Why a part looks wider than it is
A part divides the hair on purpose, so a little scalp always shows. It looks wider for three reasons. Light falls straight onto it from above, whether the Amman midday sun or a ceiling light. Hair parted in the same place for years lies flat on both sides of the line. And long, heavy hair pulls the roots down, so the two sides fall away from each other.
Tight ponytails and high buns pull hair away from the part too. More styling habits are in our guide to making thin hair look thicker.
Where to wear the part
Small changes to the part itself often help most:
- Move it. Shifting the part a centimeter or two, to hair that hasn't been trained to lie flat, usually makes it look fuller.
- Try a side part. A center part shows the line from every angle; a side part sends more hair across the top of the head.
- Soften the line. A zigzag part, or one drawn loosely with the fingers instead of a fine comb, doesn't read as a single straight stripe.
Fibers along the part, step by step
Styling narrows the line; Toppik Hair Building Fibers fill in what still shows. These colored keratin fibers, made of the same protein as hair, cling to the hairs either side of the part, so the scalp stops showing through. They work with all hair types, straight, wavy or curly, and stay in place until the next wash.
- Wash, dry and style the hair first, including any heat styling. Fibers go on last, before any hairspray.
- Part the hair where it will be worn.
- Hold the bottle over the line and tap it gently from the front of the part to the back, a little at a time.
- Aim at the roots either side of the line rather than its middle, so the fibers settle on hair.
- Pat gently with the fingertips, then let the hair fall back into place.
- Finish with a light mist of FiberHold Spray for longer wear.
The fibers belong at the roots, not on the lengths. Our step-by-step guide to applying Toppik covers the rest of the routine.
The crown and hair worn up
For many women the crown thins along with the part, and it shows most when the hair is up, since a ponytail or bun draws hair away from it.
- Put the hair up first, then shake the fibers over whatever scalp still shows, and pat.
- A lower, looser style pulls less at the crown than a high, tight one.
- Check the back with a hand mirror or a phone photo from above.
Colored, highlighted and gray roots
Fibers sit at the roots, so they need to match the roots, not the lengths, with highlights, balayage or dye alike.
Gray regrowth along the part between salon visits is a different case. The fibers can be used on the roots, so to blend the regrowth with the dyed color, choose the shade that matches the dye. For hair that is mostly gray or silver, Gray is the shade.
The five shades run from Black through three browns to Gray, with no red or blonde. Our guide to choosing a Toppik color explains matching, including how to layer two shades.
Fibers alongside a doctor's advice
A wider part in women has many possible causes, from genetics and hormonal changes after childbirth or around menopause to stress, diet and some medical conditions, and some respond to treatment. A dermatologist is the person to see about the cause. Fibers don't affect hair growth and wash out with shampoo, so they cover the look in the meantime, or while the decision is being made.
If a doctor has prescribed something for the scalp, ask how to time it with fibers. If the scalp is itchy, sore or red, see the doctor first. Toppik is for external use only; stop using it if irritation or a rash appears.
To start, choose the 12 g bottle in the shade that matches the roots, with FiberHold Spray to set it. Not sure of the shade? Contact us and we'll help match it.
Questions
Can hair fibers cover a wide part?
They can make a wider part look fuller: the fibers cling to the hairs either side of the line, so less scalp shows. They need hair to hold on to, so they suit a part that has widened, not smooth skin.
Can Toppik cover gray roots along the part?
The fibers can be used on the roots. For gray regrowth between salon visits, choose the shade that matches the dyed color, so the roots blend with it until the next wash. For hair that is mostly gray or silver, choose Gray.
Do hair fibers work on curly or colored hair?
Yes. Toppik fibers work with all hair types, straight, wavy or curly. On colored or highlighted hair, match the shade to the roots rather than the lengths.
Is a side part or a center part better for thinning hair?
A side part usually shows less scalp, because it sends more hair across the top of the head. Moving the part to a new spot helps too.
