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• Hair Thickeners - A Comprehensive Coverage

• HairSite Advertorial

• 3/13/00

Hair thickeners have come a long way. With the advance of technology, hair thickeners have definitely gone mainstream and join the ranks of other styling aids such as hair spray, gel, and mouse etc. In fact, hair thickeners have become so easy to use that they are really no difference from your regular hair gel.  Some hair thickeners have even reached the aisles of many drug stores and sitting side by side with shampoos and many other hair products.  All hair thickening products produce amazingly natural results. They come in many forms and choosing the right one can sometimes be time consuming.  Among the most sought after are Toppik, Couvre, Fullmore, Celluplex and John Frieda's Hair Thickening Spray. We will discuss each of these products in detail and you decide which one works best for you.

Please contact HairSite@aol.com if you have trouble locating any of these products.

TOPPIK - Currently the most popular and ranked # 1 in HairSite's readership survey.

Toppik is definitely the most scientifically advanced unlike anything you've ever seen before. It is a new complex of tiny, microfiber "hairs" that perfectly blend with your own. The fibers come in different colors and are made of the same organic Keratin protein as your own hair. Through a unique process, these fibers are restructured to merge undetectably with your hair. You will instantly see a fuller, more natural looking head of hair, in seconds literally.

Application is the one of the easiest. No fuss, no mess. Toppik does not drip or smear.  You apply Toppik by simply holding the custom container over your thinning area, and shaking it gently. In seconds, thousands of powder like tiny hair fibers will intertwine with your own hair. Charged with static electricity, the powder like tiny fibers bond so securely that they will stay in place all day and night, in even the strongest wind or hardest rain. The only thing is that Toppik cannot be applied when your hair is wet. Only on dry hair.

The biggest advantage Toppik has over other products is that you can simply sprinkle the Keratin protein powder over your existing hair without even touching your own scalp. This works very well for people who still have a fair amount of hair such as a Norwood Class III or lower or females who have diffuse pattern of hair loss. To achieve this, simply slide your fingers through your existing hair so that your fingers will have direct contact with your scalp. With your fingers covering most of your scalp, you then sprinkle the Keratin hair fibers onto the hair that is sticking out through your fingers. This way, your fingers are shielding your scalp from the fibers while your hair is bonding and thickening with the fibers at the same time.  This method is recommended for people who are paranoid that the Keratin protein fibers may be harmful to their scalp. But again, this product has been proven to be safe and is even recommended by doctors.

Toppik also comes with a Toppik Fiberhold Spray. Toppik by itself should be sufficient for most people. The Fiberhold Spray works pretty much like any other hair spray and keeps your hair style on a better and longer hold. Toppik Fiberhold is a fine mist specifically developed to increase the bond between Toppik Fibers and thinning hairs. Unlike ordinary hair sprays, this formula uses sophisticated alpha grade resins to join thinner hair and Toppik fibers naturally and durably. Pro Vitamin B5 and naturally derived ingredients soften and condition both hair and Fibers optimally for a completely natural appearance. pH balanced to 5.5 for optimum results with Toppik Hair Building Fibers. You may even brush after drying for a softer style with ample fiber-holding power.The two products work very well together and we recommend using both. Results are natural and totally undetectable, feels like you have just used a hair spray.

Although not as superior as Couvre as a water resistant hair thickener, Toppik definitely scores high in our water resistant test.  The hair fibers stay on even in the rain and shower. It does not smear or drip in the rain. It will only come off when you shampoo your hair.  But then if you intend to participate in strenous water activities like swimming etc, Couvre would probably be a better choice.

Given that it is Keratin protein powder, Toppik does not intervene with minoxidil treatment. It is also recommended by doctors because it is completely safe and works  well with hair transplants. Starting right after surgery, Toppik will make any scabs or scars completely disappear. It will also eliminate the sight of any temporary post-operative thinning. And if you are still weighing your surgical options, using Toppik will give you more time to make the right choice.

It is perfectly all right to go to bed with Toppik on. However, please do not be alarmed if occasionally a very small amount of hair fibers rubs off on your pillow. It washes out easily.

To summarize, we feel that Toppik has the following advantages:   

• Easy to apply. Results in seconds.
  Keratin protein powder, requires no drying time.
  No mess, no fuss. It does not drip, stain or smear.
  Does not intervene with minoxidil treatment.
  Natural results. Hair does not look stiff or unnatural.
  Color match.
  Great camouflage for gray hair.
  Perfect for post hair transplant camouflage.
  Water resistant.
  Easy removal with shampoo.

COUVRé - Couvre is probably the first ever hair thickener that has received wide recognition in the market. It has been around for many years and is still the favorite for many people. The product is safe and has been recommended by doctors and dermatologists for may years already. Couvre is a masking lotion. It comes in different colors. Compared to Toppik, Couvre may take a bit longer to apply. Time for a typical application is about 2 - 3 minutes. Unlike Toppik, Couvre can be applied either on wet or dry hair. To achieve best results, the masking lotion should be applied throughout the scalp. Covure ranks the highest when it comes to water resistant. It stays on even during rigorous water activities such as swimming etc. 

COUVRé and TOPPIK Comparison Chart

FULLMORE

Fullmore is a special blend of polymers that actually bond to your natural hair. It is an aerosol powder spray-on hair thickener that comes in different colors. To achieve best results, Fullmore should be used in conjunction with a hair spray. The use of hair spray is necessary because in order for the aerosol powder to cling and stay where you applied it, adhesion is necessary; otherwise it may flake and come off. The hair spray bonds Fullmore to your existing hair.  Most reputable brands of hair spray will hold and bond Fullmore in place. Feel free to experiment unitl you find a spray that is to your satisfaction. Fullmore works because the aerosol powder clings to existing hair. If your bald spot has even a little peach fuzz growing, Fullmore will be able to bond to it, adding thickness and covering the area. Application is as simple and easy as using Toppik. Simply hold the can and spray on thinning areas until you achieve the desired results. As with Toppik and Couvre, Fullmore is water resistant and comes off easily with shampoo.  It's perfectly all right to sleep with Fullmore on, however, you shouldn't be alarmed if a small amount rubs off on your pillow. The same applies to Toppik too.  It washes out easily. Upon waking you can re-style your hair by dampening it and using a brush and blow dryer, or you can shampoo and reapply.

CELLUPLEX

Celluplex is an all natural bonital hair thickening serum. This two-in-one all natural topical hair serum can instantly thicken your hair while at the same time provides a natural sun filter against ultraviolet damage. This hair spray is formulated with Celluplex Serum. According to the manufacturer, this all natural hair thickening botanical complex that can infuse vital nutrients and mositure deep into the cortex of the hair. The Celluplex serum together with a hosts of expensive herbal extracts can strengthen hair shaft and expand the diameter of the hair by increasing the mositure holding capacity of the hair. Our only complaint is that this product does not come in a spray bottle. For best results, you should pour the serum into a spray bottle and use it as a spray despite the manufacturer's suggestion that the serum be applied directly to your scalp after shampoo. The reason we suggest that the serum be used as a spray and not directly onto the scalp is because for those of us who are on some kind of hair treamtent regimen every day, we need to ensure that our scalp is dry and free from other topical agents in the morning so that we can use our favorite hair treatment such as Rogaine, Crinagen, Xandrox etc etc.

Unlike Toppik, Couvre and Fullmore, Celluplex is a clear and transparent serum that does not come in different colors. For best results, you need to have a fair amount of hair before you use this product. It is a good product for women with a small degree of diffuse thinning but is rarely sufficient for most men with extensive thinning. Celluplex will not generate the kind of volume and thickness that can be achieved by Toppik, Couvre and Fullmore. Also, Celluplex is NOT water resistant. The serum will come off easily with just a touch of water.

Ingredients: Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Rosemary Extract, Chamomile Extract, Clary (Salvia Sclarea) Extract, Menthol Eucalyptus Globulus Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Dimethicone Copolyol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ginko Biloba Extract, Retinol, Panthenol, Biotin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Jojoba Oil, Seasame Oil, Krameria Triandra Extract, and  Methylparaben.

JOHN FRIEDA'S HAIR THICKENING SPRAY

John Frieda's Thickening Spray with sunscreen is a lot like Celluplex. Another clear and transparent serum that does not come in different colors. So naturally, this product also share all the drawbacks that Celluplex has. In addition, it has very few ingredients compared to Celluplex and carries a perfume. So it may not be appropriate for some men.

Ingredients: Alcohol Denat, Water, PVP, PVP/VA, Copolymer, PEG-75 Lanolin, France (perfume), Benzophenone-3.

Please contact HairSite@aol.com if you have trouble locating any of these products.

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