Scalp Tattooing
I came across your post “Horror story with a happy ending” and I would like more details. I have had several surgeries beginning in the early 90s, from plug work to micrografts and FUE. Most of this was corrective work. Unfortunately it wasn’t particularly successful, and the distribution of hair is abnormal. Fortunately though my donor scar isn’t that bad, as I was careful with the scar revisions to minimize a bad outcome. I am left with approximately 1 scar from my last revision, where a trichophytic closure was used. It runs from ear to ear and varies in width from 2 mm to 8 in a few places. Overall, considering the number of surgeries I’ve had it’s remarkably good. I’d like to fill in the thin spots with the “stippling” type of tattoo you mentioned in your post. However I am very concerned with the discoloration over time. Can you provide contact information of the dermatologists who had the tattooing done, or some more information about it (eg. type of ink, who did it, etc.). I’d much rather put my faith in the hands of someone who has seen success with this than take chances on an unknown. FUE, etc aren’t really options for me at this point for filling in the scar.
Thanks
Although I don’t have any information about the tattooers of the patient you mentioned, from what I’ve seen, tattoos on the scalp and scars have turned green over time. While it may not occur every time, this is a real problem for the two patients that come to mind. For that reason, I would hold off doing the scalp tattoo for the time being unless you are sure that the color will last and this is what you want, as today’s tattoos are not reversible (laser removal is quite painful and may take many sessions to get a decent result).
A new product is coming sometime later this year that is reversible, so if you did not like it after getting it, then you can make it go away a lot easier. It doesn’t make the pain any less intense, though. For more general information, see InfinitInk from Freedom2, Inc.
I disagree with your experience with “green ” scalps after hair tattoing for buzz cuts. The reason for the green color is that vegetable-based cosmetic ink was used, not real tattoo ink. I own a high-end fine art tattooing and permanent cosmetics studio and have performed about 100 scalp tinting/shading procedures, all with gret success. The tattooing looks completed natural. Even for permanent cosmetics, we do not utilize the cosmetic inks. We constantly reverse “green and “blue” eyebrows caused by salons using the cometic ink.
How can you disagree with my experience with my patients? I saw what I saw. I clearly stated that it may not occur every time, but it did occur with the patients I saw (as referenced in the post above).
I am not disagreeing with what you saw. But you seem to be making a generalization on scalp tattooing as a hole without seeing procedures that were done by someone who actually knows what they are doing. That’s what my point is. You somewhat seem to be steering people away from this procedure all together, that’s all.
I have had both procedures done and have had great results with the combination of both.I had three transplants which left a noticeable scar when hair was cut short.After years of hiding it with spray on hair I decided to try scalp tattooing and I am completly happy with the results.I no longer have to worry about swimming or getting caught in the rain. My opinion is that HT clinics and cosmetic tattoo clinics should work together for the best outcome of the patient.
I’m thinking seriously about having a buzz cut and getting my scalp tattooed to mimic the appearance of short hair. There seem to be a few professional companies/clinics out there who specialize in this but they’re all more than a little cagey about how long it lasts. There seems to be a preference for using ‘semi-permanent’ inks (presumably so you have to spend out on having it touched up fairly regularly) rather than the ‘permanent’ inks used in real tattooing. Is there anyone out there who uses these permanent tattoo inks (which should last years just like body tattoos) and can they offer any assurance that they won’t turn green?
Two quick things- 1) Dr Rassman’s NHI clinic is now offering this scalp micropigmentation procedure that he initially claimed was a bad idea. He is still probably the most respected in the industry, but he did a complete 180. Money Talks?
2) Artistry Concepts is nothing more than a tattoo shop that is attempting to make big bucks by claiming they have a superior method with special needles and pigments. Their major marketing scheme is to slander other providers; not surprising that their first comment claims they repair other cosmetic makeup provider’s work. The fact that these idiots would try to argue with Dr Rassman shows their ignorance; Rassman is in a whole other league from you guys Artistry Concepts!!!!