Hair Building Fibers – The Confidence Conjurer
If you have been surfing in social media for a while, you
would have caught sight of videos which miraculously grants hair volume to men
and women with bald patches on their head. Just what are these products? They
are under the classification of hair-building/filler fibers.
What are they?
These fibers are tiny powder-like substances which bind to
existing hair using static electricity. This process enables the hair to
maintain volume, thus masking patches of baldness on the scalp and resulting in
fuller hair appearances. However, they do not solve the underlying issues of
balding and should be treated like aesthetic products.
Who are they for?
They are best geared for people with patches of baldness on
the head as the fibers require hair to stick to. Limited effectiveness is seen
on people with major or total baldness.
Do they ACTUALLY work?
These products have been in the market for a while now and
reviews are generally raving from popular sites like Amazon. Here are a few
reviews from verified buyers:
- “…I had told my husband when I ordered (the product) and he was beyond skeptical that it would work. But when I applied it and showed him he was amazed and couldn't believe how thick my hair looked…”
- “Nevertheless, I ordered a black colored (product) sample and JUST tried it. Seriously, this stuff is magic. May God bless whoever invented this stuff.”
- “As a woman, my hair was my crown of glory, over the past several years it has gotten thinner and thinner especially around the crown. I've been so self conscious and depressed over the issue. This product gave me my hair back!!! Or at least the look of it by covering the scalp enough to make it look full again.”
Yes, they do work and come in various colors to match
natural hair.
Why use them?
Since we know that these fibers do not “cure” baldness, what
are the advantages of using them? As with most aesthetic products, they are
associated to boosting the confidence of users and improving the quality of
life. A science publishing (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4857840/)
was done to touch on utilizing said products for patients with genetic skin
disorders and was described as a “Camouflage Technique”.
What are the regular brands?
Many brands exist but the common names include Toppik,
Caboki and Viviscal. They come in different sizes (0.3oz onward) and ranges
from $38 and up.
Science behind the fibers
There are two main insights into the Science and Health
behind these substances.
Static electricity
In order to create the perception of volume, the fibers has to stick
onto available hair structures. This was done by applying the law of physics of
static electricity, which is essentially the attraction of matter resulting
from the existence of positive and negative charges. This makes the fibers
attracted to the hair, making the hair voluminous and concealing baldness.
These attractions do not cause a health concern to the user.
Natural ingredients
Many of the common names stood by the usage of natural materials which
include keratin (the same material from hair and nails) and other plant
sources. This reduces the probability of allergic reactions and resistance from
the body though it is generally for external use. Being natural also means
toxicity is reduced if accidentally absorbed or ingested.
Considerations
- Though generally categorized as “hair building fibers”, the materials vary from different productions from various companies. Some could resist the weather better than others, while certain colors are available only from specific brands.
- The videos that you see simplify the process. In reality, much practice is required to understand how the product works on your hair and the amount to be used is managed by the individual. Some time investment is certainly required.
Conclusion
Treatments for baldness are usually time-consuming or
limited effectiveness against specific genetic disorders. Audiences may require
faster or instant results to enhance their appearances in order to resume their
quality of life for daily activities. Hair building fibers are good workarounds
to fulfill the gap between treatments (or the lack of it) and are generally
safe as renowned brands use natural derivatives for ingredients. Some
adjustments to daily life may be needed to accommodate the usage of said
products (time spent to prepare the hair, regular clearing of residue etc.),
but it is a valuable trade-off to greater confidence in meeting people. Many
followers would vouch the use of these life-changing “Confidence Conjurers”.
