Hair Transplants with Scalp Micro-Pigmentation (with Photos)
This is a hair transplant patient who wanted his hair thicker, but had depleted his donor supply so that more transplants would not be productive. Many doctors would try still another procedure, but this was not my approach. Instead, I put pigment into the areas where he wanted more thickness. He loved the results of his transplants for his Norwood class 6 pattern and over the years he received a total of 6,905 grafts for that pattern, but as with many patients who have advanced hair loss, the supply did not eventually sustain the demand for hair.
With the addition of scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) to augment the fullness, he felt that the results were exceptional. After his first SMP session he used a hat, but slowly and cautiously he showed off his shorn scalp to his friends without creating much fanfare. In a social setting, his friends saw the new look and all he got was compliments on how good he looked with his new hairstyle.
The first photo (left) is of the patient’s hairline after all of his transplant work (last procedure was almost 4 years ago); The next photo (middle) is immediately after shaving his head; The last photo (right) is 2 weeks after his first SMP session. Click the photos to enlarge:
He came in for his second touch-up SMP procedure, but this time we went a little denser with the pigment. The key in the plan I put together was that the SMP would be placed in behind the leading frontal hairline that we created with transplants so that he could let his hair grow out whenever he wished. As the interval between the first and second procedure was 2 weeks, he let his hair grow out over that time to sense what it would look like when he let it grow out long. He could not have been more pleased with the result! I’ll post some photos of the results in the coming weeks.
Since my post from last week, I have come under fire on some forums and even on this site for changing my stance on scalp pigmentation (from being somewhat negative in past posts to my current enthusiasm). Really, the change in my view reflected a better command on the art, something that I hadn’t previously seen when I made my earlier comments about the tattoos that I saw in my office over the years. I realize now that I should’ve been more open-minded to possible advancements.
Nothing is perfect in this world. This patient would have rather gone the transplant route or have taken a magic pill that would get him his hair back, but it was not a reasonable option for him… so as a second best option, SMP more than met his goals. Now I must note that due to his nearly 7000 grafts that were transplanted, he does have a linear scar in the back of the head. We’re still working with him to cover it with SMP and will post resulting photos soon.
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Update Mar 8, 2011: More photos here!
Dr. Rassman,
Did NHI perform his original transplants or simply give him this Tatoo procedure?
Thanks
Both. His first surgery was so long ago and I’m trying to dig up some photos from way back then (before we went digital).
Dr. Rassman,
This is a breakthrough for those of us that could use more donor area and are waiting on Acell to pan out for autocloning.
Might you post this as it moves along? one month, two months, etc. This could be a huge intermittent step for us.
this is cool, an additional option for people with hair fall problems… did you have any lady patients who had chosen this choice?
I can understand your enthusiasm Dr.Rassman. I can also imagine that the scalp pigmentation tattoo would reduce the contrast between hair and skin significantly. But what would happen when the patient started graying? Would the tattoo become obvious?
Don’t want to sound like a smartas®s Dr Rassman but it would be very interesting to have a control picture with these. (one picture before and immediately after procedure) Somehow gives a better impression on effectiveness. But I am pretty sure you will give us more updates in the course of the next few months.
I am not a big fan of MP on a completely bald scalp and ESPECIALLY at the hairline, but in combination with FUE and placed at the centre of the head: It certainly has potentials.
Thanks to you and your patients for sharing the information with us!
Best to you and your family!
Are you actually doing the SMP procedures yourself or do you have a special person on staff now for that?