Many people suffer from thinning hair and hair loss because of a number of reasons, such as poor nutrition, genetics and stress. Some people desire thick, luscious locks but want to obtain them naturally rather than with hair extensions or wigs. Many people change their hairstyles and add layers to create the illusion of fuller hair, and others opt for volumizing shampoo to attain this sought-after look. There are many brands and products that claim to help with the problem of thin, lifeless heads of hair by lifting up fine hair and filling it out. The majority of these products feature protein as a staple ingredient.
Human hair is made of keratin, a strong fibrous scleroprotein found in the outer layers of hair, skin, nails, hooves and teeth. Naturally occurring thin hair, or fine hair, typically has less amino acids than thick hair naturally does. When a person regularly uses hair products, the amino acids usually are stripped from the hair, leaving it lifeless, flat and dull. Volumizing shampoo works to add humectants, which are non-oily substances that attract and pull in moisture from the surrounding environment. These humectants help to swell a person’s hair shafts to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair.
The major ingredients found in volumizing shampoo include panthenol, wheat protein, rice protein, silk protein and witch hazel. Each ingredient works to treat different components of thin hair. Panthenol has humectant properties, is usually made from plant extracts and is a non-irritating form of pro-vitamin B5. It also is used to treat skin disorders because it has incredible absorption properties. In a volumizing shampoo, it works to increase the intake of moisture around the hair shafts and plump up the hair roots.
Wheat protein is another common ingredient found in volumizing shampoo, and it works to repair damaged hair with its natural properties of moisture retention and film forming. This assists hair in several areas, including overall body; elasticity, which results in less hair breakage; smoothness; and shine. Rice protein helps strengthen and expand the hair shaft diameter to achieve a thicker appearance. It also can give the hair more volume, lift and bounce.
Silk protein is found in more expensive lines of volumizing shampoo, and it works to restore and rebalance the hair’s natural pH levels. This typically prevents brittleness and adds moisture to hair without adding weight to the surface, which can make hair look thicker. Witch hazel extract is also used to add moisture to hair, provide hair resiliency and prevent hair loss.