Thicker Hair.

Byline: Erin Quinn

Five easy steps to fatten up thin hair.

The saying "thin is in" may be true for laptops, cell phones, and, up to a point, models, but it's never been true for hair. Most women would happily have plump hair, but nature doesn't always work in our favor. Even those born with thick hair may be vexed by thinness at some point in their lives.

Some hair thinning is temporary, such as the kind that occurs during pregnancy. When a woman reaches her 40s, hormones cause the diameter of each hair strand to shrink, while the number of active hair follicles starts to decrease. If your scalp is visible in patches or your part is noticeably wider, see a dermatologist to determine whether there's a medical cause. For less severe cases, products and styling techniques can make hair look thickeror fatter.

Wash hair with a volumizing shampoo that contains protein. Follow with a lightweight conditioner labeled for fine or thin hair, and apply it just from the ears down. Once out of the shower, gently blot your hair with a towel.

Apply a volumizer that has panthenol or resins throughout damp hair. Spritz on a heat-protecting spray, avoiding the roots, then gently untangle the hair with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and working your way up.

Remove your dryer's nozzle, then set the heat to medium. Flip your head upside down and blow-dry while running a vent brush through hair. When hair is almost dry, flip your head up and finish drying with a medium-size round brush.