Scalp MicroPigmentation Allergy Risk?

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

Is there any risk of allergic response to the pigments?

I have had increasing allergic responses to a number of medications and foods over the past few years (hives). It would be catastrophic to have a whole scalp covered with this and then find out it triggers a hive response.

There is a risk of allergies to the pigments, which contain metal oxides. While generally rare, the most common allergy is to these metals. All patients are skin tested to the dyes prior to starting the full process, but this only covers short term detectable allergies.

According to BMEzine:

    “It should be noted that allergies can develop over time with exposure (which is why there are more rice allergies in Asia than North America; but those allergies don’t start occurring until fifty or so), and that they may not show up until years later (when the allergy develops).

    – snip –

    While you could get spot tests done in theory with tattoo ink, this is virtually unheard of and in my opinion not entirely viable, and there is no readily available way to know in advance whether you will have such a reaction. Thankfully they are quite rare.“

Tags: smp, scalp micropigmentation, allergy

Some People Prefer the Stubble Look with Real Hair (with Photos)

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

I believe Dr. Rassman I can shed some light on a recent post. You have answered the question many times in regards to BHT and short cut hair. I agree that it does seem somewhat pointless to shave ones head after recieving a hair transpant however I do understand the logic behind it. With a short cropped haircut (even a #1 clipper shave) you can still see a visible hair line that defines the face much like the tattooing service you are now offering. With a completely shaved head it is not visible.

Many people such as myself would prefer real hair on their head rather than ink although I must admit that the results do look pretty good. None the less body hair is different than scalp but cut short can offer a more realistic illusion of stubble that in this day and age appears acceptable if not attractive. Counter argument it is very expensive for just stubble. Agree?

Why would you bother with body hair transplants (BHT) when you can use your scalp hair? Body hair tends to be texturally different. If you truly want a stubble look with real hair, using Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) with scalp hair extracted with FUE is a good way to accomplish this. On the flip side, patients who’ve had a hair transplant and want the closely cropped look would already have stubble, so SMP is a great option to add the appearance of fullness.

Here’s an FUE patient who had very little restoration work done — under 600 grafts to the front corners — and later decided to shave his head. On the top of his head, the hair is miniaturized so it appears thin and lighter in the picture. The following result shown is immediately after the first SMP session. This will fade slightly as the color sets and the client will return in 3 to 4 days for a touch-up. (Note that because the photo was taken immediately after the SMP session, you can still see some initial redness.)

Before SMP on left; After SMP on right. Click photos to enlarge:

 

Tags: smp, scalp micro-pigmentation, pigment, tattoo, bht, body hair, fue, hairloss, hair loss, hair transplant

SMP for a Severely Thinning Crown

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

Can people crop their hair, get this procedure and grow out their hair again? How would a severely thinning crown with hair grown out look if SMP has been performed on it?

There is a line where the SMP (Scalp MicroPigmentation) process can not substitute for a hair transplant. We have tried it on one severely thinning head of hair and it didn’t work well, even with low contrast between hair and skin color.

There must be enough hair to work with SMP. This can be imagined well if you think about using the camouflaging agent Toppik on a slick bald head. Toppik alone will not accomplish what it can do with real hair present. In the determination of this, you need to get a real expert to assess your goals and what can be achieved with SMP in combination with a hair transplant.

Tags: smp, pigmentation, pigment, hairloss, hair loss, crown

Using SMP to Create More Fullness in Transplanted Patient (with Photos)

/by William Rassman, M.D./8 /, ,

This patient received 1260 grafts in 1998, but over the years he continued to thin in the front and top of his head. He came in last month for Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) in hopes of adding fullness to the area immediately behind the frontal hairline. The results are spectacular and he avoided another surgery as a result.

The use of SMP for patients who were previously transplanted to create the illusion of fullness in areas where there is existing hair is nicely demonstrated with this patient. Click the photos to enlarge.

AFTER SMP:

 

BEFORE SMP:

 

Tags: scalp micro-pigmentation, smp, hair transplant, pigmentation, pigment

Scarring Alopecia and SMP?

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

I’m an African-American man, I have scarring aolpecia, especially on my crown. Will this Scalp Micro-Pigmentation (SMP) work work me?

In all likelihood, you would be a great candidate for Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP), because hair transplantation is definitely not an option for men with scarring alopecia. SMP is also great for people with alopecia areata or alopecia totalis.

See here for FAQ and more information about SMP.

Tags: scalp micropigmentation, smp, alopecia areata

Easiest Color for SMP?

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

Hey Dr. Rassman,

Is it easier to treat a scalp with micropigmentation if the hair is black?

There is no color that is easier to apply than another. Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) does tend to look better on darker (black, brown, olive) skinned men with darker hair (black or brown), as the contrast difference between hair and skin color is lower than if the skin was white.

Men with red hair or blond hair still have grey follicles that you see when they shave their beard and scalp hair.

For more information see our SMP FAQ.

Tags: scalp micro-pigmentation, smp, hairloss, hair loss

How Can I Eliminate My Linear Transplant Scar?

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

Hello Doctor,

After 2 hair transplants of 1000 grafts and then 1800 grafts, I think investing 30-45mins every morning to gel and blow dry my hair and still be worried about wind speeds outside is probably not normal. My hair loss was rated at 5A/6.

Long story short, I am thinking of shaving my head but am concerned about the big scar left on the back of my head from the 2 surgeries. Can you please let me know the options I have to reduce/eliminate this scar?

Thank you for your time and your teams contribution to this blog.

There’s no way to completely eliminate all donor scarring. You can’t undo a transplant. You might be able to have a scar revision, but even then there will still be visible scarring to some degree.

There is a way to camouflage the scar, as long as you didn’t mind keeping a very closely-cropped hairstyle. At New Hair Institute we have been addressing hair transplant linear scars with Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) (see example). For more information about SMP please visit scalpmicropigmentation.com.

Tags: pigment, smp, scarring

Using SMP to Fill in the White FUE Dots?

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

Hello Doctor

Do you believe that with the advent of scalp micro-pigmentation, it is now feasible for transplants in younger patients / more aggressive transplants in general?

A patient could have a transplant to frame the face with a NW2 or so look, and if they cannot keep up with hair loss via meds + additional transplants, they may have the SMP procedure, (with the option of some hair transplanted to the regions), in order to obtain the close-cut stubble look.

Additionally, has there been any attempts to fill in the “white dot” scarring from FUE procedures?

The answer is yes on all accounts. Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) works wonderfully in filling in the white dots from FUE harvesting. Combining SMP and transplants must be made individually by a person skilled in the art.

Tags: fue, smp, pigment, hair transplant

Will Minoxidil Cause SMP to Fade Quicker or Blur?

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

Dr. Rassman,

I am really interested in the new SMP procedure that NHI is offering.

My question is as follows: What effect, if any, will use of Rogaine Foam on the SMP treated areas have on the long-term viability of the ink (i.e., would it cause the ink to fade quicker or run together)?

Thanks in advance for your time spent answering this question.

I do not believe that minoxidil will have any effect on the pigment that is placed into the scalp, but no study has ever been done to confirm my suspicions.

Tags: minoxidil, rogaine, tattoo, pigment, scalp micropigmentation, scalp micro-pigmentation

Can SMP Be a Permanent Concealer?

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

Here’s two similar questions from two different readers:

I know scalp pigmentation is great for people with short cropped hair but my hair is about 1.5″-2″ long. Can scalp pigmentation of the crown play the same role as concealers like Toppik and DermMatch in people with my kind of hair?

Would SMP procedure on the thin areas of a scalp, covered up by some of the balding hair, serve as a sort of permanent hairloss concealer or at least aid in the cover up of hair loss? Has anyone tried this, any pictures ?
Thanks for your time!

Scalp MicroPigmentatation (SMP) is a great way to decrease the contrast between your scalp color and hair color, giving an illusion of fullness. So yes, you can think of SMP as a “permanent” cosmetic concealer… but with SMP, you won’t have to worry if your scalp is showing from an uneven application. Another added bonus is that unlike with some cosmetic concealers (like Toppik or DermMatch), SMP doesn’t run the risk of leaving a stain on your clothing, pillow, or on your significant other’s fingertips.

For further reading, see the SMP FAQ and female patient example (longer hair).

Tags: smp, pigment, pigmentation, scalp micro-pigmentation, hair loss, hairloss, concealer

FUE for the Front, SMP for the Back

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

Dr. Rassman,

With the advent of the Scalp Micro-pigmentation procedure, I’m wondering if it actually allows for more FUE harvesting from the donor area. What I mean to say is that one could only have a certain level of FUE grafting before you depleted the donor and left noticable empty spot in the back of the head.

I’m now wondering (if one so chose to)if you can in theory remove more grafts of real hair and simply fill-in the depleted donor area? This of course is assuming the patient wanted a low-cropped/shaved hair style. However, I’m not crazy about the shiny razor-shaved look. I prefer some natural looking stubble on top.

I understand you may think grafting hair on top of your head and shaving it might defeat the purpose, but that’s the look I like. Thanks for your time.

We have had one patient get follicular unit extraction (FUE) on top of the pigmented balding scalp to produce the feeling and appearance of stubble. It works.

You indicated you aren’t far from our Los Angeles office, so if you’re interested in setting up an appointment for a consultation, you can call our office at 310-553-9113… or attend one of our free monthly open house events. The next open house is coming up on Saturday, April 9th.

Tags: fue, smp, scalp micropigmentation, follicular unit extraction, hairloss, hair loss, pigment

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) for Scar Camouflage (with Photos)

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

This patient came into the office with a widened scar from a hair transplant we did over a year ago. The photo at the lower left is following his second transplant procedure (the first was with another doctor). The widened scar risk increases with each additional procedure. Only the central 2 1/2 inch portion of the wound stretched 1cm (as seen here), while the two 1/2 inch wounds on either side didn’t stretch. Donor scarring is a real risk of strip harvesting for FUT but usually the scar is under 3mm in width. After the second surgery, the scar may widen as in this man.

We suggested scalp micropigmentation (SMP) for camouflaging the scar and these photos below were taken 10 minutes after his SMP session was done. This is a typical scar treatment for SMP. Sometimes a second treatment is needed. Click the photos to enlarge.

BEFORE SMP (on left); IMMEDIATELY AFTER SMP (on right):

 

Tags: scalp micro-pigmentation, smp, hair transplant, scarring, pigmentation, pigment

Doesn’t the Scalp Still Shine with SMP?

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

Hey Dr Rassman. i hope your day is treating you well. As i am a frequent reader of this ever informative blog of yours a few questions have sparked my interest over the last week. It is in regard to the new micro pigmentation service NHI is offering. Now in the past i have noticed you were quite the skeptic about this type of procedure. I recall reading a few comments made by yourself which made me think they were: wouldn’t the scalp still shine? The lack of a ”sandpaper feel due to there being no actual stubble on the scalp and hair is 3 dimensional a tattoo is not.

However I was doing some thinking and this came to mind. If a patient were to come and request to have as many grafts that their doner supply would allow then have the tattooing procedure done in between those grafts and also had the scar camouflaged in the back of the scalp wouldn’t it be nearly impossible to tell the persons head of hair from a non balding person ? It would eliminate all of those issues i previously mentioned. Like for those individuals with high donor densities if someone had 10,000 grafts placed on their scalp then had the micro pigmentation procedure done i would think they would be able to get close to their juvenile hairline back and they would also be able to grow their hair out to probably a number 1 clipper with out it looking to odd. What are your thoughts on this ?

as I presently support the shaved head look but my hairloss is progressing i like the look i would just like more coverage. I have been on finasteride for 3 years when i first started it i was 20 and an early norwood three now my hair is really thin through out the top half of my scalp. I totally anticipate being completely bald by the time im 25 whether im on the medication or not.

HeadlubeYour scalp can shine with the oil that your scalp produces, so scalp micropigmentation (SMP) patients often use matting products available at cosmetic stores. There’s various brands of shine control lotions for the scalp, including HeadLube.

SMP has a use with some negatives and some positives. There is a natural symbiosis between hair transplants and SMP in some individuals. SMP is far less expensive than hair transplants, but you can not have it both ways (SMP in part with a limited hair transplant) unless the Master Plan takes into account what is happening to you now and later. There is a balance between SMP and hair transplants, but I can not give you an opinion over the internet.

It sounds like you need a Master Plan (I know I talk about that a lot), because you are changing with regard to your hair loss. Whatever you do, it should fit into the life plan; if you do go really bald, you’ll want to have a plan for what you’ll look like in the future if you make decisions about today’s problem. Come see me.

Tags: scalp, shine, smp, pigmentation, hair transplant

Could SMP Damage Previously Transplanted Hair?

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

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I am interested in your new SMP process. I have had approximately 3000 grafts in the past and am running low on donor area.

My question is, will the SMP damage the hair that I have already had transplanted? The purpose of SMP in my case is to make the hair look thicker when it grows out.

The SMP (scalp micropigmentation) process works really well for this problem (low on donor hair), provided that you have enough hair to take advantage of the reduced contrast between scalp and skin color. SMP will not damage the previous hair transplants or any naturally growing hair that is present.

Tags: scalp micro-pigmentation, micropigment, hair transplant