For many hair loss sufferers, scalp "tinting" solutions are the most effective type of topical concealer. Tinting solutions like COUVRé, also commonly referred to as "masking lotions" or "concealing lotions," eliminate the contrast between thinning hair and the bald scalp by naturally darkening the skin and matching the tone to one's existing hair. By matching bald scalp to an individual's natural hair color, the harsh contrast of thinning hair is eliminated, and a fuller, denser appearance is achieved.

Although several types of masking lotions currently exist, one of the most popular and trusted is COUVRé. However, what makes COUVRé distinct from other masking lotions, or different types of concealers in general? Is COUVRé a quality concealer for both hair loss suffering men and women? Most importantly, what are other concelears users saying, and where can balding individuals purchase their own supply of COUVRé masking lotion?

COUVRé: What is it, and how does it work?

Unlike comparable "shaker" application products (such as Toppik – a popular topical applicator product from the same makers as COUVRé), COUVRé is a tinted lotion, meant to minimize the contrast between dark, thinning hair and the balding scalp. According to the manufacturers, COUVRé is applied to the scalp using a specialized sponge applicator. Once the masking formula is on the scalp and providing sufficient camouflage, users are instructed to simply style hair normally and go about their day.  The manufacturer of COUVRé assert that the application appears subtle, natural, will not appear "greasy or sticky," will not stain clothing or towels, and does not interfere with pores or affect natural hair growth.

The Benefits of COUVRé

According to both the manufacturers and satisfied users, COUVRé offers various benefits over comparable concealer products. First, because the makers of COUVRé are confident in the product, they ensure that, unlike some other concealers, COURVe will create a natural appearance without looking greasy or sticky, and does not clog scalp pores or interfere with existing hair shafts. Because of this, not only is COUVRé useful for those with thinning hair, but also for patients awaiting new growth from hair transplant surgery. What's more, COUVRé does not contain any harmful chemicals, can allegedly withstand perspiration, rain, wind, and even physical contact (such as touching the scalp).  COUVRé comes in 8 different colors/tones (to match all hair types) and is equally effective in both male and female hair loss sufferers.  Although COUVRé will withstand a variety of situations without smearing or smudging, it easily washes completely away with water and shampoo.

COUVRé Color Chart

Why COUVRé has Become Popular and Trusted within the Hair Restoration Community

While COUVRé does offer many benefits above other concealer products, its popularity and reputation within the hair restoration community is likely due to several important factors. First, unlike some other concealing products, COUVRé application is both simple and fast. For many individuals, the ability to naturally conceal thinning hair without spending an excessive amount of time "getting ready," is a huge benefit. Furthermore, because COUVRé contains natural ingredients and does not interfere with native or implanted hairs, it is safe to use with other proven hair loss medications (like Rogaine/minoxidil and Propecia/finasteride) and during the new growth phase of hair restoration surgery. Because of its ease of use, effective nature, and ability to conceal hair loss in a variety of situations, COUVRé has become a reputable hair loss treatment and remains popular within the hair restoration community.

What Real Hair Loss Sufferers are Saying About COUVRé

To read real reviews on COUVRé alopecia masking lotion from other hair loss suffering men and women, visit our hair loss forum and social community.

Balding Has Been Cured

Try telling that to 80 million men and women who are suffering from hair loss in the United States. They will laugh at you. Yet on a daily basis we are bombarded with ads for hair loss treatments like Avacor, Hair Genesis, Fabao and Procerin that use misleading advertising to sell their products. Thanks to their persuasive messages promising to regrow hair, consumers will spend nearly one billion dollars trying to find an effective hair loss remedy and fall victim to misleading advertising like this.

Thinning hair is a source of distress for millions of men and women so it is not unusual for them to seek help from anything that sounds like it will work. Most questionable hair loss products use similar, misleading marketing techniques ranging from claims to testimonials and photos.

Hair Loss Product Claims

Many hair loss products claim to be able to restore hair through the use of drugs, herbal lotions or other exotic applications like lights, lasers or electrical fields. While many of these products have been around for years, there is little evidence that they can restore hair.

How are they allowed to make such claims? These products often use small amounts of generic drugs found in Propecia and Rogaine (finasteride and minoxidil) which allows them to make the claim to stop hair loss or they imply hair growth with 'cosmetic' claims.

Misleading Marketing

Some hair loss products lead you to believe that they can stop hair loss by parsing their words. They can't come out and claim to regrow hair or stop hair loss, so they advertise vague claims like "thicker, fuller hair". This is a 'cosmetic' claim that any product can make. Be advised that cosmetic claims cannot restore hair or grow hair because they are not proven to do so.

False Testimonials

With the anonymous nature of Internet postings, people posing as users will mislead others with false testimonials. Often, positive reviews are produced by people compensated to post these messages. Since there is no real regulation of online postings, consumers are advised to take testimonials with skepticism.

Phony Photos

Most product advertising that claim that you can "Regrow Hair!" or make your hair 'thicker and fuller' and show a photo of a balding person with thin hair next to a photo of the same person with thicker hair covering the baldness. Photos don't lie, do they?

Well, yes they do.

You can prove it yourself. Take a photo of a head with thinning hair using a flash camera and then photograph the same head without the flash. The photo with the flash will look like a bald head and the photo without the flash will look like more hair.

Lighting, length of hair and how the hair is arranged on the head determine whether a photo of a head looks bald or not. Most people go through the same routine as balding advances: they push hair from here to there and hair spray it into place in the hope that no one will notice that we are going bald. To the extreme, this becomes the 'comb-over' hair style.

Review the photos of hair loss products you've seen. In most cases there will be just a few and they will all have misleading elements like lighting, hair style and length of hair in the 'before and after' photographs. If the products or services are really legitimate, there should be dozens of photos, if not hundreds or thousands.

The FDA and the FCC

Sadly, we think that the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Communications Commission (agencies who regulate such issues) can stop these scams. Unfortunately, they can't. Since the FDA approved Minoxidil and Finasteride as effective in stopping hair loss, any inclusion of these products in any form enables marketing companies to make hair restoration claims.

Even the studies done for Rogaine and Propecia are not that encouraging. When Rogaine was studied (active ingredient is minoxidil), 16% of the placebo group had measurable new hair growth. Four out of twenty-five people had real, measurable hair growth when they believed they were using something that worked. Both studies were limited in time and scope. To read the studies that were done achieve FDA approval, visit the FDA web site and scroll down to Propecia and Rogaine. (http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/nda/index97.htm )

Hair Loss and Hair Restoration

If a person is genetically prone to hair loss and balding, FDA proven hair loss treatments may help slow the process if they are used early and often. If you are like many and have already lost more hair than you're happy with, there is only one option to restoring your own natural hair: hair transplants. Hair transplants have become an art in the restoration of natural hair which is genetically resistant to the causes of balding.

Like any surgical solution, your success depends upon the quality of the doctor you choose. Doctors who are successful in restoring a natural looking head of hair are carefully reviewed by the Coalition of Hair Restoration Physicians for membership in this exclusive organization. They must allow access to past patients, confirm their training and provide photos and videos of their patients.

While hair transplants are not possible for everyone, they are now more natural and affordable than ever before.

View hundreds of real hair transplant photos done by the world's top hair loss specialists who are members of the Coalition of Hair Restoration Physicians.

Diffuse Hair Loss and How to Treat It

Unlike male pattern baldness (MPB) and female pattern hair loss (FPHL), which tends to follow one of the hair loss patterns defined by the NorwoodScale and the LudwigScale, Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) is characterized by diffuse thinning throughout the front, crown and vertex(crown) with no distinct pattern evident. However, like male and female pattern balding,Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients typically preserve the stable "permanent zone" on the sides and back of the scalp and may sometimes retain a well-defined hairline. DPA is also a type of hereditary balding condition like and rogenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss).

Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) can be difficult to diagnose and, particularly in its early stages, may be confused with a similar condition known as Diffused Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA). While both conditions are characterized by diffuse thinning, DUPA sufferers lack the stable permanent zone necessary for surgical hair restoration.

Treatment for Diffuse Patterned Alopecia

DPA often responds well to medical hair loss treatments like Propecia (finasteride) and Rogaine(minoxidil) and, due to the preservation of the permanent donor region, many DPA sufferers are candidates for hairrestoration surgery.

Conclusion

It’s essential that hair loss suffering men and women seeking medical and/or surgical treatment for diffuse thinning consult with a skilled and experienced hair restoration physician. Differentiating between DPA and DUPA is critical because Diffuse Patterned Alopecia patients frequently make good hair transplant candidates, whereas DUPA patients rarely do.

Childbirth may result in hair loss. It's common for many women to notice hair loss about 3 months after they've had a baby. This too, is caused by hormones. But this is not something to worry about. You see, during pregnancy, hair that normally falls out is kept in by high levels of hormones. Once the hormones have returned to pre-pregnancy levels, this extra hair falls out. The normal cycle of hair growth and loss then begins again.

Hair loss Myths - What is or isn’t true?

Maybe you’ve heard that wearing a tight baseball cap too often will make you bald or that if you wash your hair too much you’ll suffer hair loss. Well, they’re both old wives’ tales.

So what really causes hair loss and what’s myth?

Brushing to Grow Hair?

The idea of brushing the hair 100 times a day to stimulate the scalp circulation is a fantasy. In fact, if you brush your hair too much, you may end up injuring and losing hair.

This myth stems from the thought that hair loss was due to poor circulation and that brushing or massaging would improve blood flow and nutrition to the follicles. The truth is, bald or not, there’s no major difference in scalp circulation.

Styling and Hair Loss?

There’s some truth and some fiction when it comes to hair styling and Hair Loss.

It is true that certain hair styles, such as corn-rows or tight ponytails, can cause hair loss. These styles put undue tension on the hairs. But as for hair sprays, perm solutions, or coloring resulting in hair loss there’s no truth to that idea. These applications may cause some damage to the hair strands. But the all-important follicles, located under the skin, stay safe.

And what about the idea that haircuts will make your hair grow back thicker and faster? That’s wishful thinking. Everyone’s hair growth and length depends on their own unique hair cycle, which is based on both nutrition and heredity. The longer your growth phase the longer your hair growth.

Blowing away your hair?

What about hair dryers? Are these follicular incinerators?

The good news is there is no evidence that hair dryers cause thinning hair. However, too hot or too much drying may lead to brittle and breakable hair. Let common sense guide you and hold the hair dryer at a normal distance from your scalp and dry to your heart’s content.

Vitamins and Steroids?

Think about this – if you were losing hair because of a lack of vitamins or minerals in your diet, why wouldn’t the back and sides of your head be affected? In actuality, vitamin deficiency results in an even distribution of hair loss all over the head. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to take vitamins on a regular basis for your overall health.

Your follicles width and amount are based on heredity. So claims of hair growing miracle drugs or natural hair loss treatments are untrue.

However, steroids use can cause hair loss. Research has proven that anabolic steroids raise the levels of baldness-inducing male hormones. For those who are genetically prone to hair loss, this can speed up the loss in as little as 3 to 6 months. While this loss may be reversed, it can be permanent.

Sexual Activity to Grow Hair?

Unfortunately, there is no truth to the idea that the more sex you have, the less hair you’ll lose! And the same goes for the rumors that the chemicals released during sex can affect hair loss. Science has yet to uncover any proof to this fantasy. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep experimenting.

The Hair Loss Family Tree

Many men believe that if their father has a full head of hair, they’ll keep a good head of hair. But hair loss or hair growth is set by a genetic combination determined by both sides of your family.Of course, if your family tree is filled with balding scalps, you do have a better chance of losing hair.

Treatments that work

While hair loss sufferers spend small fortunes on treatments based on myths, there are several proven treatments, non-surgical and surgical.

Currently there are only two non-surgical hair loss treatments that are FDA approved for Hair loss. These two are Propecia (Finasteride) and Rogaine (minoxidil).

Other treatments may or may not help stop or reverse hair loss, but they are not formally approved by the FDA

To learn about proven treatments visit our Hair Loss Solutions section.

There are a variety of hair loss remedy "concealer" products that are applied to the scalp and/or hair in the thinning areas to mask a person's baldness and increase the look of fullness of thinning hairs. These products such as Toppik, Couvré, and Prothik can work surprisingly well at creating the illusion of fuller hair.

Some of our member physicians advise their hair restoration patients to use such hair loss remedy products to enhance the look of fullness in their transplanted areas. These products can also be used post operatively to hide the immediate surgery.

Toppik - Toppik is an effective, safe, and easy-to-use product that completely covers up the scalp's thinning areas.

Couvre - COUVRe is safe for men and women, easy to use, and is totally undetectable to the world's toughest critics.

Caboki - Caboki is comprised of a series of charged microfibers that, when applied to the scalp, tightly bind hair shafts and create a denser, fuller appearance.

DermMatch - DermMatch is a safe and easy way to cover-up thinning areas and instantly provides the appearance of a natural looking head of hair.

Nanogen - Nanogen is one of the fastest, easiest ways to conceal thinning hair and hair loss.

Prothik - Prothik does an exceptional job of adding thickness and fullness to thinning hair while reducing the contrast between thinning hair and the scalp.

The "Active" Ingredient in Many Popular Hair Loss Treatment Products

Many popular hair loss treatment options today such as Provillus, Procerin, and Avacor contain the “active” ingredient saw palmetto. It can also be purchased as a standalone supplement in most nutritional stores. But the age old question of whether or not it can effectively treat baldness in men and women with alopecia is still heavily debated. By taking a look at the scientific evidence available we are able to draw some conclusions as to its potential benefit for those with thinning hair.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto berries are a deep red fruit that grow wild on palm trees in warmer climates, typically found in the Southeastern United States. The liposerolic berry extract is typically used as an herbal supplement for the promotion of a healthy prostate.

Saw Palmetto Hair Loss Study:

Similarly to finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia and Proscar), studies have shown that when taken orally, it may be an effective anti-androgen by lowering dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the body by blocking 5 alpha-reductase enzymes. Additionally it is said to block receptor cites on cells which is required for cells to absorb DHT.

Tests have also been performed on its use in the treatment of benign prostatic disease, which similarly to androgenic alopecia, depends on the production of DHT.

It is also noteworthy to state that a small preliminary study in 2002 was performed as reported by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine(2002;8:143-52) that shows a select group of 19 men between the ages of 23 and 64 taking either (400mg of saw palmetto and 100mg of Beta-sitosterol) or a placebo orally. Those who took the herbal combination had 60% improved hair growth over those who took the placebo. There have been no studies to date indicating the efficacy of saw palmetto applied topically for male pattern baldness, female hair loss, or anything to date.

In our opinion, there are two potential difficulties with this study:

• Many scientists would argue that the control study group was too small to determine any real efficacy and improved hair growth could have happened by chance. A larger study therefore may be necessary to determine any level of real efficacy.
• “Improved hair growth” is not the same thing as newhair growth and hair regrowth, nor should it necessarily imply that it works to stop hair loss
• There are no regulations or suggested daily value as to how much saw palmetto would be required to successfully treat baldness. The appropriate dosage therefore is questionable.
• The above study was only performed on saw palmetto taken orally. Hair loss products that promote topical use for baldness are basing their belief in its efficacy on something other than published clinical evidence.

The Dosage:

But if there are no current standards on dosages of herbal medications in the United States, how do these popular hair loss treatments produce an appropriate dosage?

Clinical studies on Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia (BPH) have used a dosage of 320mg of the berry extract daily (either one 320mg pill or 2 X 160 mg pill). A daily dosage of 480 mg of saw palmetto berry extract was not found to be any more effective in a six-month study. If the entire berry was used, up to 1000mg or 2000mg would be required to reach the same goal.

The theory therefore is that if saw palmetto can successfully treat an enlarged prostate similarly to finasteride, it can effectively treat hair loss with a similar dosage Many popular “baldness cure” products contain approximately 1500mg of the berry which is equivalent to approximately 240-320mg of the berry extract.

Side Effects and Warnings:

One false assumption is that “all natural” treatments don’t have potential side effects. It is stated that use of saw palmetto has not proven to be safe for women with hair loss during pregnancy and lactation. Medical supervision is suggested for women of childbearing age. Similar warnings are listed about Propecia.

Conclusions:

Based on some anecdotal evidence, saw palmetto is said to treat baldness because of its tendency to act like finasteride by helping those suffering from BPH. However, authentic clinical studies have not been performed to date that support this claim. Dosage and how it should be used (orally or topically) therefore is based on conjecture rather that scientific evidence.