Hair Transplant vs. Scalp Micropigmentation

Did you know that 85% of men over the age of 50 are bald or beginning to go bald?

Going bald can take a huge toll on a person's self-esteem, and in the past, there wasn't much that a person could do if they saw themselves going bald. Fortunately, today's technology has allowed both men and women to get their hair back in various ways. 

For example, a hair transplant vs. scalp micropigmentation is a big decision that more and more people are starting to make. While they both can give you the appearance of thicker hair, they are both very different methods of hair restoration. But the big question is: which method is best for you?

Keep reading and learn how to make the right choice for you.

What Is a Hair Transplant?

What is a hair transplant exactly, you might ask? It is actually a type of surgery designed to make your hairline look fuller and healthier than before. While hair transplants can benefit many people, they may not be ideal for everyone. 

For example, in this hair transplant guide, you will find that a hair transplant is only a good option if you still have hair on the back of your head but sparse hair towards the front of your hairline. That's because a hair transplant needs to take hair from another part of your scalp in order to move that hair to a portion of your scalp that doesn't have much hair left.

More often than not, your surgeon will take a strip of hair from the back of your head because the hair there should still be thick even if you are balding at the crown of your head. Once the surgeon removes this strip, he will cut the strip of hair into many tiny pieces. 

That way, the surgeon will be able to isolate the individual follicles of hair. As for the incision at the back of your head, your surgeon will sew it up so no one will be able to see the scar. Then, the surgeon will make little cuts along the areas in which you are balding. 

The surgeon will then take the cut-up pieces of hair follicles and carefully insert those hair follicles into the new incisions in your scalp. Once this is done, the transplanted hair follicles will start to take root in your scalp. While it may take some time, the healthy hair follicles will soon start to grow, and your bald spots will be a problem of the past. Hair transplants, however, are very expensive. 

What Is Scalp Micropigmentation?

The problem with hair transplants is that not everyone can afford them. More than that, a hair transplant is an invasive procedure, and it requires a lot of downtime to heal. This is not to mention that you will have to wait several months for your transplanted hair to grow out so you can see the results. 

With scalp micropigmentation, you don't have to worry about any of these problems. Scalp micropigmentation is actually very similar to getting a tattoo. It involves using a special device to add pigment to your scalp. 

However, this form of pigmentation is done in a way to mimic the appearance of hair follicles. Specifically, you will have several tiny dots tattooed onto your scalp, and these dots will look like hair follicles. Scalp micropigmentation is great for those who are completely bald, as well as those who have some bald patches.

In contrast, you can't have a hair transplant if you are bald. That's because you need hair to transplant to your bald spots in the first place. If you are bald and decide to get scalp micropigmentation, you will be able to look like you have a stylish buzz cut. 

Of course, because scalp micropigmentation is a form of tattoo, you won't be able to achieve any long, flowing locks. However, if you don't like the appearance of your bald head, this procedure can make it look like you have much more hair.

But what if you only have some bald patches? The pigment used for scalp micropigmentation is designed to match the color of your existing hair. So, once you get this procedure done for your bald spots, those spots will blend in with the rest of your hair. As a result, your hair will look much thicker than before.

Which Is Best for You? 

Making the choice between scalp micropigmentation and a hair transplant can be difficult, but a few things can help narrow down your options. For example, consider your type of hair loss. Do you only have some bald spots, or are you completely bald?

If you have already lost all of your hair, a hair transplant won't be a good option for you. Even if you are a good candidate for a hair transplant, you will need to keep your budget in mind because the procedure is very expensive. 

On the other hand, no matter whether you are bald or only have bald spots, scalp micropigmentation can be a great choice. Even though it is not real hair, it can give you the appearance of having real hair. This is not to mention that scalp micropigmentation is much cheaper (and faster) than a hair transplant. 

Selecting a Hair Transplant vs. Scalp Micropigmentation

Hair transplant vs. scalp micropigmentation: the choice will largely depend on the type of hair loss you have and your budget. While both choices can be great, scalp micropigmentation is more readily available for more types of people. 

To learn more about scalp micropigmentation, contact us here.