The absolute truth (in opinion) about SMP

[hairtech]

This is my own methodical opinion...

Scalp Micro-Pigmentation (SMP) has come to the forefront in recent years. In short, it is a method of mimicking hair follicles by the use of a tattooing method on the scalp in or around a balding area. SMP is not simply a straight tattoo, but rather a more "refined" way of tattooing, hence the term "micro-pigmentation". Tiny dots are the best way to describe SMP.

Tattooing of the scalp is not a new subject. Ten years ago I remember when tattoo shops tried to do a "shading" of balding areas. Instead of dotting they created a typical tattoo with a dark color of ink. However this method failed miserably and created more issues than solutions to hair loss.

Now that SMP is more refined, there have been leaps and bounds in this method of hair restoration. Personally when I first heard about it I was very skeptical. Especially since I have been involved within hair restoration business for many years; someone is always trying to push something new. So naturally, it took sometime for me to decide that SMP was acceptable option in hair restoration. I visited SMP clinics first hand and visited with patients first hand.

There are many many different descriptions of SMP. In all of my research, I have found that there are clinics that have "created" a name for their SMP technique. I have found that some clinics shy away from the term "tattoo" in their definitions. Some clinics prefer the term non-permanent. Some clinics state that it is permanent. I have even found companies that do not even know the term SMP. However in the end... SMP is a type of tattoo.

Is SMP permanent? Well yes and no... depending on who you ask. However, there is a significant concept that needs to be addressed. A typical tattoo is permanent because of the depth or the layers within the "skin" it reaches. The deeper the more permanent. Many of SMP clinics claim that SMP is not supposed to be at a level that is as deep as a typical tattoo. In fact, among the different claims of SMP clinics, some state that there is a "maintenance" after a few years of the initial SMP. Some do not claim this at all.

There are risks involved in SMP. I personally have seen some botched jobs however even with the botched jobs, there is a way to sort of erase SMP by way of lasering... just as one would remove a tattoo. Some of the risks include the following: Unnatural look, quick fading, SMP not "taking", bluing of the scalp, bleeding together of the dots, scarring because of an underlying disease, and of course pain. These problems can be associated to skill level of clinic, inks used during SMP, or even the physiological aspects of the person receiving the SMP.

Personally I have seen some amazing results in SMP by itself and combined with the use of other hair restorations. And finally I have to mention that SMP has really changed peoples lives. Some of the older methods of hair restoration has scarred people for life... until SMP came around.


These are my opinions however I hope many ghost readers read this and do their research.



Below is an old school tattoo apparatus.

 

[Young Guy]

I agree your posts are informative and well-written.

But after reading them, I always get the same feeling. The feeling that we shouldn't do anything, that every hair restoration is very dangerous and about no one is a candidate for anything. "Look, donor shockloss even with FUE!" "Fragility of grafts... ... especially with FUE!" "Look, scalp hairs really are not suitable for hair transplants!"

Now it's about SMP, I look forward to your posts explaining why pilofocus scarless surgery is evil. It's getting quite tiresome, just tell us that any procedure we might try to fix our hair loss will screw us up for life, then it will be clear.

 

[hairtech]

Finally someone reads things and comes forward.

 

[Sparky]

I agree with you Fred, no one is a candidate for any of this stuff.

 

[chrisnicolas]

I would honestly disagree with the fact that " no one is a candidate for these treatments I think the element of personal experience is valid here and the general integrity of these procedure can not be judged on a non experiential opinion.

I have been bald for over ten years hidden behind a cap always scared to take it off etc, crazy but true.

I had the msp treatment done at Vinci hair clinic in London and it has changed my life completely, from the moment I went in there to the moment I left and after I was looked after with professionalism and empathy for my trauma. I would advise anyone to have the treatment it's right for them.

I obviously have my own concerns as any reasonably individual done , it is a cosmetic treatment not new hair we have to accept that.

I have just moved to miami and I was concerned and am concerned about fading, the shine of the head when in strong sunlight how to protect it etc so I would be greatful for some advice myself. However I think for me its still worth it against how my life was before.

 

[topccat29]

Chris please post very clear oversized pictures of your result.

 

[bullitnut]

Welcome to the forum Chris, it's good to hear your happy with your SMP and have found peace with your hairloss situation dude.
How bald were you before, when did you have your SMP and how many sessions did you have? Pictures would be awesome if you have any.
sorry for all the questions dude

 

[Dr Arvind]

---------------------------
Is SMP permanent? Well yes and no... depending on who you ask. However, there is a significant concept that needs to be addressed. A typical tattoo is permanent because of the depth or the layers within the "skin" it reaches. The deeper the more permanent. Many of SMP clinics claim that SMP is not supposed to be at a level that is as deep as a typical tattoo.
----------------------------------------

I have stated this before and repeat - The depth at which the pigment is delivered can not have an effect on its dissappearance. If the pigment was to be delivered in the upper layers of epidermis (stratum corneum), it would get sloughed off very soon - couple of weeks at most, no matter what.
If it is delivered below that level, it can not disapppear.
If the pigment disappears over time, the reason can not be the depth at which it is injected. This needs to be studied scientifically with conclusive proofs.

Following is a link to understand the structure of the human skin.


Skin layers

I have come across patients with tattoos (old fashioned shading effect as well as new dot/smp effect). These can create problems later in life due to change in color of the pigment/ the hair and many other things besides.

Therefore, I am intrigued by the concept of smp that disappears with time but I have yet to find a conclusive study or reason as to why it does so.
What do I tell my patient - "that it will disappear because it is placed at too shallow a level", when I do not believe that myself?

I am not against smp, especially the one that disappears, but I do think there is need of more in depth research here.

Regards,
Dr. A

 

[baldasabadger10]

Interesting post and some good points raised, have you ever thought about conducting a study Dr Arvind?

 

[chrisnicolas]

Thanks I had about 3 sessions at Vinci hair clinic in London. for me it was very important that I had a subtle finish, imperceptible or there abouts.
Here is my before pictures..

 

[chrisnicolas]

Picture two

 

[chrisnicolas]

Pic 3

 

[chrisnicolas]

Image 2

 

[chrisnicolas]

Image 2

 

[chrisnicolas]

Image 3

 

[chrisnicolas]

Image 4

 

[chrisnicolas]

Last one let me know your thoughts

 

[mg42]

Looks realistic. Permanent ink?
Do you razor shave on a daily basis?

 

[bullitnut]

Looks really good Chris thanks for the pictures.So much better than your bald head in my opinion.

 

[salvar]

SMP is definitely a good option for some people but bear in mind that its a relatively new procedures, there are no many clinics and technicians that have been doing this for years and especially now since it got more popular we are seeing some very poor applications but that doesnt mean that MSP is bad, its only the clinics\practitioner that doesnt know what he is doing. Think back 15-20 years, if you would look at hair transplants then you probably would say "hair transplants are no good", then FUE started most established surgeons said FUE is no good, strip is the only way, I think SMP is a bit at that stage now, unfortunately to many people are offering this that cant produce technically good results and dont understand hair, this is why I think its a great advantage that proper hair clinics are doing them but not simply a micropigmentation technician. We have been doing this for years now and have been able to help allot of people that where not candidates for a hair transplant, had hair transplant scars to cover or simply didnt want surgery. SMP is here to stay and it definitely has its place in the hair restoration field but its not a solution for everyone, with this just as hair transplants its important to choose wisely.