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October 25, 2019 | By HSW Clinic
“Dr Nel explained everything very clearly and was most helpful. He never tried to force me into anything or pressed me into any treatment. He gave his expert knowledge and advice freely and I'm most grateful.” - DesireeSMP replicates the natural appearance of hair follicles. It is a cosmetic tattoo treatment that was developed to address unsightly scalp and hair conditions. There are an increasing number of people who have cosmetic problems with their hair which are caused from dermatologic and/or genetic conditions, scars from accidents or plastic surgeries. Micropigmentation of the scalp is a safe and effective technique for camouflaging some of these scalp problems.
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a non-surgical treatment that uses specialist pigments applied to the scalp to replicate the appearance of tiny hair follicles. Essentially, SMP reduces the reflection of light and creates the appearance of denser hair. The effect creates the look of closely-shaved hair or adds the appearance of density to thinning areas. It’s a versatile option that can be used to create a defined hairline, add fullness, or camouflage scarring from previous procedures.
SMP is long-lasting but not strictly permanent — the pigment naturally and slowly becomes lighter over a number of years, as the immune surveillance cells (Macrophages) work on the pigment. With SMP the pigment is placed very shallow in the skin, just below the epidermis (top layer of the skin), whereas a Tattoo is significantly deeper into the Dermis (lower layer of skin). A top-up session can be done, but this is surprisingly rare. Over many years as the pigment gets slightly lighter, it blends in with the greying hair mass and this works very well.
When carried out by an experienced practitioner, SMP looks very natural. This is an artistic adjunctive treatment in hair restoration and when done in the right context by an experienced practitioner, it finishes off the hair restoration process perfectly. The pigment is applied in fine, layered dots that are carefully matched to your natural hair colour and skin tone, and the hairline is designed to suit your face and age. The goal is always a result that looks like your own hair, and we’re happy to show examples of previous work at your consultation.
Most patients require two sessions. The first session is followed up by a second session 10 days to 8 weeks later to ensure the dots are evenly spread across the treated area. This staged approach allows the pigment to be layered gradually and adjusted for the most natural finish.
Yes — SMP and hair transplantation work very well together, and combining them is a popular approach. SMP enhances the appearance of hair density between transplanted hairs, making the overall result look fuller, and it can also help camouflage any donor-area scarring. SMP is done six months after the hair transplant. Dr. Nel can advise whether a combined approach would give you the best outcome as part of your treatment plan.
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