Is your hair thinning, or are you starting to show signs of baldness? Millions of people lose their hair, and this phase is very disturbing, especially for women. You should talk to your doctor, dermatologist, or hair loss specialist and consult about the latest medical treatments that treat hair loss. In the meantime, or if you don't want a hair replacement procedure, you can minimize thinning or baldness by changing your hairstyle and changing hair care products.
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Method 1 of 3: Hiding Baldness for Men
Step 1. Find a good hairdresser
The right cut can make hair look thicker and hide any fine patches. While a barber is a great option for a short, simple haircut, consider seeing a hairdresser if you experience signs of baldness. Hairdressers may be more expensive, but they can style hair to hide thin and/or bald patches, and teach you how to style it.
Step 2. Choose a short cut
Long hair will be heavier so the hair looks thin and lacks volume. In addition, the strands are also separated so that the scalp is visible. On the other hand, short (but not too short) hair creates volume and a “bold” effect. So, one section of hair can cover the edge of the next section so that the scalp is hidden.
Step 3. Shave the hair until it is completely bald
If you don't want to style your hair and/or give it volume every day, another method to hide baldness or thin hair is to bald your head completely. This may seem counterintuitive, but it works on purpose. Bald heads are stylish too, and people won't know if you're balding out of love or because your hair has fallen out.
- Use an electronic shaver to cut hair as short as possible. Then, use cream and a razor to finish the hair roots, just like when shaving your face.
- Shave your hair regularly so that no roots grow. If your baldness is severe enough that only one part of your head is covered with hair, the base of the hair on that side indicates that you've lost hair.
- Protect your head from the sun. Apply sunscreen to the scalp every day, and wear a hat in the sun to protect the head. Skin cancer can occur anywhere, even on the scalp.
Step 4. Grow hair on the face
Bald men look very attractive with beards and mustaches, and will distract from the hair that is not on the head. However, make sure that the beard and mustache are kept short and neat. A unkempt beard contrasts with short hair or a bald head, and is unprofessional in most work environments.
Step 5. Cover your head with a hat
Hats or bandanas are very effective at hiding baldness. Baseball hats are great for informal occasions, but a fedora is very stylish and fits well on any occasion. Wearing a hat can also protect your head from the sun. However, remember that you cannot wear a head covering in all situations. Many places of worship and workplaces require men to take off their hats when entering, and bandanas are too casual for a formal setting like an office.
Step 6. Use a tinted lotion or powder for the scalp
Some companies make products that reduce the contrast between hair and scalp with dyes. This product makes your skin blend in with your hair so that bald patches are not clearly visible. It is especially helpful for light skinned and dark haired people.
- Follow the instructions for using the product. Make sure you apply the lotion to your scalp thoroughly, and let it dry completely. Once dry, a lotion like this is resistant to sweat and rain. However, this lotion will rub off if you run your fingers through your hair, and stick it to your pillowcase while you sleep. The color stays on until the hair is washed.
- If you are using a powder formula, rub it in until it blends into your scalp. Apply to all parts of the scalp that are visible through the hair. This powder also sticks to the hair so it looks more voluminous. Like lotion, it's resistant to wind, sweat, and rain, but sticks to clothes and pillowcases, and lasts until you wash your hair.
Step 7. Use additional hair
Even though it's no longer trendy these days, extra hair is still a great option to hide baldness. Additional hair will be perfect for men who are not completely bald because it will blend with real hair.
- Make sure you choose high-quality extra hair made from human hair, in the same color as your original hair color. Only natural hair looks natural.
- You can also use hair mesh. Additional hair of this type is real human hair tied in a kind of net. The net is then attached to the head with glue or bobby pins so that it looks as if hair is growing from the scalp. Part of the hair should be cut nicely to look natural. The net itself must be repositioned when the glue or bobby pin comes off and as the natural hair grows.
- Have your stylist treat the extra hair regularly. Take it with you when you cut your hair so it can match your hairstyle.
- Keep the extra hair clean, and make sure it fits the head. If that extra hair falls, it's a waste of time to wear it because people will know that you're hiding baldness.
Step 8. Get a scalp micropigmentation treatment
This method is the same as using lotion or powder, only the results are permanent. This procedure involves tattooing small dots on the scalp. The process is long and may require several treatments for the entire scalp. There is a risk of the results appearing harsh and fake if the wrong colors are used or the procedure is not done properly. So, seek out a reputable scalp micropigmentation specialist.
Method 2 of 3: Hiding Baldness for Women
Step 1. Cut the hair in a layered style
The right haircut can make your hair look thicker and disguise fine patches. It's a good idea to visit a stylist who can hide fine hair and/or bald patches, and teach you how to style it. Ask your stylist to add layers, not just a straight cut. Layers create volume and a bold feel that will hide thin swaths.
Step 2. Use a boar bristle hair brush
Hairbrushes with boar bristles are gentler than synthetic brushes and help prevent breakage, which is especially important for thinning hair. Sea urchins also distribute the hair's natural oils in each strand so that the hair becomes healthy and shiny. Healthy hair usually looks thicker than it really is.
Step 3. Choose the right hair color
Changing your hair color to reduce the contrast between your hair and your scalp will help disguise thinning hair. Choose a light color if your scalp is light. If you have dark skin, use a dark color too, such as a dark brown or leave it black. While you can dye your hair yourself at home, your stylist can tailor your hair dye to suit your skin tone and the needs of thin hair.
Step 4. Cover the head with a hat, turban, or veil
Hats or veils are very effective at hiding baldness or thin hair. There are many stylish hats for women, including fedoras and broad hats, while scarves and hoods are also very pretty. Wearing a hat or scarf can also protect your head from the sun.
Step 5. Put on a wig or extra hair
Wigs are the best option when the thinning of hair around the temples or forehead is obvious or for bald women. Wigs can boost self-confidence and provide a sense of normalcy, especially for women who have lost hair due to cancer treatment or other medical conditions.
- There are two types of wigs, namely full wigs that cover the entire scalp, and extra hair that only covers certain parts. If you are completely bald or have very thin and short hair, the best option is a wig made of human hair. You can ask your hair stylist to style it and show you how to wear it. If you only have thin patches, extra hair made from human hair will be more convenient and cheaper. Ask your stylist to tuck it in your strands to cover any thin sections.
- There are many options for women, including length, color, texture (real or synthetic human hair), quality/price, and way of wearing (pinned, tucked, tied, glued, etc). Discuss all options with your stylist to choose the best one for you.
- Although synthetic hair is cheaper, only real human hair looks natural.
Method 3 of 3: Hiding Baldness for Everyone
Step 1. Add volume to the hair
Limp hair usually sticks to the scalp and emphasizes bald patches as the hair will separate and the bald areas will be clearly visible. Therefore, style your hair to maximize volume to make it appear thicker. Volume hair also looks easier.
- Use a shampoo that adds volume. Many shampoo brands offer formulas that add volume and prevent the build-up of product residue that can make hair heavy and limp. This type of shampoo contains ingredients that thicken the hair strands, making them appear thicker. Look for the volume or volumizing label on the shampoo bottle. After shampooing with this shampoo, the effect will last until the next shampoo.
- Use a blow dryer and a round brush to dry your hair. Use a little volume-boosting product. Then, point the dryer at your head and use a round brush to pull the hair upwards away from your scalp. This leaves your dry hair voluminous and looking thicker. Pulling your hair to one side when blow-drying, then combing it to the other side will also add volume.
- Avoid using gels or heavy products that contain silicone. The gel causes the hair to stick or clump together, making the scalp visible. Silicone makes hair heavier and hinders efforts to add volume. Choose a light product that specifically says it can add volume, such as hairspray / lotion or mousse that gives texture.
Step 2. Use a microfiber specially made for thin hair
Many companies produce colored microfibers that adhere to hair. This product comes in a spray and powder form. This is the easiest way to cover thinning hair.
- Shake or spray the fiber into your hair. This product is electrically charged so it will bond to the hair shaft and create a thick effect.
- This product is usually resistant to sweat, wind, and rain, until you wash your hair.
- Make sure you choose a color that matches your hair color or is slightly lighter. Darker microfibers that don't match your skin tone will look fake and actually draw people's attention to your hair, an effect you certainly don't want.
Step 3. Use Minoxidil
This product is an FDA-approved external treatment for hair regrowth, and many companies selling hair growth products contain over-the-counter Minoxidil. Follow the directions on the product label, and use it consistently for at least eight weeks. Some people see dramatic results with Minoxidil, while others see no significant changes.
- Products containing Minoxidil come in lotion or foam form, and can be obtained without a prescription. Many pharmacies sell hair growth products that contain Minoxidil.
- Minoxidil takes time to work. Hair will usually grow after a few months of using this product and only as long as you continue to use it. The loss will start again within a few months after you stop taking Minoxidil.
- Minoxidil is best suited for young patients who have a short history of hair loss. Treatment for people over the age of 65 has not been studied so it may have no effect if used for baldness caused by age.
- Follow the directions on the Minoxidil product packaging. Do not use more than directed or use a hairdryer immediately after using Minoxidil as this may reduce its effectiveness.
- Do not use Minoxidil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Tips
- Confidence and acceptance of thinning hair can make you look better than people who try hard to cover up baldness, especially for men. Many men look dashing when bald.
- Always wear sunscreen on the scalp, and try to wear a hat in the sun. Baldness or thin hair will expose the scalp to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Wearing sunscreen and a hat will prevent sunburn and scalp cancer. There are companies that make hair sprays with SPF and sunscreen sticks that are easier to apply to the scalp than regular sunscreen lotions.
- Don't wear a hat too long in the summer if you have thin hair. The hat will trap the heat inside and make your hair limp.
Warning
- Don't cover the bald spot by combing your hair in that direction. Such hairstyles are outdated, and instead draw people's attention to bald areas.
- Lots of wigs and extra hair can fall out. Be careful when jostling or swimming so as not to slip.
- Long hair extensions for women actually accentuate thin hair because they burden the hair on the scalp. Extensions also damage natural hair. Pinched and shorter extra hair is less harmful than long extensions that are glued or tied up.
- Consult the use of Minoxidil with a doctor. There are some people who are allergic to Minoxidil, and the product can react negatively with some medications. Follow all directions on the product packaging, and do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
