Did You Trademark the Term “Scalp MicroPigmentation”?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I know you have a scalpmicropigmentation.com site, but I saw other companies and websites on the Internet using SMP with a trademark sign or a registered sign. Did you invent SMP or are you using SMP without permission?

The technique of micropigmenting the scalp has been around for many years, but it has not been widely referred to as “Scalp MicroPigmentation” until a few years ago (since 2010). When we first entered the pigmentation market back in 2010, we tried to come up with various names for the process, such as scalp tattooing and scalp micro tattoo. Dr. Pak came up with the term “Scalp MicroPigmentation” in early 2011, which we abbreviated to SMP. We figured it was a good, catchy term and built our marketing based on this new naming.

We even hired a lawyer to file a U.S. Trademark with the Patent office, but the SMP trademark was rejected on the basis that it was a common descriptive term that was abbreviated. We do own the scalpmicropigmentation.com domain, but anyone can use the SMP terminology. Legally, you cannot place a trademark or registered sign after it. I realize other companies shamelessly do this, but that is false advertising and representation. It’s akin to putting a ™ or ® after the words “computer” or “automobile”. Anyone can use the the abbreviation “SMP” and it is not a brand.

In the end, we are happy that the terminology of “SMP” and “Scalp MicroPigmentation” caught on. If anything, it gives us passive exposure for the small investment we made on purchasing the domain name.

Tags: smp, scalp micropigment, scalp micro pigmentation, trademark

Can I Use Body Hair and SMP to Give it a Textured Look?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /, ,

Hi Doc

Love your website please keep up the good work it is very much appreciated. I have been reading your website extensively and understand the difficulties with transplanting body hair ie arms, legs, chest on to the scalp different rate of growth etc. However would it be possible in the following scenario:

I usually have my hair shaved ie blade 0 or 1, thankfully I have one of those heads that look better shaved rather then with hair! I am 33 years old with black hair Norwood class 4 I am loosing may hair slowly but its not apparent yet.

Now with the combination of SMP to give it that shadow look and transplanted hair from chest, arms to give it ‘texture’ as the hair will always be blade 1. In this scenario would it be possible to use body hair combined with SMP?

Thanks Doc

We have been using FUE grafts for added texture on a person like you who gets Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP). However, we use scalp hair… not body hair. Body hair transplant success rates are variable and the texture is not the same. If you are going for the “stubble” look, scalp hair will give you a better texture.

That said, we’ve found that after having the SMP done to the full head, most people usually realize that having a hair transplant to get the “stubble” texture is not an issue (as they once thought).

Tags: smp, pigment, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss

Hair Loss After a Blow to the Head

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Doc.. had a slight blow to the head above my hairline where I’m experiencing some loss. Area is tender.. minor swelling so far. How hard a hit would one have to take to cause or aggravate hair loss?

Thanks

Hair loss generally returns in up to 8 months if it is a discrete spot. If you are talking about general hair loss, I don’t know what is happening to you. A blow to the head can not be quantified by me from the information you supplied in your post.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

I Had a Bad Transplant 3 Years Ago, Which Left Me With Scarring and Plugs

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I had bad hair transplant surgery 3 years ago and its bad looking. I made it in the front hair line with 1 to 1.5 cm width. it consists of plugs and scarring that make the skin bad looking, elevated and thickened. please tell me how to remove this. many thanks

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely remove the scarring from a bad hair transplant, but there may be options to make it “better”. It’s imperative that you do your own research. You need to first find another hair transplant doctor (one you can trust), then consider another surgery if it is recommended. In the end, it will likely end up costing you more money and time, but hopefully you’ll find yourself satisfied with the end result. Plugs are not the industry standard (and have not been for many years), so to have a surgery like that done just a few years ago is troubling.

For transplant surgery repair, each case is unique and there’s no single solution I can provide without examining your scalp and knowing more about your situation. If you live in the Los Angeles area or are planning a visit this way, you can give my office a call at (310) 553-9113 to schedule a private consultation or come to one of our monthly open house events. These events are free to attend and provide attendees with the opportunity to meet patients that had restoration done.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, hair transplant, hair transplant repair

I’m a Female Teenager That Gets Bullied for Having a Large Forehead

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /,

(female)
Hi,
I’m 14 and have a huge forehead, I’m not sure if my hair line is too far back but I’m really self conscious about it. I get bullied in school and it hurts! What would you suggest to help?

At 14 years old, you should discuss your issue with your parents. For some people it is normal to have a high forehead (if you indeed have one). There is nothing wrong with this, though I’d suggest perhaps there is something wrong with your peers.

There are hairline lowering surgeries, but that would require your parent’s approval and significant research on your part.

Tags: forehead, hairline, hairline lowering

I’m Losing Scalp Hair and Eyelashes After I Stopped Being Bulimic

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

(female)
I suffered from eating disorders for almost 2yrs & then i managed to cut back on bulimia over a period of a few months & then i stopped all together. About 2 months after I stopped I started losing my hair. I’ve been losing it for almost 7 months now & have been losing eyelashes for about 3 months.

I would like to know whether this is because of bulimia even though throughout the period of months while I was stopping, I ate a fairly balanced diet & i eat a balanced diet now. Also if it is due to it, how long will it take before my hair stops falling out? And if it isnt, what is it due to? I’m 15 so it isnt age or anything.

Please help, thank you.

Bulimia is known to cause telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss. You need to get nutritional control of your situation and get managed by a good doctor who can follow your hair loss with objective measurement. It could take up to a year to see regrowth.

Tags: bulimia, telogen effluvium, hairloss, hair loss

Do You Examine for Hair Loss When the Hair is Wet or Dry?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

When judging a persons hair loss, do you look at the hair when it is wet or dry or both? I find my hair looks thinner when it is wet or gel has been applied. When it is dry it looks thicker, that is why I like to you use hair spray because it makes my hair thicker. And yes, i am thinning in the front of my scalp

Well, if your hair is wet, it is pretty obvious that your hair will look thinner. Same goes for if your hair is cut short or under harsh lighting.

We check for miniaturization of the hair. It is ideal to have your hair dry without any styling product on it. We also examine the pattern of hair loss (for MPB). Wet or dry you will see a pattern. I suppose you can see the pattern more if the hair is wet and short.

Develop a Master Plan with your doctor, laying out what will happen to you over time (best and worst case scenarios). There are many options, so why not lay them all out in front of you?

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, dry hair, wet hair

I’m Trying Everything and My Hair Loss Is Only Getting Worse!

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

I am 21. I have been using propecia, minoxidil and solution B since I was 17, as well as nisim shampoo as of recently. I feel like it’s only getting worse. I exercise a fair amount and eat healthy. Why am I not getting better?

Men’s genetic hair loss is what it implies: GENETIC. Drugs may help, but eventually the genetic predisposition will win out. Not everyone will see the same benefits from medication, unfortunately.

How bald are you becoming? What class of hair loss are you heading to? A Master Plan is important for if you are heading to a Norwood class 7 balding pattern (your option are very limited) or if you are losing just the frontal area and your balding pattern is not that far advanced (there are more options). Sit down with your doctor and lay out a plan with the various options you have before you.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

Does Hair Character Change During Puberty?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

My hair used to be very straight and very similar to that of my fathers, but then when i went through puberty it seemed to get curlier and curlier, and no one in my family has curly hair. Do the characteristics of hair change in some people during puberty? If so, it is in any way linked to the growth of facial and body hair that also occurs during that time?

I suppose the hair character can be a genetic trait that can change with puberty or change as your hormones change. You often see hair color change in babies — blond hair to brown hair, for example.

Tags: hair character, hair color

Dramatic Hair Loss After Heart Bypass Surgery

/by William Rassman, M.D./4 /

Since I had heart bypass surgery on the 21st December 2012, I noticed after a few months I was starting thin at the hairline area, since then it has continued to thin to a point it is completely see through at the hairline and top of head. No one in our family has gone bald, sure they have thinned a little as they get older but still have masses of hair even in to there eighties.

I’m on new medication since the bypass, 80mg Atorvastatin, 5mg Bisoporol Fumarate, 10mg Ramipril, 500mg Metformin, 267mg Fenofibrate and 75mg Aspirin.

I understand a major operation or financial stress or physical stress (unfortunately I still have severe angina many times a day) or medications (almost all of the medications list hair loss as a possible rare side effect) can potentially cause hair loss.

My Doctor is not taking it seriously and does little to help, but for me I can deal with potentially another heart bypass if that is needed but going bald is unacceptable. I would not be able to function socially and now rarely go out. I am 53 by the way and type 2 diabetic. Any advise would be most appreciated

HeartMajor surgeries, illness, or stress on your body can cause hair loss. In general, it may take up to one year to regain some of the hairs.

I realize hair loss can be a devastating to many people, but in your case, you had a major heart surgery and you are alive. Without the surgery you could be dead. I would have some perspective.

There are many things you can do for thinning hair. There are medical and surgical treatments available. If your doctor isn’t taking it seriously, find another doctor that specializes in treating hair loss. But if your loss isn’t due to genetic causes and this is a temporary loss brought on from surgical stress, the best thing to do is have patience.

Tags: heart bypass, hairloss, hair loss, cardiac

The Sides of My Head Are Thinning

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

dear doc, what could possibly be a cause for my rapid thinning of hair on the side of my head? In fact, its the first place to thin.

Isn’t the sides supposed to be MPB resistant? what i mean by side is the entire area above the ears and above sideburns. Please help! thanks in advance

You are correct that the sides of the head (above the ears) should not be affected by male pattern baldness (MPB), but I do not know what you are experiencing. Unfortunately, I can’t just diagnose someone’s hair loss cause based on a couple sentence description. It could be an allergy, infection, or disease. I would see a doctor to have an examination and get a diagnosis.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss

Is There Any Benefit from Homemade Hair Loss Remedies?

/by William Rassman, M.D./0 /

Hello Dr. Rassman,

I am writing to you from Turkey. As you know, in the eastern traditions and to a certain degree in the western traditions, homemade hair loss remedies such as oils, onion juice, vinegars etc. are used. Although it is clear that all these are not based on scientific grounds, is there any beneficent aspect of these?

Thank you

Short answer — no. If these home “remedies” had any truth to them, you wouldn’t see too many balding men. Smearing your scalp with onions, vinegar, oils, lotions and potions are not going to regrow your hair.

Tags: home remedies, hairloss, hair loss

What Kind of Stress Can Trigger Hair Loss?

/by William Rassman, M.D./1 /

Two questions.

1. I know that stress can cause or “jump start” hair loss. But is it like normal girlfriend left me stress or only extreme stress over prolonged periods of time?

2. When you say there’s about a 51 percent chance of inheriting mpb from your mother’s side and 49 percent from your father, does it mean your mother’s father and only your father, with some variation or is it the entire side of the family with some variation? Or is it far far more complex?

1. I would say extreme stress would be more likely to cause hair loss, though the amount of stress different people can handle will vary. Medical illness is also a stress, and some will even see hair loss following sickness. Most people who have stress induced hair loss will have some genetic factors that are present, though that isn’t always the case.

2. The majority of hair loss cases are from genetic causes. I have seen it coming from both sides of the family. Many young men, particularly with early advanced hair loss, can identify someone in their family that told them of the connections. Fathers, in particular, identify with their sons if they have MPB.

Tags: hairloss, hair loss, stress

I’m Feeling More Scalp Sensation In the Recipient Area Months After Surgery

/by William Rassman, M.D./2 /,

i had a hair transplant about 3 months ago. is it normal to feel a sensation when you had goose bumps especially on your scalp (recipient area)? as if you could feel that the hairs are erected? i didnt feel this prior to my surgery at all. thank you doctor.

I’m not sure what you may be experiencing. If you have hair in a spot you never had hair prior to surgery, maybe you’re feeling your small nerves recovering from the surgery. Ask your doctor to examine you and give you a better assessment.

Tags: hair transplant, nerves, hairloss, hair loss