What Are Hair Fibers: A Detailed Guide
Hair loss can deliver a strong hit to our confidence. One day we’re walking with a luscious, thick mane and the next you’re seeing empty patches and lots of hair in the drain.
To fix this little issue, most people go for hair transplants, PRP, and PRF hair treatments. However, the problem with these procedures is that they can be costly and can take weeks and even months before showing any difference.
That’s why, today, we’ll discuss what are hair fibers, their advantages, and disadvantages, and what are the best options on the market.
We’ll also offer some tips on how to use them properly. Ready? Let’s begin!
What Are Hair Fibers?
Hair fibers are minuscule microfibers designed to look just like natural hair. These fibers are often made from colored keratin derived from natural sources, with differences in quality based on origin.
The core principle behind how hair fibers work is electrostatic charge. The fibers are charged to stick to your hair shaft naturally and to each other upon application.
This electrostatic charge between them allows the fibers to stay in place throughout the day and effectively add volume, covering up thinning areas and bald spots.
How do you apply it, you wonder? Well, one of the key differences between hair fibers and other treatments is that you don’t have to go to a clinic to enjoy it.
There’s no surgery or injections! All you have to do is purchase the hair fibers and shake or spray them onto the thinning areas of your scalp.
As they come into contact with the hair, they bind to the strands and create a seamless, voluminous look.
Finally, regarding the price range, hair fibers are infinitely more budget-friendly than other treatments. This could be because it’s a more cosmetic option rather than therapeutic.
Regardless, hair fibers’ price tag ranges from $15–$40, making them a quick and budget-friendly solution to hair loss.
Advantages of Using Hair Fibers
There are many benefits to using hair fibers to cover hair loss. Some of the best advantages include the following:
1. Instantaneous Results
Do you have a big event coming up, and you feel self-conscious about your hair? This is when hair fibers come to the rescue!
Unlike other treatments, the effectiveness of hair fibers isn’t based on how many sessions you’ve had or how long it’s been since the treatment.
Hair fibers are designed for instant gratification.
As soon as you apply them to your hair, they immediately bond to the existing strands, giving the illusion of a fuller, denser head of hair.
This quick transformation is particularly appealing for those looking to improve their appearance for important events or activities without waiting months or weeks.
2. Cost Effective
Do you know how much a hair transplant or PRP hair loss treatment costs?
Well, the average range for a hair transplant starts from $3,000 and goes up to more than $15,000, while PRP in the US can cost over $500 per session—on average, you’ll need at least three!
In comparison, hair fibers offer a quick, budget-friendly solution that rarely exceeds the $50 mark.
This means you can easily incorporate the purchase into your daily grooming routine without breaking the bank.
3. Durable
While there are various hair fiber brands in the market, the high-quality ones offer something different.
If you pick the proper hair fibers, you can guarantee they can resist the elements!
This means the fibers are designed to resist wind, rain, and even sweat, ensuring your enhanced hair appears the same throughout your day.
Also, the electrostatic charge of high-quality hair fibers ensures that they adhere firmly to the hair, maintaining the full appearance for long durations.
In short, these fibers can last until the next shampoo wash, provided they’re applied correctly.
4. Complements Other Treatments
Finally, one of the best perks of using hair fibers is it gives you time to discover which way to go.
Some people use it to enhance their appearance every once in a while for big events.
On the other hand, there are those who use them until they figure out which treatment is better.
Because of its instantaneous results, it gives you cover as you explore the many options in the market.
It also gives you a chance to see what you’ll look like with a fuller head of hair, which can provide valuable insight into long-term hair restoration goals.
You’ll know which parts of your scalp are more significantly affected by thinning and how different hair restoration treatments might impact your appearance.
Possible Side Effects of Hair Fibers
It wouldn’t be right to decide on hair fibers without taking a look at the drawbacks first. So here are some of the main disadvantages to using them:
1. Must Be Reapplied Regularly
While hair fibers offer a quick solution to your hair loss problem, it’s not permanent. You must reapply them carefully after every wash or potentially more, depending on your lifestyle and the weather.
This can be time-consuming for some of us with tight schedules, as you’ll need to ensure the fibers are applied correctly to avoid them shifting or falling.
Moreover, hair fibers aren’t the answer if you want to fix your hair thinning. Using them is merely cosmetics, as it enhances your appearance but doesn’t address the root issue.
2. Finding an Exact Match Is Tough
While their high-quality hair fibers come in a variety of shades to match different hair colors, finding an exact match that works for you can be challenging.
Finding a shade can be a piece of cake if your hair is a regular brown, black, red, or blonde.
However, if you have a unique shade or your hair contains multiple hues, you’ll have to settle for an imperfect match.
Luckily, you can blend different shades to get a closer match to your natural hair color.
3. Can Accidentally Dye Other Objects
Essentially, hair fibers are colored particles that are supposed to stick to your hair to create a seamless look.
Yet, they can still come off and stain clothing, pillowcases, or other objects that come into contact with them. Of course, this means you or anybody else can’t touch your head as long as it has fibers.
Moreover, just because they’re water-resistant doesn’t mean they’re water-proof. There’s a huge difference between both that many people seem to misunderstand.
Simply put, if it’s raining a lot or you happen to sweat too much, there’s a chance the fibers will stream down your forehead or the back of your head, staining you and your clothes.
4. Gives a Lackluster Look
Even though hair fibers do a fantastic job at covering bald spots and thinning areas while blending with your hair, there’s still a problem with the final look.
Though they’ve improved a lot over the years, there’s still a “wooden” kind of look to the patch of hair you create with fibers.
It simply doesn’t shine as the rest of your hair or move the same way, especially if you apply it too heavily or if the product isn’t of optimal quality.
Instead, it can appear matte and lack the natural sheen and texture that your own hair possesses. This discrepancy in appearance is one of the most notable limitations of using hair fibers.
How To Use Hair Fibers Correctly
If, after reading the advantages and drawbacks of hair fibers, you still feel like it’s the right solution, you should learn how to use it properly!
Here’s a quick outline to follow:
1. Choose the Right Color
As we mentioned earlier, while there are hair fibers in various shades, finding one that truly matches your hair can be tricky.
So, before you go ahead and purchase a bottle or two, you need to take a closer look at your hair!
Take a strand between your fingers and examine it in clear daylight. Assess if you have any highlights and what shade your hair is exactly.
If your hair color falls between the standard shades, don’t be afraid to mix fibers of two different colors to create a custom shade.
This precise matching can actually help you avoid noticeable contrast between hair and fibers, especially under different lighting conditions.
2. Prepare Your Hair
Once you have the fibers ready, it’s time to prep your hair for the application process. Starting with clean and completely dry hair is essential as it guarantees that the fibers adhere to the strands properly and evenly.
Make sure to cleanse your scalp extra hard, as oils, sweat, or even moisture can cause clamping or uneven distribution, affecting the final looks.
A quick tip: Styling your hair before applying the fibers, particularly by creating a bit of volume at the base, can enhance the final appearance, making the fibers less detectable.
3. Don’t Use Too Much
Because we fear our thinning hair or bald spots are showing too much, we tend to overdo it when it comes to application.
However, the trick with hair fibers is that the less is often more. Start with a small amount and gradually add until you have your desired look.
When you over-apply, the results can look a bit unnatural, with a matte appearance that makes it easy to distinguish from your real hair.
Remember: it’s easier to add more to achieve the desired coverage, but it’s not as easy to remove fibers from hair as that can necessitate washing and starting over.
4. Use the Right Tools
Two items can make this whole process easier than you might think:
- Hair fiber applicator
- A hold spray
For starters, a specialized applicator can significantly improve the precision and evenness of the fiber distribution.
It’s particularly useful for certain areas, such as the hairline or right above the ear, where the hair can be thin.
The tool helps you control the exact amount you dispense, reducing waste and preventing you from over-applying the fibers.
After you’re done, a fine mist of hold spray can lock the fibers, extending their durability against wind, rain, and sweat. When applying the spray, keep your hand at a distance to avoid dislodging the fibers.
Top 3 Hair Fiber Picks To Try
There are so many brands of hair fiber out there that choosing one can prove truly challenging. So, here are some of the best on the market:
1. Toppik Hair Building Fibers
When it comes to popularity, almost no hair fiber brand can beat Toppik! This is one of the most well-known and widely used fiber brands on the market.
Their hair fibers are made from high-grade keratin, the same protein natural hair is made of, allowing for a natural-looking match.
Toppik Hair Building Fibers are super easy to apply, as all it takes is a good shake on top of the affected areas.
Their products are also resistant to wind, rain, and perspiration and are suitable for all hair types.
2. Boldify Hair Thickening Fibers
Boldify’s Hair Thickening Fibers offer an instant solution for concealing hair thinning, utilizing top-quality plant-based fibers.
Their fibers attach themselves easily to the existing strands, ensuring a smooth, non-clumpy appearance that mirrors the texture and movement of real hair.
They offer around 14 different shades, developed in collaboration with professional stylists to ensure you find a flawless match for your hair.
The formula is specially designed to be resistant to wind and water, guaranteeing you enjoy a fuller look for longer.
Most importantly, their fibers are made from finely processed cotton fibers, made to be kind on every scalp and hair type, offering a comfortable, lightweight solution for thinning hair.
3. Revivogen Keratin Hair Fibers
Another hair fiber option that offers instant, natural-looking results is Revivogen MD Keratin Hair Building Fibers.
The company uses keratin microfibers identical to human hair protein, allowing the fibers to blend smoothly with your hair. The product can last with you all day, as it’s resistant to rain and sweat.
One unique feature of Revivogen’s product is that it’s designed to block DHT from shutting down the hair follicle, promoting fuller, healthier hair growth when used.
In short, this is one of the few products that cover thinning spots while actively helping your scalp grow healthier hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know almost everything about hair fibers, it’s time to look at some of the most popular inquiries other individuals have.
How long do hair fibers last?
If you apply the hair fibers correctly with the help of the applicator and the holding spray, they can last up to two days.
Of course, this can differ depending on your day. Elements such as rain and perspiration can shorten the time range.
What are the side effects of hair fibers?
There are some hair fibers out there that can leave your scalp feeling itchy or slightly burning after application.
We advise you to do a patch test on a small part of your scalp before fully covering the thinning areas with the hair fibers to test the product first.
Do hair fibers damage hair?
Not really! Most hair fibers don’t interact with the hair follicle, allowing you to use them every day without worry.
Quick Recap
So, are you still wondering what are hair fibers?
In short, hair fibers are minuscule particles that you can shake or spray on top of your scalp to cover thinning spots.
The fibers stick to your hair strands and to each other, forming a cohesive layer that imitates normal hair appearance.
Hair fiber products are some of the best options around for when you need to boost your appearance immediately without breaking the bank.
However, keep in mind that most are simply cosmetic solutions to hair loss problems and not curative. It’s best you use hair fibers while actively fixing the hair loss problem, if possible.