Having SMP and Hair Transplants Done as a Combo?

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


Thanks for the amazing blog, doctor(s). I believe it literally saves people’s lives.

You’ve briefly mentioned previously that some people haven chosen to get FUT transplants, buzz their hair short, and get SMP, but I was wondering, why don’t more men who have gotten transplants but suffer from the “see through” look get SMP to help combat this issue? Does this SMP+HT combo idea work, aesthetically?

Look at our SMP site and you will see that this technique is a great adjunct to a hair transplant, properly timed of course. We are doing more and more of these every day.

Tags: smp, scalp micropigmentation, hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss

Big Problem – Unfinished Hair Transplant Work

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

When it comes to hair transplants, some people don’t always finish what they start — perhaps due to money issues or just not wanting to go that route ever again because of disappointment in the results, failures of the surgery, or severe pain with the surgery. The pain and costs of more surgeries is a real turn-off for many of these people, but times have changed. Surgery is rarely painful, prices have come down, the results are not detectable as being any different from your natural hair, and alternatives are available… so exploring the sum of today’s options may be worthwhile.

Patients with an unfinished hair transplant hasn’t really been a problem in our practice, because we get personal with all of our patients and get to understand their goals, never promising them a rose garden, but setting up realistic expectations with regards to how many surgeries they will need to hit their targeted goals. In the old days (1980s) one rarely saw a finished hair transplant patient and few, if any, looked normal. I ran a large hair transplant practice in 1989-90 (before founding the New Hair Institute) and I was amazed that I never really saw a finished job while I worked there. Today, that is not the case as many completed hair transplants are undetectable.

If you are one of those individuals who did not finish their hair transplant work to meet their expectations and still look like an unfinished piece of poorly done art, I would suggest that you look at the Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) process as a surgical alternative for thickening. This could possibly be a way of thickening up the appearance of your hair transplant without having another hair transplant. SMP works to camouflage even some of the old type of plugs when done properly.

For many people, SMP can contribute to completing the process, but a consultation with us is critical to defining your needs and the ability to achieve your objectives at a reasonable cost.

Tags: hair transplant, hairloss, hair loss, pigment

Big Problem – Dealing with Unmanageable Scars

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

The pluggy hair transplants of the 1980s and 90s, and even the strip surgeries in the years following that, caused considerable scarring in some percentage of patients. Few of them complained unless their donor area was depleted from multiple surgeries so that long hair would not cover it. Even today, scars from follicular unit extraction (FUE) are causing problems for some patients who have had donor area depletion. I’ve seen a few men for consultations recently that have shown a see-through appearance at the back of their heads, asking us what they could do to help make this less noticeable, and prompting me to write this post.

The best solution for unmanageable scars was introduced by us in 2010 — Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) — and it can be effectively used to camouflage scars so that they can be made undetectable. Scars are more of a problem when patients have multiple surgeries, each surgery adding to the amount of scarring.

In the past, we have recommended scar revisions with variable success. Usually the scar would be reduced following the revision, but the biggest problem we found with this solution is in the patients who get poor scarring after strip surgery, get it because that is the way they heal. So when trying to repair it, we found limited value with occasional good results, but always leaving some level of detectable scar. There are people like me (three strip surgeries and no detectable scar) who heal very well, but there are some that aren’t as lucky. Treating these scars with SMP seems to always work regardless of the patients tendency to scar.

We’ve posted some outstanding results in the treatment of scars of all types and this is usually what happens to all patients, not the select few shown on this website.

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

Would SMP Today Prevent a Future Hair Transplant?

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

Hi Dr. Rassman –

I had a question about your SMP. So if I currently have a thinning head of hair (had a HT two years ago, but need a second) and I wanted to get SMP as a form of permanent Dermatch or Toppik, would you have to shave my head to do it? Or can you do the procedure without shaving?

Would having SMP done make it more difficult/prevent me from having a second HT in the future?

Thanks!

In some patients, we have been using Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) to thicken up the look of a thin transplant, thereby avoiding another transplant. This can be done without shaving the head, but it all depends on your current state of hair and your overall expectations. SMP wouldn’t prevent future surgery, though.

You should see a doctor with expertise in this area (like us) to find out if your proposed approach will work. This could be done with photo consultations with good, clear photos sent to us at the address on the Contact page.

Tags: hair transplant, smp, scalp micropigmentation, hair loss, hairloss

In the News – Infected Tattoo Ink Caused Rash

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

Snippet from the study abstract:

Between October and December 2011, a persistent, raised, erythematous rash in the tattoo area developed in 19 persons (13 men and 6 women) within 3 weeks after they received a tattoo from a single artist who used premixed gray ink; the highest occurrence of tattooing and rash onset was in November (accounting for 15 and 12 patients, respectively). The average age of the patients was 35 years (range, 18 to 48). Skin-biopsy specimens, obtained from 17 patients, showed abnormalities in all 17, with M. chelonae isolated from 14 and confirmed by means of DNA sequencing. PFGE analysis showed indistinguishable patterns in 11 clinical isolates and one of three unopened bottles of premixed ink. Eighteen of the 19 patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics, and their condition improved.

Read the full abstract — Outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae infection associated with tattoo ink

This topic interested us because of Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) and the use of pigments in our practice. What can you learn from this? A medical facility is critical for sterility and cleanliness, and the tattoo ink must be medical grade. We periodically culture our inks as a precaution for this problem.

Tags: tattoo, ink, sterile

Can You Do Temporary SMP First to See If I’ll Like It?

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

I am very interested in the SMP procedure but am hesitant to do anything permanent without knowing if I will like the end result or not.

Is there a temporary procedure available (temporary tattoo, photographic manipulation) where a patient can see what they may look like with SMP, and if they like the result, go ahead with the permanent procedure?

Thank you

We have monthly Open House events at our office in Los Angeles where you can see first hand how Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is done and also meet with patients face-to-face that have had SMP.

It is considered permanent, but SMP can often – but not always – be reversed with laser treatments (pigment removal). But you’ll probably not want to have SMP done with the plan to go through the laser treatments right afterwards. If you want a temporary SMP look, you can try cosmetic camouflaging products like Dermmatch or Toppik.

Tags: smp, scalp micropigmentation, pigment, temporary

SMP Result (with Photos)

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

This patient did not like his hairline and keeping his hair very, very short was a reasonable option for him. He achieved these results with Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) when he walked out of the office the same day he came in. Many patients play with their hair length until they find the right length for their new look, and once he clips his hair a little shorter the effect will be more complete.

The photos below show the story. The following results are with only ONE (1) SMP session – For better even coverage he will follow up for the second or third sessions. Click to enlarge.

 

Here’s a close-up shot of the SMP:

 

Tags: scalp micropigmentation, pigment, hairloss, hair loss, photos

My Plugs from the 1980s Look Ugly and I Don’t Want to Wear a Hairpiece Anymore to Hide Them

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

Iam 64 yrs old. I had transplants done in the early 80’s. Donor hairs from the back of my head to the front. In time the rest of my hair from the top fell out. The transplanted plugs looked ugly and I resorted to wearing a hair piece. I recently started to shave my head and I like it except for the scarring on the back of my head and the in front of my head where the plugs were inserted and hair grows. What can be done? The shaved look is really in style and I don’t want to go back to using a hair piece.

Your options are very limited, unfortunately. The plugs can possibly be removed, but you’ll still be left with scarring in that area and in the donor area at the back of your head.

Scalp Micropigmentation could be an option for covering the scars from old plugs. Many men with bad plugs and bad hair transplants have opted to shave their head and cover the scar with SMP, giving them the appearance of a closely cropped hairstyle. Each case is unique, but I doubt you’d be able to completely remove scalp scarring.

Tags: smp, pigment, hair plugs, repair

Is SMP Removable?

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

Hi,
Is SMP removable? The reason I am asking is, what happens if person turns grey-haired or hair’s color changes with the age?

Best Regards

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) can be removed with appropriate lasers, but otherwise it should be considered a permanent cosmetic procedure. If you’re looking for something temporary, consider Toppik or DermMatch.

We’ve answered similar questions about graying hair in the past — What Happens to the Scalp Micro-Pigmentation Once You Turn Gray? — but gray hair has not been a problem that we have seen. You can try a test area with us and see if it works for you and your hair color.

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

SMP Questions – Anesthesia, Aging, Hairlines

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

dr. rassman,

can general anesthesia be used for SMP procedure?

Does the pigment ever stretch as the patient ages, like how a tattoo on a 70 year old looks?

can the hairline be made to look natural, i have seen “his hair” procedures in which it looks like a line is drawn on the forhead instead of a natural shaved head look.

i can send you a couple photos of my balding, im 26 and have beeen since i was 18 but the past 2 years it seems to have slowed a lot. i do not take propecia, and do not want to.

i want a good smp procedure to give me back a symetrical face. Can smp go with a “number 1” buzz cut or is it used with a “no guard” buzz cut.

thanks

We offer local anesthesia for a pain free experience. We also offer light sedation, but we do not offer general anesthesia (where you are completely out).

The pigment, like all cosmetic pigment or tattoos, fade and spread over time. We have techniques to minimize this as much as possible. The length of hair you need for SMP varies from number 1 guard to a shave.

If you would like a photo consultation, you would need to email photos and call (800) NEW-HAIR to speak to me or Dr. Pak.

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

Since I Had Shock Loss Before from Hair Transplant, Would I Be Likely to Have it with SMP?

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

I have had several large hair transplant procedures. Subsequent to my last 2 hair transplant procedures I experienced a good deal of shockloss from existing hair which took months to grow back. I am interested in having SMP and was wondering, if because of my previous shockloss experiences from the last 2 hair transplants, would I be suseptible to shockloss from the SMP procedure?

Thank you

If you are considering Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), you would need to arrange a consultation with us. Shock loss after SMP is rare, but is a risk you should consider.

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

Can SMP Cause Shock Loss Like a Hair Transplant?

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

Does SMP scalp micropigmentation cause shock fallout or shedding, similar to the shedding that occurs after hair transplant procedure? Does the shock or trauma caused by SMP have any negative impact on thining hair? If it does, what area is likely to shed the most? Thank you.

Yes, there is always a risk of shock hair loss with SMP, but we have not seen any significant hair loss in our experience (I recall one female patient, but it was minimal). Most people who choose to have SMP are already balding and made the decision to shave their head. We are very selective on who we recommend SMP to.

With respect to long term effect on thinning hair, in my opinion SMP should not be a factor. People with thinning hair in the long term lose their hair — that is why they choose to have SMP or a hair transplant or take medication.

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

Could SMP Be Used for Beards?

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

Thanks for the great website and all the effort you and the rest of the team put to answer questions on a regular basis.

My question is regarding SMP. Could the same method be used to artificially create a stubble for men with patchy facial hair? I understand that it is a permanent look, but could the technique (or something similar) be used on the face?

Thanks again for your time.

I guess it sounds like a reasonable thing to do when small bald spots exist in a beard and the patient does not want hair transplants. But you’re going to limit yourself to always having the same facial hair length forever, or you’ll have tattooed spots on your face. Having said that we have done a small size spot (1cm) for a former patient.

Tags: scalp micropigmentation, facial hair, smp, tattoo, pigment, hairloss, hair loss

Is SMP Just Dots or Shading?

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

Is SMP for longer hair a different technique when doing it on people who keep their hair short. I have had many hair transplants so I have good coverage but not enough density. If I had SMP but elected to keep my hair longer would SMP consist of dots or shading?
Thank you

This is a very important question. Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), as we do it, mimics the shaved hair follicle as it emerges from the scalp, having no length. This is not a piece of art in the classic manner with shading and depth color. Some people want their scalp to become darker, so they use products like Toppik (a concealer) to darken the scalp and match their hair color. That is not what we do with SMP. For this reason, SMP has more limited application and it can not match the powders or concealers.

When used with longer hair, one can still see the scalp between the hair, and the tattoo impact from the SMP is not dramatic. For this reason, we want most people to get realistic expectations. We do not paint the scalp with tattoo dye — that is not SMP — but we do create a stippled appearance of the scalp skin between the existing hair follicles when we do it for people with longer hair.

Tags: pigment, smp, scalp micropigmentation

Could SMP Fill In My Donor Scarring?

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

I have had some extensive hair surgery done, and it looks quite good. Still I have some scars from the 90’s transplant days and thinning in the crown. Could some SMP be done to fill in just the scars and in-between the grafts for illusion purposes? I’m afraid if I shaved it completely, there is just too much extensive donar scarring from before. I’m afraid I might be stuck at the mercy of Topik or Couvre, but the mess really is a hassle. Thanks!

If you look at our SMP site, you will see examples of what you are asking about. Micropigmentation is not as good as Toppik for thickening up areas in the crown the way you described your present problem, but if I examined you, I might be able to tell you what benefit you could get. Without examining you, I can’t guess what will happen with the pigment in the crown area where you presently have hair.

Tags: scalp micropigment, hairloss, hair loss, pigments