Hair Loss Concealer: What to Know Before Buying
Dealing with hair loss? The good news: You’ve got a ton of options to help you manage and conceal it. Let’s talk about one you might be a bit sceptical about: hair loss concealers.
Also known as bald spot concealers, these products create the look of fuller hair by adding artificial thickness and volume. How? By clinging to your follicles and covering up your scalp.
Before you buy that hair powder for thinning hair, there are a few things you should know about using hair loss concealer and protecting and preserving the hair you have left.
What Is Hair Loss Concealer?
Hair concealer (also known as scalp concealer or bald spot filler) is a pigmented product that covers thinning areas to make your hair look thicker. Popular hair loss concealer brands include Dermmatch, Caboki, and Toppik.
A good hair concealer aims to blend in with your existing hair for a natural look. These products work for different hair types and come in various colours — from blonde to medium brown to jet black.
For the 30 to 50 percent of men who deal with male pattern baldness by the age of 50, hair concealers are an easy way to instantly hide hair loss.
But they don’t actually treat the root cause of alopecia (AKA hair loss).
How Hair Concealers Work
Bald spot fillers typically fall into three main categories:
Fibers
Powders
Liquid
Liquid concealers change the colour of your scalp to make bald areas less obvious. Powders and fibres create the illusion of visibly thicker hair.
The right option for covering up bald spots depends on the severity of your hair loss.
We discuss each type in more detail below.
Hair Fibre Concealers
Fibre hair loss concealers, orhair-building fibres, are tiny fibres made from proteins such as keratin.
Keratin hair fibres cling to your natural hair by static electricity. The best hair fibers for thinning hair are durable and can withstand wind, water, and other harsh weather conditions.
Thickening fibres come in a range of shades to match your natural hair. When sprinkled or sprayed into your hair, the coarse powders create the illusion of thickness in areas of your scalp affected by hair loss.
Hair Powder Concealers
Just like a good concealer for your skin, hair-thinning powder hides bare spots and thin areas on your scalp with a matching colour. You apply it with a sponge, then brush it out for even coverage.
These powders are water-resistant like hair fibres but wash out easily with shampoo.
Liquid Hair Concealers
Some liquid hair loss concealers add artificial thickness by coating your hair shaft, which makes your hair look instantly fuller. Others act like root touch-up sprays, colouring your scalp to blend seamlessly with your hair and reduce any stark contrast between your hair and skin.
They come in spray form or with applicators, similar to makeup.
Hair Loss Concealer Benefits
If your hair is thinning or you have noticeable hair loss, hair concealers offer a few notable benefits:
Thicker-looking hair. High-quality bald spot concealers can provide full coverage and come in various colors to match your hair. Though research is limited, user feedback is promising — 71 percent of users in an anonymous survey reported a boost in self-esteem thanks to concealer use.
Affordability. Most hair loss concealers are budget-friendly. You can find well-reviewed bald spot fillers online and in drugstores, often costing less than $100 for a month’s supply.
Speed. Hair loss medications minoxidil and finasteride are highly effective, but they can take months to start working. While they can’t stop hair loss, concealers provide instant results.
Convenience. Most hair loss concealers are easy to apply in just a few minutes. They’re perfect for last-minute touch-ups before important events or on the go.
prescription hair loss treatment
Disadvantages of Hair Concealers
Is hair powder bad for your hair? While hair-thinning powder is a good option for some people, it might not work for everyone.
Here are some hair loss concealer cons to consider:
Results are temporary. Hair loss concealer is a temporary solution that doesn’t actually treat hair loss or kickstart the hair growth cycle. Many concealers wash out as soon as you shampoo your hair.
It can look fake. Some hair loss concealers can look artificial, especially if you have severe hair loss. It can help to try a few different options to find the perfect match for your hair.
Application can be messy. Some hair loss concealers can be messy to apply, especially powders and liquids. Pigment can also sometimes rub off on pillows, hats, and other surfaces.
They can irritate the skin. Some people might experience skin reactions when using scalp concealer, including irritation or redness. Although rare, excessive use of hair concealer or aggressively scrubbing it off can also lead to inflammation of the hair follicles.
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Before/after images shared by customers who have purchased varying products, including prescription-based products. Customers were compensated for their testimonials. These customers’ results have not been independently verified. Individual results will vary.
Alternatives to Hair Loss Concealers
Bald spot concealers can cover up thinning but they don’t actually treat the root cause of hair loss.
Early signs of balding include:
Noticeable hair thinning
A change in your hairline
More hair loss than usual when showering or brushing
Luckily, you can use concealers, wigs, hats, toupees, and hair tattoos alongside research-backed hair loss medications like finasteride and minoxidil.
If you really want to protect yourself from further hair loss, consider the following hair loss treatments:
Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical medication that stimulates hair growth and slows down hair loss. Daily use can help prevent hair loss and may even help you to grow back hair in areas with noticeable thinning. We offer this treatment online as a foam or solution.
Finasteride. Finasteride is a prescription medication that works by blocking the production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair loss in men prone to male pattern baldness. We offer finasteride online either as an oral medication or as a combination topical finasteride & minoxidil spray, following a consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.
Volumising products. If you’ve noticed your hair getting thinner, you may want to add hair products with ingredients like saw palmetto to your haircare routine. For instance, a volumising shampoo and conditioner that uses hair thickener ingredients like biotin, rice protein, and argan oil. Or, a thickening shampoo with saw palmetto.
Biotin supplements. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in hair, skin, and nail growth.
Hair transplant surgery. This surgical procedure involves transplanting hairs from the back and sides of your head to the scalp and hairline. Hair transplant surgery can be expensive, but it’s permanent and may be a good option for those with severe hair loss.
If you’re interested in more ideas to cover up thinning hair, check out our guide on how to get rid of bald spots.
Or try one of these haircuts for men with thin hair the next time you’re at the barber. Another option? Own your hair loss with these tips on how to look good balding.
Hair loss treatments, delivered
The Final Word on Bald Spot Concealers
Worried about a growing bald spot or just longing for thick, youthful locks? Hair loss concealer might help you fill in thinning areas while hair loss medications take time to promote regrowth.
Let’s recap what we know about hair loss concealers:
Hair loss concealers are pigmented products. They help fill in thinning areas and blend with your natural hair to make it look thicker.
They’re best for people with mild to moderate hair loss. Bald spot fillers come in different colours and forms, from hair-building fibres to hair powder and liquid hair concealers. Whether your hair is light brown, blonde, auburn, or dark brown, there’s a good chance you’ll find a product that matches your hair colour.
They’re not a treatment for hair loss. Hair loss concealers are convenient, efficient, and typically affordable, but they’re only a temporary solution.
Hair loss can have a big impact on your confidence and self-esteem, so it’s natural to search high and low for a solution. We’re here to help.
Explore more hair loss treatments to find the best one for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your GP about the risks and benefits of any treatment.