One obvious way to disguise hair loss is to cover or hide the effects by using various readily available, over the counter concealer There are various companies that offer these concealers in the form of powders or sprays. They are normally made from chemicals and/or desiccated animal hair with added colours.
These concealers are temporary and must be renewed at least once a day, sometimes even more often. Even though different concealers may in fact be applied in different ways, they are all based on the same basic principle: the concealer clings to existing thinning/fine hair to make it appear thicker and fuller and can therefore only work if enough hair is left for it to cling to in the first place. Some concealers also temporarily colour the the scalp. Generally speaking, the delivery method for these concealers is as a propelled spray in an aerosol can or a pepper pot type shaker unit.
The spray is usually designed to deliver a static charge of light electricity in the process of the application. This means that when the spray/colour product (animal hair or a paint-like substance) hits the hair, it sticks and creates the illusion of thicker hair. By filling in the gaps between the thin hairs with a colour product, less of the exposed scalp skin can be seen. Then, by carefully brushing the product (it is often slightly sticky but dries solid), a hair-like appearance can be achieved. Some products come with a follow-up fixer spray (this works like strong hairspray). This sets the now thicker looking hair, but hardens in such a way that the hair becomes quite stiff and immovable. In this way, the skin of the scalp is less exposed and a fuller look is achieved.
Some concealers come in the form of a powder. Similar to the spray, the idea behind this is that by shaking the powder-like coloured product onto bare patches of skin with fine hairs, the skin is concealed, giving a fuller effect of thicker looking hair since the scalp can no longer been seen shining through. However, these powder-based solutions can also take away the natural shine of the hair, making it look very matt and less Some wearer also brush the powder into streaks in the hair to create an illusion of fuller hair.
If you have very little or no hair then temporary concealers won’t work for you. Hair loss sufferers using this as a solution need to retain at least some fine hair and a good covering across the scalp. Without it, the concealer has nothing to adhere to.
You may find using concealers very limiting when it comes to your actual day-to-day activities as many of them can be washed, rained, blown or rubbed off. Some people who use concealing products don’t allow anyone too close to their hair or let them touch it, for fear of it coming off. When you do touch the hair, it can feel like paint, depending on the specific product. Bed linen and clothing is often stained if the concealer isn’t washed out before going to bed, for example. You may therefore end up feeling more aware of and self-conscious about your hair loss, rather than more confident. Some users find their morning routine more complicated and stressful, as they have to invest more time in making their hair look realistic. Concealer users report taking up to 45 minutes to achieve a workable effect.
Listed side effects
Some people can have an allergic reaction to the chemicals used in concealer sprays and powders.
Cost
Concealers can be relatively cheap. Some powders come in at around £15 – £40 per unit, with the sprays in a similar price bracket. However, since they need to be applied frequently, you may find yourself using large quantities of these products and spending more money in the long run. Many companies offer bulk purchasing or a monthly payment plan for a year at a time.
Success rate
Low to poor. Concealers are easily detectable from close up, prone to coming away and only work if there is enough hair left on the scalp to start with.
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