What is SMP and is it right for me?
he effects of balding in both sexes, can have an overwhelming effect on a person's self-esteem, self-confidence, their sexuality and overall body image. Many people feel uncomfortable to embarrassed about their thinning hair, bald spots or other common forms of baldness. There are many so-called cures for baldness, including: tablets, growth serums, Hair Transplants, growth shampoos and conditioners etc. and thousands of people choose to experiment with them, only to be very disappointed with the results - or lack thereof. There is not a “one solution fits all” when it comes to hair loss, however Scalp Micropigmentation is a viable medium to long term option for those who wish to have the appearance of hair covering their scalps.
I’m John Carr, Expert Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) specialist and one of New Zealand’s leading independent artists, and in this article I’ll outline what this procedure is all about, and who the treatment is ideal for and why many people are now turning to this form of treatment and it’s many benefits. In fact - SMP is perfectly suited for woman and Men who are suffering any form of hair loss that may be leading to permanent loss.
What is Scalp Micropigmentation?
“Scalp Micropigmentation is a form of cosmetic tattooing where we simulate the look of a hair follicle and give the illusion of a fuller head of hair, with no need for ongoing medication or regular treatments”.
SMP is a non-invasive, non-surgical, medical cosmetic tattoo treatment. For patients suffering from male and female pattern baldness, hair loss from cancer, alopecia or just thinning hair. As everyone’s scalp and face shape is unique, an experienced SMP practitioner will consult and design specifically for each individual person, to carefully recreate a new hairline and/or a fuller appearance that is natural and undetectable.
The Process:
A typical SMP procedure usually takes three (or more) sessions, with each session being approximately 3 - 5 hours in duration. It is recommended to separate the procedures by a week. Carrying out each session at least one week apart allows the pigment time to settle and the replicated hair follicle time to heal ready for the next session.
Advanced hair loss:
For males with advanced hair loss an age appropriate hairline is measured out and drawn on. With all treatments, the first session uses a lighter pigment shade suitable for your skin and hair tones. The replicated hair follicle is evenly spaced out allowing enough room around each impression for subsequent sessions to increase in density as well as introducing slightly darker shades for contrast producing a subtle, natural looking appearance.
Thinning hair.
SMP is very effective in creating density in people that have had hair transplants or males and females that are experiencing thinning hair. With 50% of men under 50 experiencing genetic baldness as well as 50% of pre-menopausal women, it is now more commonplace that some hair transplant clinics also provide SMP services to complement their transplant procedure. This helps them to create the appearance of a fuller head of hair, often transplants alone do not give the density required.
Hair transplantation is less effective for thinning hair and especially so with extremely thinning hair. This is so for up to 50% of woman with post-menopausal/genetic thinning hair. Many women today resort to using concealers, pastes, powders or Hair pieces in order to address their thinning hair. What they are actually trying to achieve is less of a contrast between their hair colour and the colour of their scalp making the hair appear fuller. The skilled SMP technician can achieve these more permanent results in a matter of a few sessions.
Androgenetic Alopecia or Male/female pattern baldness.
With approximately 85% of all males experiencing pattern baldness and approximately 50% of women, there are a huge number of people who are affected by this condition. Males typically will experience hair loss on the top of their head usually from the hairline back into the crown area, resulting in partial and even complete baldness. Women usually do not lose their hairlines and very rarely end up completely bald. The female Androgenetic Alopecia pattern (female pattern baldness) tends to start out as thinning on the top of the scalp, then progressively thinning with time and is usually occurs post menopause.
Scarring.
SMP is an effective treatment when trying to diminish the appearance of scarring. It can be useful when trying to camouflage surgical scars, hair transplant scars and alopecia scarring. When choosing an SMP provider for camouflage work, make sure they are experienced in this procedure. The highly skilled technician will closely replicate both the shade and the stippled pattern of the surrounding follicles in order to create a result as undetectable as possible.
Does having a Scalp Micropigmentation treatment hurt?
The needles and technique used in SMP are not the same as having a body tattoo treatment using ink. Tattoo artist use ink, rather than pigment, and they go much deeper into the dermis to implant ink, which of course, causes more pain. Patients report that SMP is more a tingling sensation that pain and many clinics use medical grade numbing cream to numb the scalp as much as possible, to reduce pain and irritation further from the treatment.
How much does a Scalp Micropigmentation Treatment Cost?
Prices for SMP vary depending on the amount of work that needs to be done based on the degree of hair loss. Prices can range from $900 to cover a client, male or female, with thinning hair to $5000 for a full head of hair restoration. It is best to go into the office where you plan to have the treatment to meet with your specialist and have a consultation. Consultations are typically not charged for. Go into the consultation prepared with some questions about the specialist and about the treatment. Based on the consultation, the specialist will be able to give you an accurate quote on the procedure, and should be able to answer any and all of your questions.
You should feel comfortable with the specialist and confident they are experienced in the treatment you are enquiring about. Ask about any guarantees that the specialist may offer as this shows confidence in their skill and ability to get it right for you.
Conclusion
There is not a “one solution fits all” when it comes to hair loss, however Scalp Micropigmentation is a viable medium to long term option for those people who are concerned about their hair loss and wish to have the appearance of hair covering their scalps.
By having this type of treatment, you can easily have the look of a freshly shaved head or a buzz cut, rather than looking completely or partially bald. The appearance of this look is Bold, confident and daring. This procedure has shown to increase one's confidence and self-esteem and give you a new outlook on life.
Author John Carr – SMP Specialist…
John gets a buzz out of seeing the change he can make in people’s lives… It never ceases to amaze him just how much more confident his clients are after the treatment.
Achieving undetectable results is a particular pride of Johns with many clients reporting back that family and friends are seriously impressed at how natural and non-artificial their new coverage looks.
Contact John on 027 642 6366 for a no obligation, confidential consultation today.
