each hair strand. If there is no hair, the product will be ineffective. 

Clog Hair Follicles

Due to dirt accumulation, the hair pores get clogged. This makes hair feel sticky and heavy all the time. 

Trigger Allergic Reaction

Some hair thickening products consist of alcohol, polymers, or proteins. They will initiate an allergic reaction and make your scalp skin sensitive.

Is hair thickening spray safe for daily use?

Yes, but using them daily without washing your hair can lead to debris buildup and give a sticky feel.

Can men use hair thickening spray?

Hair thickening sprays are unisex and work great for men. Men dealing with thinning hair often use these sprays to create volume.

Does dry thickening spray cause buildup?

Yes, they can cause buildup if applied frequently without proper washing.

Can thickening sprays cause irritation?

Yes, individuals with sensitive scalp experience itching, redness, or dryness.

Can thickening sprays improve hair volume?

Yes, thickening sprays make your hair look fuller and thicker, increasing overall hair volume and texture.

Does hair thickening spray help with hair loss?

Not directly. These sprays do not stop hair loss or regrow hair. It makes thinning less noticeable by enhancing volume.