The Toppik Review: Ultimate Guide Before You Buy

There are plenty of products on the market that claim to reverse balding, but what about those that just cover it up? Toppik is one such product used by thousands of sufferers of hair loss with good results.

This post will introduce Toppik (including how it works and its ingredients). You will also learn:

1. What real users of Toppik have to say;
2. The side effects that are possible with use;
3. How to use the product effectively;
4. Its costs and where to find it; and
5. How it compares to similar products on the market.

This article will also provide a two-step process for starting your own hair recovery journey, whether you intend to use Toppik along the way or not.

What is Toppik?

Toppik is a hair fiber product. It conceals bald patches and creates a fuller appearance to the hair of both men and women. While not the only hair fiber brand on the market, Toppik is one of the most well-known and reviewed.

How Does It Work?

In simple terms, hair fiber products contain tiny fibers (usually made of keratin) that are magnetically charged. This magnetism helps them to cling to individual strands of hair, which adds bulk. With the added bulk, the hairs appear fuller and thicker. This works to cover up areas of thinning, while also preserving a natural appearance.

Ingredients and Additives

Each Toppik formulation consists of five active ingredients. They are:

• Keratin
• Silica
• Ammonium Chloride
• Phenoxyethanol
• Chlorphenesin

Keratin is a natural fiber and the one that human hair is made of. It is essentially tightly packed layers of proteins that protect your body’s epithelial cells (surface tissues) from outside damage.

Silica (also referred to as silicon dioxide and quartz) is a natural element that can also be produced artificially. New research shows that silica can be beneficial to human health, especially as it is believed to promote mineral absorption (particularly calcium) (1).

When applied to the skin and hair, silica is not likely to be absorbed. However, it may still prove beneficial by helping the other ingredients to absorb more readily.

Ammonium chloride is an inorganic material used frequently as a flavoring and thickening agent. In small doses, such as what would be found in Toppik, it is not believed to be harmful.

Phenoxyethanol is an alcohol often used as a preservative in cosmetics. Unfortunately, this ingredient can cause allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis and even anaphylaxis. If nursing or pregnant, any product containing phenoxyethanol should be avoided as it can cause nervous system malfunction in infants.

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic chemical with two main uses: muscle relaxant and preservative. This is another ingredient that may cause contact dermatitis, and can also cause respiratory distress in infants who come into contact with it.

Colors

Depending on the color you choose, the product will also contain a color additive. The different additives that Toppik uses include:

• Orange 4 (CI 15510)
• Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
• Yellow 6 (CI 15985)
• Red 22 (CI 45380)
• Red 33 (CI 17200)
• Green 3 (CI 42053)
• Green 5 (CI 61570)
• Green 6 (CI 61565)
• Blue 1 (CI 42090)

As you can see, this product contains some synthetic additives that may cause adverse effects.

Is Toppik Safe to Use?

While Toppik is not blatantly unsafe, it does contain some concerning ingredients. These ingredients – especially phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin – have been linked to various health concerns and adverse reactions.

In addition, the extent to which these ingredients are absorbed into the skin is not precisely known.

If you still plan to use the product, just be aware of any adverse reactions.

What Do Consumers Have to Say?

As the most reviewed hair fiber brand on the market, there are plenty of consumer reviews to help you make your decision. Overall, users of the product are quite happy with the results. It has a rating of 4.0/5 stars on Amazon. This is not bad considering there are over 3,000 reviews.

The positives mentioned include the wonderful job that Toppik does in covering bare spots, while also blending well with the natural hair color (even graying hair).

Of course, some users have had less ideal results, including patchy-looking coverage and dullness. This can give off a rather unnatural look.

A few users have also made mention of the product appearing green (especially under lights). This is also true for those who sweat throughout the day. The green tint will appear on the brow and other areas near the scalp where sweat accumulates.

While reviews tell us a lot about the experience of individual users, only you can determine how the product works for you. As such, it is important to remember that results will differ from person to person.

Toppik Before and After

Sometimes, before and after images can be the best way to determine how well a product works. Of course, keep in mind that it is usually the most extreme results that users post online.

As you can see, Toppik works best when there is still significant amounts of hair left on the scalp. If your scalp is completely bald, Toppik is unlikely to give satisfactory results.

Are There Side Effects?

As with any hair product on the market, there is the potential for side effects. This will depend on the sensitivity of the individual.

The most common side effects of Toppik are scalp irritation and itching. For some, the fibers may be irritating, and long-term use can lead to redness and other signs of irritation.

It is also possible for flaking and rub-off to occur, especially with extreme heat or perspiration.

For certain individuals, an allergic reaction (known as contact dermatitis) is possible. The symptoms include itching, burning, redness, and hives. In severe (but rare) cases, this can turn into anaphylaxis. If it does, stop product use and seek medical attention immediately.

As mentioned previously, ammonium chloride is an ingredient in Toppik. You should avoid contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoid inhaling. While rare, it is possible to suffer from ammonia poisoning from over-exposure. The symptoms include:

• Chest tightness/pain
• Coughing/airway irritation
• Wheezing/rapid breathing
• Fever
• Muscle spasms
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea/vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms after long-term use, seek emergency medical attention.

If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid the use of Toppik as its absorption rate and effects on the fetus are unknown.

Other Considerations

One thing to keep in mind is that you should wash out Toppik and similar products daily. Otherwise, you are at an increased risk of developing folliculitis.

This is an inflammation of the hair follicles commonly associated with a bacterial or fungal infection. The symptoms include itching, burning, pain, red bumps, pus, and swelling.

While mild forms of folliculitis will resolve on their own, more severe cases require medical attention and treatment.

At the first signs of swelling and pus, you should visit your primary care. However, more severe symptoms include the affected area being hot to the touch and fever. These require urgent medical attention.

How to Use Toppik

To apply Toppik to the scalp, you simply shake the product onto patches of thinning. The fibers will cling automatically. You can then style your hair as usual.

Alternatively, Toppik offers a spray applicator. This makes it easier to target areas of thinning.

Tips for Use

While the application is simple, it can be messy and sometimes ineffective. Here are a few tips to improve the application process:

Set with hairspray. To prevent rub-off and flaking, hairspray can be used to set the product. It is best to use hairspray a few minutes after applying Toppik to allow it to settle on its own.

Use a comb. To better direct the powder fiber, you can use a comb to apply the product and style it accordingly. This significantly reduces flaking and residue and makes it easier to target applications.

Wash out daily. If you are using Toppik daily, it is crucial for the health of your scalp that you wash it out at the end of each day. By washing it out, you can prevent irritation and side effects such as itching and redness.

Mix colors. To achieve a more natural look, you can combine Toppik colors to more closely match your natural hair color.

Using Toppik is not difficult, but there is a small learning curve. The tips above should help you to more quickly sort out any issues and optimize results.

Cost and Availability

Toppik comes in a variety of sizes (3 g, 12 g, 27.5 g, and 55 g) and colors (black, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, medium blonde, light blonde, auburn, gray, and white). The price varies based on size, not color.

On the Toppik website, you can purchase an economy bottle of 27.5 g for $46.95.

You can also find Toppik at a few in-store locations, such as Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid.

How Does Toppik Compare to Similar Products?

Toppik is far from the only hair fiber brand on the market. It is quite a broad niche within the hair loss industry. How does Toppik rate alongside the competition?

Here is how Toppik compares to three similar products on the market: Caboki, Nanogen, and HairMax.

Function

All four products – Toppik, Caboki, Nanogen, and HairMax – claim to cover areas of thinning. However, how each product claims to do so slightly differently.

Toppik, Nanogen, and HairMax do so using keratin fibers. These are exactly what our hair is made of. Caboki uses a more ‘natural’ fiber, cotton.

Each of the products claims their fibers ‘stick’ to the hair strands, which produces a fuller look.

Effectiveness

Overall, Toppik and Caboki beat out Nanogen and HairMax by far. Here is a look at the breakdown:

Of course, it may just be that Nanogen and HairMax are not as popular as the previous two products. But that also says something about their effectiveness that you should consider.

Cost

When looking to compare costs, it is important to compare the products as closely as possible. This means each product is the same color (black) and about the same size (based on the brand’s offerings).

Based on price alone, HairMax is the winner.

The cost differences between the products are minor, however, meaning price should not be the sole factor in your decision.

How to Regrow Your Hair Naturally (2 Steps)

Whether you intend to use Toppik while regrowing your hair or not, you must take a natural approach. This will ensure your results are long-lasting.

1. Identify the Cause of Hair Loss

The only way to truly put an end to your hair loss is to first find the cause. This will help you understand why hair loss is happening and what you can do to stop it.

Identifying the cause is not always easy, as there can be numerous factors at play. Here are a few tips.

Track Your Symptoms

One of the easiest ways to rule out certain types of hair loss, such as Alopecia Areata (AA) or Male-Pattern Baldness (MPB), is to track your symptoms. You will get a fuller picture of your problem and, perhaps, be able to pinpoint the exact cause as a result.

Many symptoms may plague individuals with hair loss. Some of them are unique to specific types of balding, which can help you narrow down the cause.

For example, diffuse hair loss can be the result of certain medications or treatments such as chemotherapy. Patchy hair loss is typically the result of AA. Alternatively, gradual hair loss that begins at the hairline is more likely to be MPB.

Keep a Food Diary

While food is not the main factor in hair loss, it can be one of the contributing factors. By keeping a food diary, you can track the kinds of foods you eat. This will help you to see whether you are experiencing any nutrient deficiencies or reactions.

A food diary is also a great way to stay accountable. When you track each bite of food, you are more likely to make healthier choices. This can be crucial for certain kinds of hair loss, including MPB and Female-Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL).

Your food diary does not need to be elaborate. Simply record the foods you eat and their quantities, as well as any ‘symptoms’ you notice after eating them. For example, do you feel sluggish or unwell?

Visit a Specialist

Sometimes, the cause of hair loss can be obscure and may require the help of a hair loss specialist.

A specialist can perform various diagnostic tests, such as scalp biopsies and blood tests. They can also examine your hair closely under the microscope to determine if the hair loss pattern resembles MPB or another condition. Together, these examinations can potentially point to a health problem like thyroid malfunction or nutritional deficiency.

2. Treat the Problem At Its Source

With the cause now understood, it is time to treat the problem at its source. This means avoiding products that cover up the problem and using those that target and treat it.

The exact route you take will depend entirely on the cause. For example, individuals with MPB can focus on reducing DHT and increasing blood flow to the scalp. On the other hand, those with AA will need to seek out the help of a dermatologist to get the inflammation under control.

Conclusion

If you do choose to use Toppik, remember that you must also be working to treat the underlying hair loss. Otherwise, you may end up with permanent and irreversible baldness in the future.