My First Experience With Dermatch

[Angela]

http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=62

Well, I messed around with Dermatch this morning and I need a lot more practice with it. It will take a lot to cover up all my areas. I created a photo album with before and after pix if anyone wants to take a look:

http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/album.php?albumid=7

I think I need my hair to get longer so that I can control how I part my hair. Too much got on my hair and made it look really chalky. Dull and chalky hair is not a good look for me. LOL :eek:
I also have some see-through hair coming in and what I do like about the dermatch is that it gives color to these hairs. :D It also colors over the white, which I don't like. I believe that is what contributes to it looking so dull and chalky. I may need a darker color than the what I have now also. I'm not giving up though. LOL I'll keep playing with it.

[RMM]

This is interesting to read about your experience with Dermatch. It seems to me, looking at your photos, that it is giving you nice coverage.

[finaleofseem]

Wow -- it does really make a difference, doesn't it? You're beautiful either way, of course, but I'd never seen pictures of anyone after using dermamatch. How fun!

An aside: I was waiting for the bus after work today and saw a woman with the same kind of spiky crew cut you've got. I was so surprised and happy to see a woman rocking the almost-bare haircut that I'm sure I freaked her out by staring. It was partly out of surprise (you don't see many 20somethings with that haircut!), and partly because it looked SO good on her. It's amazing how feminine we can look with almost no hair, isnt it?

[kawawa]

Angela,

You look great, your color matches perfectly and the coverage is supurb. BTW I love your eye brow shape.

I have a great picture diary like you do. I always felt the need to keep track of what was going on. I am glad that I did it now, because I think it helps other women to see what we can do with our hair even when it is thinning. I don't want to hijack your thread, but I am going to post a couple of before and after photos too. It may help others. I used Toppik prior to getting the topper. My hair is curly in this photo and wasn't at its worst, but you get the idea.

Dermamatch and Toppik are great products.

[Angela]

This is interesting to read about your experience with Dermatch. It seems to me, looking at your photos, that it is giving you nice coverage.

It does give coverage that aside from the chalkiness looks like a full head of hair...especially to my family. They noticed it and didn't think it looked fake or anything like that.
Last night I took some baby wipes and rubbed them over all the areas my head looked dusty or chalky and it definitely helped to cut down on that dull look by removing some of the color off the ends.

[Angela]

Wow -- it does really make a difference, doesn't it? You're beautiful either way, of course, but I'd never seen pictures of anyone after using dermamatch. How fun!

An aside: I was waiting for the bus after work today and saw a woman with the same kind of spiky crew cut you've got. I was so surprised and happy to see a woman rocking the almost-bare haircut that I'm sure I freaked her out by staring. It was partly out of surprise (you don't see many 20somethings with that haircut!), and partly because it looked SO good on her. It's amazing how feminine we can look with almost no hair, isnt it?

I probably should have done a multi quote so I can post everything at the same time! LOL

Women are very feminine with hair or without. I think 20 somethings that have seen how beautiful Natalie Portman looks bald or with a very short hair cut decided to give it a shot. Women are definitely beginning to break away from society's prescribed version of "feminine."

I had to make putting the Dermatch on fun. I have been good so far about my emotional state and while I was applying it, it was so clear to me how much I have lost and what a difference it makes to have a cosmetic solution. There is that battle of depression that has a way of creeping in, and I am trying so hard to turn my situation around and make it a positive one. If I don't, the depression will seep in and I will end up shaving it all off again so I won't have to feel that way. Making hair loss fun (who ever heard of such a concept right?) is my only saving grace at this point.

[Angela]

Angela,

You look great, your color matches perfectly and the coverage is supurb. BTW I love your eye brow shape.

I have a great picture diary like you do. I always felt the need to keep track of what was going on. I am glad that I did it now, because I think it helps other women to see what we can do with our hair even when it is thinning. I don't want to hijack your thread, but I am going to post a couple of before and after photos too. It may help others. I used Toppik prior to getting the topper. My hair is curly in this photo and wasn't at its worst, but you get the idea.

Dermamatch and Toppik are great products.

The more the merrier! Please do post before and after pictures.

[valentine]

ahh , to be so beautiful with or without hair ,one can only dream ! no , I can only dream ,you already are =)

hugs

[Angela]

Never underestimate your beauty my dear! You're beautiful. :>

[Angela]

Hi Girls,
I'm going to move our wig posts over to the wig thread. I will post it under "First Wig Experiences". Its a great thread and I would like it to continue under that heading for anyone else that may want to talk about their wig experience or is considering getting one soon.
I don't want to move too far off topic from the original subject.
Thanks. :)

Here is a link to the new thread with all your posts about wigs:

http://forum.womenshairlossproject.com/showthread.php?t=147

[ShinyObjects]

I think that looks good! I know what you mean about the chalky hair, I've used it for 2 years, and nothing I do seems to avoid that.

I did try Couvre, its a much better effect- less chalky, but GOD what a mess, it looked like I'd blown up a bottle of hair dye in my bathroom... not to be repeated sadly :(

Someone once recommended using DermMatch with a soft toothbrush not the applicator close to the hairline, it allows you to get closer to the hairline, unfortunately not right up to it, but closer than just using the applicator as it applies less, and doesn't give complete cover so allows it to fade out.

[divinem]

Nice job. I was too impatient to take b4/aft photos. Mine isn't as easy to demonstrate because I have longer hair. How do you like it/the consistency, etc.? It make my baby fine hair feel "funny" if that's a description, like it has sand in it or something. It feels heavy and isn't as shiny. But it definitely covered up the bald spots where they are showing up.

I guess there are trade-offs.

Are you going to continue to grow your hair out? Which color of Dermatch did you get? I got black.

[divinem]

I think that looks good! I know what you mean about the chalky hair, I've used it for 2 years, and nothing I do seems to avoid that.

I did try Couvre, its a much better effect- less chalky, but GOD what a mess, it looked like I'd blown up a bottle of hair dye in my bathroom... not to be repeated sadly :(

Someone once recommended using DermMatch with a soft toothbrush not the applicator close to the hairline, it allows you to get closer to the hairline, unfortunately not right up to it, but closer than just using the applicator as it applies less, and doesn't give complete cover so allows it to fade out.

CHALKY! YES! That's exactly how it feels! But it's better than a wig or any other "system" right now, I guess.

Thanks for the reco on the toothbrush, too. I'll try that.

Had to laugh at the visual of a bottle of hair dye blowing up in your bathroom. LOL

[Mathilde]

so what exactly are dermatch and toppick? I read about them here and there, but I'm not sure exactly what they do, how you use them, where you get your hands on them.
I'm pretty open about my hair loss, and the last time I got my hair cut, I was just like, I'm balding...and my hair dresser told me about a colored "hair spray" by bumble/bumble that is supposed to I guess help fill in thinner areas with color... you guys know about it? is that what dermatch and toppik do?

[MrsK4Jesus]

Angela, I don't know if you still use Derm Match but I found that it looks chalky if it is too light in color for your hair. I also found that it still makes your hair look a little dull so I use different hair products that add shine and I put a little on top of the hair to cover the dull looking effect from the Derm Match.

[MrsK4Jesus]

What I have found in regard to the Derm Match is that it is more chalky if it is too light for your hair shade. If it is the right color, it still makes hair look dull so I use different products that add shine. I use just a little and put it on top of the hair that looks dull and it helps tremendously. It takes away that dull look!! I don't know the product names off the top of my head but I have something by Paul Mitchell, and some kind of spray shine stuff I got at Target.

[Angela]

Hi,
I found that if you use baby wipes to get the excess off, it brings back the shine to the hair without taking off too much of what you may need.

[Collette]

Beautiful... all of you! :D

[ShinyObjects]

so what exactly are dermatch and toppick? I read about them here and there, but I'm not sure exactly what they do, how you use them, where you get your hands on them.
I'm pretty open about my hair loss, and the last time I got my hair cut, I was just like, I'm balding...and my hair dresser told me about a colored "hair spray" by bumble/bumble that is supposed to I guess help fill in thinner areas with color... you guys know about it? is that what dermatch and toppik do?

Mathilde-

Toppik & Nanogen are similar, very fine fibres that bind to hair to fill in the thin areas, both look pretty good, I was really impressed with Nanogen, but both come out in water.

Shabo is another one, similar but it's a powder, it also looks quite good but comes off a bit easily I think.

Dermmatch is a little like kid's face-paint! BUT it's good, you paint it on your scalp and it makes your hair look thicker. It also does't come off when swimming. It can make your hair look a bit dry or chalky though- although Angela's trick using baby wipes does help a little (thanks!:D)

[megtro610]

just got mine in the mail! ... but it's the wrong color >:(

[shortie]

Thanks for sharing this. I went to a dermatologist yesterday, and she ordered up a bunch of bloodwork. On the check-out sheet, she circled alopecia. I didn't see it until last night, and it just sent chills up my spine. Ordered Toppix and will report my experiences. You really look great with extra-short hair.

[Granny7]

I used Toppex for about 5 years, when my hair was thinning on top. I thought it worked great, finally stopped using it as my hair loss was beyond that. You can't even tell that you are using it and if the color is wrong, you can even mix the colors if one isn't right.

[Infinity]

So far I've used Toppik, DermaMatch (chalky, indeed!) and ShaBo. I'd like to try Nanogen. Does anyone have any info?
Thanks.

[Granny7]

So far I've used Toppik, DermaMatch (chalky, indeed!) and ShaBo. I'd like to try Nanogen. Does anyone have any info?
Thanks.
Hi Nanogen,
Just returned home, so am behind in all posts. In regards to the Toppik, I used it for years, even mixed 2 to get the right color. It worked great for me for years, looked very natural also and no one could tell that I was using it. I had about a 10% hair loss, so it filled in nicely, unfortunately now, I have about a 75% hair loss and it sure would not work for me.

I don't have any information on the other ones that you mentioned. Best of luck in which ever one you choose.

[Infinity]

From what I could glean from the Nanogen website, it's the same as Toppik, but from England. I can't tell any difference. I do prefer this system to both DermaMatch and ShaBo, but the Aluminum that it contains is not healthy and may increase hair loss.

[Granny7]

From what I could glean from the Nanogen website, it's the same as Toppik, but from England. I can't tell any difference. I do prefer this system to both DermaMatch and ShaBo, but the Aluminum that it contains is not healthy and may increase hair loss.
Hi, I didn't know that it had aluminum in it, so I wouldn't think that would be a good thing.

I just had a biopsy done yesterday, but the dermatologist was very encouraging and I've known her for over 10 yrs. She suggested the drug, Spiro, something, can't remember how to spell it. It's suppose to help, but want to read what the others have said about it. Also to mix Rogaine with a topic steroid, can't do that till I have my allergy test this Thursday. This is all so very frustrating, I had waited almost 2 months to see her and didn't get one positive answer. She mentioned that I might want to buy a wig, since my hairpiece is hurting my head.

I hope that you have had better luck than I've had?

God Bless,
Linda

[GW07626]

Thank you for the info, I am first hearing about these products and I will look into them now. Where is the cheapest place to buy them, I have medium brown hair and I am still wearing it long with a side part, but the part is getting very wide.

[Granny7]

Thank you for the info, I am first hearing about these products and I will look into them now. Where is the cheapest place to buy them, I have medium brown hair and I am still wearing it long with a side part, but the part is getting very wide.
GW07626
I haven't seen them any cheaper than the Toppik Web site, which is where I always ordered them. You might do a google search, e-bay or Amazon, where someone is selling some? My hair was a medium brown and that's what I ordered. Sometimes it seemed to dark, so I mixed it with a medium blond. I don't have enough hair now to even use it. I have to wear a wig, unfortunately.
Granny7

[GW07626]

Thank you. Sorry for your hair loss problems, it is very difficult.

[Granny7]

Thank you. Sorry for your hair loss problems, it is very difficult.
Hi GW07626,
I hope I was of some help. I only wish that I could find out the reason for the hair loss? I just can't find a good endocrinologist or dermatologist to get down to the "root" of the problem.

Granny7