5 Best Makeup Solutions for Bald Spots


  • Medically reviewed by: Debra Rose Wilson, PhD MSN RN IBCLC AHN-BC CHT
  • Written by: Hairguard Editorial Team
  • Last updated: 25/07/2024

In this article, you will learn how to cover up a bald spot using ‘makeup’. You’ll learn the five most effective temporary and semi-permanent solutions to making your hair look thick and full.

And finally, you will learn some long-term solutions to the problem of hair loss and bald patches.

Introduction

A study showed that those who looked at photos of people with full hair versus a bald condition rated the men with full hair more dynamic, masculine, and dominant (1).

A survey of men with hair loss showed that 62% agreed that it could affect self-esteem. Also, 43% said that losing hair caused concern about “losing an important part of personal attractiveness (2).”

In women, hair loss can be even more devastating. Especially in a culture like ours that is not as accepting of baldness in women as it is in men.

Dr. Shani Francis, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and director of the Hair Disorders Center of Excellence at Northshore University Health System in Illinois, told Medical News Today that hair loss in women can lead to lower self-esteem and an altered self-image.

It can even lead to depression and less enjoyable socializing. All this means that, depending on how your baldness is affecting you, it may be imperative to cover up bald spots.

5 Best Makeup Solutions for Bald Spots

Inventive ways to cover bald spots abound; from concealers to sprays, some solutions help with every level of thinning hair.

Whether you are looking to cover some slight thinning or more extensive bald spots, below are some of the top cosmetic options to make your hair appear thicker.

1. Hair Loss Concealers

One of the most popular types of makeup for covering bald spots is hair loss concealers. These include popular brands like Toppik, Bosley, and CUVVA.

Mainly, these products are colored keratin proteins that are statically charged.

In most cases, you spray the product on and it intertwines with existing hair before you then pat it down. That makes the hair appear thicker.

Many of these products are also resistant to wind, sweat, and rain.

Because the product intertwines with hair, it is the best option for hair that is mild to moderately thinning.

2. Mineral Makeup

If you have a specific bald patch on your hair that is more on the mild side, this popular trick might be an easy option. It is an especially neat option for thinning hair where the hair part is getting wide and you can prominently see the scalp.

For this, you will need mineral face powder. The mineral powder is helpful because its inorganic nature makes it stick to the skin better, even while sweating.

You will also want a powder that will match your hair color. For instance, a dark brown powder to go with dark brown hair. If you cannot find the exact shade of your hair, go a bit darker.

Here is how to easily apply mineral makeup to cover bald spots:

  •      Apply using a puff or makeup sponge.
  •      Dab the powder directly onto the bald spot using the puff or sponge.
  •      Make sure to spread the makeup well into the surrounding hair itself to blend.

What you will notice as you dab is that the powder adheres to the scalp. It will darken that spot so it looks far less noticeable.

3. Eye Shadow

Very similar to mineral makeup, another popular trick to hide bald spots is to use a simple eye shadow.

This is a good trick for smaller bald patches up near the front of the hair that need some light filling in since eye shadow comes in smaller containers.

This is also a better way to get a color that matches your hair more closely since eye shadow comes in every color imaginable.

Here is how to use eye shadow to cover bald spots:

  •      Use a stiff, short-bristle makeup brush.
  •      Apply using the brush, lightly painting the eye shadow in streaks.
  •      Blend out the color with your finger.

It is one of the easiest options for covering bald spots with makeup.

4. Temporary Dye Sprays

If you are not into dumping makeup on your head, another easy cosmetic way to cover bald spots is what is essentially spray paint for your scalp.

These are usually sold as products that temporarily cover gray spots.

You can buy these in shades that match your hair color. This makes it a more customizable option than the mineral powder would be. These are also made to be long-lasting throughout the day.

Simply spray it where the hair thinning is going on. You will want to hit the scalp as directly as you can. That will add color to the scalp making the bald spotless noticeable overall.

Again, since this adds color in and around already existing hair, it is a good option if you have more mildly thinning hair, especially in cases where the hair part looks too wide or spotty.

5. Scalp Micropigmentation

All of these options have been good for mild to moderate hair thinning. But what if you have more extensive hair loss?

That is where scalp micropigmentation comes in. It is not exactly using traditional makeup to cover bald spots, but it fits firmly in the cosmetic category.

Scalp micropigmentation is a fancy term for a hair tattoo. It places pigment in the dermal layer of the skin, giving the impression of a very close-cropped buzz cut.

According to a study from The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, “Scalp micropigmentation offers a good nonsurgical alternative treatment for hair and scalp deformities….

Unlike medical devices, scalp micropigmentation offers a tattoo-based, non-medical cover-up that effectively hides unsightly conditions on the scalp and creates the illusion of thicker hair (3).”

The study goes on to state that it is a solid option for the most stubborn of balding cases, like alopecias unresponsive to treatment.

Here are pictures of before and after scalp micropigmentation from the study:

Semi permanent scalp micropigmentation helps to cover bald spots from diffuse hair loss
Source.

As you can see, there is a noticeable difference between before and after the procedure. Much less scalp is visible.

However, under a strong light, the scalp does look a bit strange, and it almost looks like the scalp is dirty.

Scalp micropigmentation has the same risks as any tattoo for blood-borne illness. Always choose a professional licensed in your area who uses sterile techniques and disposable ink and needles.

The Risks of Long-Term Bald Spot Coverage

The temporary techniques offered above may be a good solution in the short term, but long-term bald spot coverage can present some issues.

Logistically speaking, these are not long-term viable solutions for most people. They are time-consuming and can wear off throughout the day. There is also a risk to the remaining hair.

Long-term bald spot coverage, especially with makeup, can lead to clogging of the pores and hair follicles. This may agitate the follicles and cause an array of problems, including folliculitis (4).

The use of these products may also irritate the scalp and lead to drying, flaking, itching, and discomfort.

Of course, there is also the risk of allergy or sensitivity to the products mentioned.

These may cause redness, hives, itching, and swelling which can just end up making your bald spot more noticeable.

Long-term use of cosmetics may lead to itchy scalp or dandruff.

A Better Solution Than Using Makeup

If you do not want to use makeup regularly to cover up ever-growing bald patches on your scalp, then treatment should be your concern.

What it means to ‘treat’ hair loss will vary depending on the cause and severity of your condition.

There are plenty of hair loss treatments currently on the market (5). These include FDA-approved drugs like minoxidil and finasteride, and even prescriptions with an off-brand use such as dutasteride. There are also more advanced techniques, including laser therapy, microneedling, and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) (6).

The one that is right for you will help you to address the underlying cause of your condition, which can lead to less hair fall and more growth.

However, you will also likely have to make some lifestyle changes – such as an improved diet, and cessation of smoking and drinking – if you want to see sustained results.

In the earliest stages of loss, it is best to seek out a medical professional for an opinion. And even after diagnosis, you can continue to work with your doctor to find the best solution to fit your needs.


Information contained on this website has not been evaluated by any medical body such as the Food & Drug Administration. All information is for educational purposes only. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. You must consult a medical professional before acting on any content on this website.

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