The 5 best hair thickening products

Good scalp care and the right styling products can help hide any follicular shortcomings

Cutting edge: Actress Louise Brooks in 1925 (Getty Images)

My hair has always been thick. Indeed, my sister teases me about a bob I had when I was younger, that at its bottom was the width of her hand. Louise Brooks I am not. Once I hit my teens I learnt a good blow-drying technique, and that skill, coupled with a Parlux hairdryer, can't be beaten for tonsorial taming.

But still I would regularly bemoan my abundance of hair – until about a year ago, when I noticed that my hitherto profuse locks were actually on the wane. My scalp was showing a bit more than I'd like. An appointment with a Philip Kingsley trichologist later and I had a prescription that should help stop the hair loss.

Mine is a genetic form of alopecia but many women's hair loss is the result of stress or hormonal imbalance. A protein-rich diet is important for hair growth, but good scalp care and the right styling products can help hide any follicular shortcomings – even if only cosmetically – and help you feel confident rather than self-conscious.

Plumping cream

£18.50, PK Prep, philipkingsley.co.uk

This new lightweight cream is great for hair that is fine or flyaway because it makes hair look fuller without weighing it down.

Thickening tonic

£19, aveda.co.uk

I use this heat-activated spray on my roots, where it adds volume to the hair shaft and, as if by magic, helps to hide thinning.

Hair preserving shampoo

£23, bumbleandbumble.co.uk

I'm terrible about getting regular trims, but this range helps keep my hair looking healthy. It's good for the scalp too.

Beauty-Full volume pre-wash conditioner

£4.99, Tresemmé, superdrug.com

This reverse-wash system means that excess weight is washed away and volume styled in will stay put – great for fine hair.

Volume & Bounce – Perfect Finish Hairspray

£6.99, Charles Worthington, boots.com

Hairspray doesn't have to create a helmet any more. This medium-hold finishing spray adds body and helps stop styling falling flat.