Scalp Micropigmentation – What You Should Know About the Treatment
Almost everyone wants to enjoy a healthy and full head of hair, but it is not always easy for everyone to achieve this look. If you want to enjoy the look of a full head of hair, but don’t want to undergo a treatment such as a hair transplant, scalp micropigmentation (SMP) might be the ideal choice for your scalp. This treatment imitates the look of a closely shaved head and it can also blend-in with the look of the natural hair of the patient. Let’s take an in-depth look at scalp micropigmentation and how it improves the aesthetic appearance of the scalp.
Scalp Micropigmentation – What is it?
In general, scalp micropigmentation is a minimally invasive treatment that places microscopic dots of dermal pigments into the scalp. The addition of the pigments fills in the appearance of the areas of the scalp where more skin is exposed thanks to bald spots or thinning hair.
In order for the pigments to properly match the scalp, the procedure is performed using specialized tools and needles. By placing the pigment into the papillary layer of the dermis, the appearance of the hair in the scalp can be created by the doctor. It is important to make sure your doctor is properly experienced and trained in performing the treatment as a combination of surgical skills and an artistic eye are necessary to achieve the desired look.
The treatment relies on specialty pigments in order to achieve the imitation of a closely shaved head that is not obvious to anyone viewing the scalp. The addition of pigment to bald or sparse areas of the scalp can even create the appearance of more hair when performed along with the transplanting of new hair to the treated area.
A natural look is achieved by matching the color of the pigment with the color of the hair of the patient which can make it difficult for the average person to determine the difference between the natural hair follicles and the pigment.
Scalp Micropigmentation – Who is an Ideal Candidate?
An ideal candidate for the procedure is a person who lacks enough hair to have enough density to cover the balding section of the scalp. In addition, scalp micropigmentation can also help to minimize the visibility of a scar on the scalp that is the result of an earlier surgical procedure.
Females who are lacking enough hair elsewhere on the body that can be moved via a hair transplant can use scalp micropigmentation to create a fuller appearance to the hair on the scalp. Male patients who are experiencing male patterned baldness and do not want to have a visible balding horseshoe pattern on the scalp can turn to SMP to gain the look of a fuller head of hair.
Scalp Micropigmentation – Recovery and Benefits Info
After the treatment is completed, patients can expect to see a bit of redness on the scalp along with a dry or itchy feel for a week or two. The pigment might look a bit darker than expected at the start of the recovery process, but it will attain the expected color as time passes.
In addition to providing the scalp with the appearance of a fuller head of hair, there are additional benefits patients can expect to enjoy after the procedure:
- SMP is an effective treatment option for a person who is experiencing conditions with the hair that are not ideally addressed with a hair transplant. Some common conditions that SMP can treat include Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Universalis, and Alopecia Totalis.
- Scalp micropigmentation can also treat issues with hypopigmentation that might appear after a Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant (on the donor area).
Scalp Micropigmentation – How Long Do the Results Last?
It is important to note that the results of scalp micropigmentation are not permanent, but they are long-lasting. In general, the results can last anywhere from three to five years. Even though the pigment can start to fade as time passes, it will not necessarily change color. Patients can have touch-up treatments in order to maintain the results gained from the treatment. While it is not necessary to have an annual follow-up treatment, it can help to lessen the amount of fading that might occur on the scalp.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about scalp micropigmentation is invited to contact our office for a consultation appointment. Our team of experienced and board-certified surgeons can explain SMP in greater detail and also answer any questions you might have about the procedure. In addition, the doctors will examine your scalp to determine the cause of the hair loss as well as make sure you are healthy enough for an SMP treatment. They will also share all of your available options when it comes to addressing the loss of hair on the scalp so you can make an educated decision when it comes to having scalp micropigmentation or another hair loss treatment.
