Search for hair fiber spray and you'll get two completely different products on the same page of results. One sprays the fibers onto your head. The other goes on after fibers to hold them there.

Here we'll sort out what hair fiber spray is, compare the aerosol approach against shake-on fibers with a separate holding spray, and cover how to use a holding spray properly.

What is hair fiber spray?

Hair fiber spray usually means one of two products, and they do opposite jobs.

• Aerosol fiber spray. A pressurized can that sprays colored fibers onto thinning areas. One product, one step.
• Hair fiber holding spray. A finishing spray applied after fibers to lock them in. It adds no color and no coverage of its own.

SureThik takes the second approach. You apply hair fibers from a shake-on bottle, then set them with Hair Fiber Holding Spray. If you want a spray action rather than a shake, our Hair Fiber Applicator twists onto the bottle and turns it into a pump.

Aerosol Fiber Spray vs Shake-On Fibers

If you’re comparing aerosol hair fiber spray to shake-on fibers, aerosol wins on speed, and shake-on wins on everything you control yourself.

Unlike a shake-on fiber product like SureThik, an aerosol fiber spray includes potentially harmful propellants and denatured alcohol in the formula. You also get a two to three minute wait before you can touch your hair, and often fewer shade choices.

Aerosol makers also recommend a finishing hairspray over the top, because the fibers can transfer onto fingers, pillows, and hat linings. This means that what's sold as a one-step aerosol product needs two products anyway. You end up with a can and a hairspray that were never designed to work together.

SureThik was built as a system instead. Our keratin fibers come in eight shades that layer together and are derived from natural wool. The alcohol-free Hair Fiber Holding Spray absorbs into those fibers rather than drying on top of them. And the Hair Fiber Applicator turns the bottle into a pump if you want spray action with placement you control. Two products designed for each other, and the Hair Fiber Starter Package puts both in one box.

Learn more about what hair fibers contain and how to choose the best brand in our piece on best hair fibers.

How does hair fiber spray work?

Hair fiber holding spray like SureThik strengthens the bond between your hair and the hair fibers you’ve just applied so they move less and last longer.

Hair fibers attach electrostatically. That is a strong enough hold for a normal day indoors. The Holding Spray sets over the top and adds a second layer of security, so a few sprays lock in your fibers for all-day hold through wind, sweat, and light rain.

What makes a good fiber holding spray for thinning hair?

A real fiber lock spray is built to bond with fibers and hold them in place. This is not the same as regular hairspray, which is built to hold hair.

Plenty of sprays sold alongside fibers are just rebadged drugstore hairspray. They are cheap to make, they are cheap to use, and their performance shows it. Four things separate a real holding spray from one of those:

• Lightweight. It sits on the fibers without weighing them down.
• Non-clumpy. Fibers stay separate instead of gathering into patches.
• Gentle on the hair and scalp. No alcohol drying out the area you are trying to cover. (Alcohol can also lead to hair breakage.)
• Seals the fibers. It seals each fiber to your hair rather than sitting on top of everything and cementing it to your head.

Why is SureThik Holding Spray water-based?

We made SureThik Hair Fiber Holding Spray water-based to give you more control over your finished style. Alcohol-based sprays dry almost immediately, locking your hair in place before you’ve had much time to brush, shape, or add volume.

SureThik’s water-based formula gives you a 10–15-second styling window. It works with our fine wool keratin fibers, allowing you to make those final adjustments before the spray dries and helps hold the fibers in place.

The difference is in the finish, too. Rather than leaving hair looking dry or powdery, SureThik’s spray adds a natural shine. And its alcohol-free formula avoids the drying effects associated with alcohol-based styling sprays.

Is hair fiber holding spray waterproof?

Hair fiber holding spray isn’t waterproof, but it is water resistant. It holds through wind, sweat, and light rain.

A downpour or a swim is different, and you should expect to reapply after either. Nothing that washes out with shampoo is going to survive being soaked on purpose. You can learn more in our article on how long hair fibers last.

Why do shake-on hair fibers give you more control?

Shake-on fibers give you control over:

• Placement. You build coverage on the spot that shows. A can sprayed from three to six inches away covers whatever the cloud reaches, including hair that did not need it.
• Quantity. You stop when the scalp stops showing through. This matters most at the hairline, which shows the most and needs the least coverage to look natural.
• Shade. Aerosol fiber sprays come in a handful of shades, and some come in black only. SureThik’s eight shades that layer together get far closer to your own color.

FAQs

Is hair fiber spray the same as hair fibers?

No. Hair fibers are the keratin strands that create the coverage. A hair fiber spray is either an aerosol that sprays those fibers on for you, or a holding spray that sets fibers already in place.

Is hair fiber spray safe?

SureThik Hair Fiber Holding Spray is water-based and alcohol-free. It holds separately applied fibers in place. Spray-on hair fibers add coverage themselves, but some formulas contain propellants and alcohol, which can dry out hair or irritate a sensitive scalp. Follow the directions and stop using any product if irritation occurs.

Does hair fiber spray work on a bald spot?

Hair fiber spray only works on a bald spot  if there is hair left in it. Fibers of any kind cling to hair rather than to skin, so a fully bald patch has nothing for them to hold onto.

How much hair fiber holding spray should you use?

A few sprays across the area is enough. More does not hold better, and a heavy application is what leaves the area feeling stiff.

Can you brush your hair after using hair fiber holding spray?

Yes, you can brush your hair within the first 10 to 15 seconds after applying an alcohol-free spray. After that, it has set, and gently brushing works against the hold rather than blending it. Our guide to brushing hair fibers covers the technique.

Does holding spray make fibers harder to wash out?

No, it comes out with the fibers in the same wash, though a heavy application can mean shampooing twice. Our guide to removing hair fibers covers the routine.