Chalky Dermmatch application- how to fix it??

[hairbank]

While still waiting on my crown to fill in from the last HT, I decided to try a concealer. I tried Dermmatch a few years back for my crown, pre-HT(s), but it was way to thin and appeared shiny in the sun. Anyhow.......

 

I've not tried concealers other than dermmatch..............from what I've read when you consider cost, coverage, ease of application......it seemed the best. The problem I've had is getting rid of the "chalky" appearance after application. I've searched the threads here and elsewhere, including Roberts superb thread....pics included. I did try toweling off the excess but it still seemed chalky and some would still come off when I ran my fingers through my hair. Maybe I'm using too much?? Will a certain type of hairspray, or gel that you can blow dry help (I don't like the wet look)?

 

Though I'm aiming for crown coverage, I'm a little thin everywhere so I've been attempting to apply it all over. It really does thicken the hair, and I tried it with gel after it dried and it looked okay left wet looking. I hope not to have to use it after the HT comes in but would like to aid in getting coverage.

 

I would appreciate anyone using dermmatch (or others that you'd care to recommend) to share their application procedure.......step by step especially including what you do to get rid of the chalky look. At present, I dampen the applicator, rub it in the disk, then apply starting in the crown and moving forward rubbing back and forth on the hair and scalp to get even coverage. I even tried rinsing my hair after applying dermmatch when it was dry to rid the chalky look but to no avail.

[tkerr22]

I remember using dermatch awile ago but never really cared for it, I found toppik much easier, especially for the crown. Dermatch was always chalky for me as well, but back then I had really short hair so maybe that was my issue. I like Toppik cause I sprinkle some back in my crown area and then comb my hair over the area and it works wonders, for the hairline it is much tougher but for the crown it is great and takes me about 30 seconds a day to do. No real help though for the dermatch, just giving my opinion. Good luck

[TooThin]

Hairbank:

 

I have been using Dermmatch for about a year now. I think you are probably applying too much. Try applying it with a dry or slightly damp applicator. Simply take your time and pat it on the affected area with the applicator. I got that same chalky feeling when the applicator was very wet and I applied too much.

 

I haven't tried Toppik but I am curious about how it compares to Dermmatch. So I plan to give it a try.

[JakeVig]

Hairbank,

 

I have been using Dermatch since a few weeks after my HT to mask my donor and recipient area, it has worked wonders, and it definately masked the fact that I had a HT.

 

I used to wet the applicator as well, but I have found it is best to pour some water in the Dermatch disk itself and then use the applicator to mix the water with the dermatch to thicken it up then scoop up the resulting thick-wet dermatch with the applicator then apply to hair. I dont really get the chalky appearance cause I only ever apply wet dermatch.

[slick old]

I've been using the dermmatch for a couple months and I've become pretty good at it. I'll apply it fresh out of the shower and do other things for 10-15 mins until dry. Then I rinse my head under water (no shampoo) and pat hair dry with a towel. Works great and you can see the excess come out in the water. I've found that the best way to get decent coverage is to apply a a little more than necessary then rinse out. Hope this helps

 

edit: after rereading your post hairbank I see you already tried this. Maybe the color your applying is too light? I started with the plat. blonde and it made my hair look chalky after rinsing.

[MrJobi]

Hi

 

I think he is using too much as it can get chalky if this happens. I prefer not to dampen the applicator but use less and take a little more time. Also, I apply right behind the hairline to avoid a "hairline". When you brush your hair for the first time the Dermatch will get spread evenly.

[jagdish]

Earlier I was applying gel to avoid the chalky look. I followed Slick's instructions and it works great. Also my hair colour is little different from the dermimatch applied hair colour. It fixes that issue too. Thanks a mil, Slick.

 

-Jagdish

[hairbank]

You may want to look at this post if you want to try dermmatch along with a styling product.

[kg007]

Hairbank -

 

I have used dermmatch in the past. Although it works wonders, it is very obvious in certain lights. I had the same problem, sometimes I had the chalky look sometimes I didn't. Anyway, now I use Toppik once in a while and it works great. Very undetectable once you master the application, and it takes less than 30 seconds compare to Dermmatch where you have to wait to let it try and all the headache. All I do is, after shower I let me hair dry completely, and then sprinkle is on my hair evernly and then apply hair spray on it. While hair spray is still wet, I rub on my hair/scalp with finger tips so all the little fibers stick to my hair/scalp and creates a natural look. Once it's all dry and good, I apply hair spray again and style in any way I want. After you're done, anybody can run their hands through your hair, and won't detect a thing. Works great!

[slick old]

Jagdish-

Glad to help! I've been following your progress as you're a few months ahead of me. Any updates? Feel free to check out my photo album, I just updated 2 months.

 

kg-

I agree with what you say about being obvious under certain lights. I went to a wedding party a few days ago and within seconds of getting out of my car under a blazing overhead sun the bride asks me if I dyed my hair. She said it looked orange so it seems I was busted. I didn't get any obvious stares the rest of the day from anyone else but she did make me uneasy. Besides this I haven't had any comments but it's best to avoid harsh lighting with this stuff because it can become detectable.

[worried]

On the dermatch subject I just tried it and went to work without my hat for the first time in 9 years. What a strange but great feeling. my boss said he didn't recognize me for a minute without my hat. He said usually guys with no hair ware hats. About 3 people asked me where my hat was and I said at home. I wet the applicator applied it evenly , ran a comb through it then blow dried it on low for a few minutes. I asked the person living here if it looked noticable and he said no. The only problem is i think the light brown is to light and the dark brown to dark. I think I have to order the dark brown and mix with the light. alls I can say is I feel free after 9 years of having a hat on. It is also water proof I went diving with it on and it still looked ok. I have very little hair on the crown but I have enough to use it I gues. Still that is the area(crown) that really bothered me in the first place. I want to get another ht in the future for the crown area. Also I gues I have to apply this stuff dailey or ware the hat or people will ask questions. Anyone know a web site with the best price on dermatch including shipping . Thanks Scott

[hairbank]

Scott,

 

Just order it from dermmatch.com, I don't think price varies much on this stuff from site to site. It's $29.95 for one disc and you get a 2nd color for free.

[worried]

THANKS

[TooThin]

You can order Dermmatch in a Medium Brown colour. That's what I use. I mix a bit of Dark Brown with Medium Brown and it seems to work fine.

[worried]

Thanks you saved me 29.00 . I ordered from dermmatch .com and got an extra tub free. Also I got medium brown and if its to dark I have light brown to mix it. Thanks hairbank and toothin.

scott

[hairbank]

For what it's worth-

 

As I've been waiting ( ) for my crown to fill in from HT #2, I've used a little dermmatch at times to help it along. IMO, I have found that if it ends up looking chalky after application, you have too much dermmatch in, period!

 

As I have a little more length now, but still some see-through, I have applied it dry and/or very damp and really just used it to "thicken" the hair and didn't really worry about "painting" the scalp. This has worked pretty well. It even helps me on top and a little in front...........I don't really need to establish the hairline but I'm a diffused thinner and it completely takes away any see-through look.

 

Bottom line................if you're using dermmatch and end up with hair looking chalky, there's too much in! Try going with less. As has been said, in this case less is more. If you can't get the look you want with dermmatch without adding too much and having a chalky look to the hair, you probably don't have enough hair for dermmatch to work for you.

 

I'm hoping not to need a concealer when HT #2 is fully grown in. Meanwhile- I think I'll buy some toppik and see how it does on the crown.

[dj45]

I just wanted to share my years of experience with Dermmatch. I have found this to be easiest and most cost effective application method. First change Dermmatch into a powder; open a new Dermmatch disk, scrape off the top layer with a knife and dump the powder into an old empty disk. Do this a few times until the old disk is less than half full (this lasts me several weeks and you'll see that very little Dermmatch is used from the new disk). The powder is much easier to work with and there's no waste. I find it easier to apply by using very little water. To do this, apply it when the hair is dry, using a finger, rather than the applicator. Move the powder in the disk to the sides, leaving an empty area in the disk to work with. Wet the tip of a finger, place it in the empty part of the disk and work some of the powder into the water until the finger has a layer of Dermmatch on it and there's no water remaining in the disk. Using a finger rather than the applicator makes it easier to work Dermmatch evenly onto the scalp (it's better to use a light touch at first to move it around). The result is a dryer application, leaving less of a glossy finish.

Using this method, a 4 disc order will last me about 2-1/2 years. Also, it only takes a few minutes each morning to apply.

[MrJobi]

Hi D

 

Funny you say that. I noticed when I started a new disc of Dermatch it didn't work as well as the old one.. I think I might try your process to get it like a "worn in"" disc .. The worn in applies sooo much better and has better coverage..

 

Also, I liked the old applicators better than the cheaper new ones.

 

Thanks!