Hair loss affects as many as 35 million people all over the globe. There are many causes, not the least of which are genetic and health-related. Those suffering from excessive hair fall may feel anxious or depressed about their appearance. They turn to hair restoration methods such as transplants or scalp micropigmentation for solutions.

In this, article we discuss:

• What causes hair loss?

• Hair Restoration Methods

• What is Scalp Micropigmentation

• 10 Reasons SMP is the Best Hair Loss Solution

• What to look for in an SMP Professional

• Keep reading to discover how people are changing their lives with scalp micropigmentation.
  

What Causes Hair Loss

Hair loss, also called alopecia, affects everyone but its more common in men. By age 50, 85% of men will experience some form of hair loss or thinning. Several factors contribute to thinning hair such as changing hormones, medication, lifestyle, stress, pregnancy, immune disorders, illness, heredity, trauma to the scalp or follicles, or aging.

Signs and symptoms of hair loss:

• Scaly patches of skin spreading over the scalp

• Patchy, circular bald spots

• Loose hair

• Losing clumps of hair while combing or brushing

• Gradually thinning hair
  
  

Only your doctor can say for sure what the cause of your hair loss is. Talk to your doctor if your hair loss is sudden or distressing. Sudden hair loss may indicate underlying medical conditions. Early treatment can help slow the thinning process and your doctor may be able to suggest restoration options.

Types of Hair Restoration

Hair restoration methods vary from wigs to dietary supplements to shampoos to surgery. Wigs can be customized to the person and desired hairstyle. Some people have success with supplements and shampoos but find that the results last only as long as they are using the product. These all are noninvasive and very affordable options.

Hair transplant surgery has been up to 79% effective with participants saying they were satisfied with their results 3 years later. There are two major methods of transplant surgery: FUSS and FUE.

A follicular unit strip surgery involves the doctor making an incision in the 'donor' hair area and transplanting each follicle to the thinning area. During follicular unit extraction, the surgeon uses a punch tool to remove hair from the dense doner area and then implants them in the thinning area. In both procedures, the hair grows like it did in the dense donor area. Both methods cause scarring but FUE is considered the gold standard and doesn't require stitches.

Results take up to 12 months to see and cannot prevent future hair loss. There are currently ongoing studies for hair restoration with stem cells but the procedure will not be available in the US for the foreseeable future.

What is Scalp Micropigmentation?

Scalp Micropigmentation is essentially a hair tattoo. Tiny bits of pigment are deposited to give the appearance of hair follicles mimicking a close shave. It can also be used for individuals with thinning hair.

The process for SMP starts with a consultation. Your practitioner will tell you what results you can reasonably expect and answer any question you have about the procedure. Then they will help you map your ideal hairline based on your age, current hairline, and preferences.

10 Reasons Why Scalp Micropigmentation Is the Best Solutions for Hair Loss

While SMP isn't a solution to regrow your hair, it can restore the appearance of a hairline and your confidence.

Here are ten reasons why scalp micropigmentation is the best hair loss solution:

1. Relatively Painless

Most people don't find hair pigmentation to be particularly painful but pain tolerance varies from person to person. If you are particularly susceptible to pain, taking a pain reliever before the process can help. Like traditional tattooing, different areas of the skin will hurt more than others. SMP is unlike traditional tattooing where the ink is embedded deep into the skin with a larger needle.

2. Low Risk of Side Effects

Scalp micropigmentation comes with a low risk of side effects following the procedure. Immediately after you may experience some <a href="https://www.gotscalp.com/blog/what-should-you-do-after-your-first-micropigmentation-session">redness and swelling</a> but that should go away within a week. You want to avoid washing your scalp, getting it wet, and avoid rubbing your head during that time to heal and reduce your risk of infection.

It's possible to experience infections or allergic reactions that result in scarring if you do not go to a properly trained SMP professional. SMP inks are high quality which reduces the chances of an allergic reaction.

3. Low Maintenance and Reversible

After<a href="https://www.gotscalp.com/aftercare"> the healing process</a>, the most you have to do for your scalp is avoid sun exposure by using an SPF sun lotion or hats. The sun can fade the appearance of your pigment requiring touch-ups. Most people find they like to have a touch up every 3 to 7 years.

The needles for SMP are much smaller than tattoo needles so the pigment doesn't go as deep. This makes reversal an easier process. Reversal is done with a laser and can be used to change the hairline as you age or to give more natural results.

4. Works for Men and Women of Every Race

Scalp micropigmentation is for people with thin or completely bald hair. It is customizable for any hair color. Because the dots are so small, any follicle shape can be mimicked to give the appearance of hair. Women typically use SMP to give the appearance of thicker hair when <a href="https://www.gotscalp.com/blog/why-scalp-micropigmentation-for-women-is-becoming-increasingly-popular">female pattern baldness</a> is present.

5. Results Are Instant

When your sessions are complete, you will leave with the appearance of hair. The full effect settles after you scalp heals but you don't have to wait long periods before you see what your results are.

Hair transplants take up to a year before you can see if the surgery worked. The donor hair completely sheds and begins to regrow.

6. Affordability

Depending on the extent of hair loss, scalp micropigmentation costs a fraction of hair restoration surgery. Hair transplant surgery can cost <a href="https://elemental.medium.com/these-are-not-your-grandfathers-hair-plugs-816e3bf0632c">upward of $15,000</a> excluding it as a viable option for many. This price is on top of the waiting period for your hair to grow in.

7. Look Younger

The appearance of hair makes you appear more youthful. Our eye is trained to see younger people with full heads of hair. As you experience hair fall, especially at the hairline, your face shape appears different. This has an aging quality and makes people anxious and unwilling to try new things.

With scalp micropigmentation, you restore your confidence in your appearance, giving more confidence in dating and the workplace.

8. Camouflage Scars

SMP is an excellent choice for concealing scalp scars. Over 650 million people worldwide undergo hair transplant procedures every year. These surgeries leave unsightly scars that cause their own level of embarrassment and are a huge sign you've had the work done.

Scalp micropigmentation conceals transplant scars and when used in conjunction with transplants, can improve the appearance of restoration surgery.

9. Doesn't Damage Hair Follicles Use it with Hair transplant

Another major benefit of SMP is that it doesn't damage your scalp or follicles. The damage caused by a transplant incision precludes any more hair from growing in that area. Other methods for hair restoration, like wigs and hair systems, can cause traction alopecia, decreasing the amount of hair you already have.

Because it doesn't damage your existing follicles, SMP blends seamlessly into your existing hair.

10. Looks Natural

Because the needle for an SMP procedure is much smaller than tattoo needles, the results are more natural-looking. Large tattoo needles will deposit the pigment deeper in the scalp, make bigger 'follicles', and in some cases, change color over time.

A professional SMP job looks like hair that is cut into a bald fade. Beware of untrained technicians or tattoo artists claiming they can do scalp micropigmentation but have not received proper training.

What to Look for in an SMP Practitioner

The skill of the SMP practitioner, also called an artist or technician, determines how your natural-looking your result are. Done incorrectly, damage to the scalp, scarring, and infection can occur.

Here's what to look for when choosing your SMP technician:

Training

The rising popularity of scalp micropigmentation for hair loss has lead to a boom in academies and individuals that offer training. When you speak with a clinic, you want to discover where they were trained and about the school's reputation. If the training is reputable, the academy should be able to provide a reference.

Because the idea of SMP is relatively simple, some tattoo artists will attempt it as a cheaper alternative to a real SMP technician. The procedure for traditional tattoos is not the same for SMP. The ink will look blotchy, fade over time, and may damage your existing hair.

Perfecting a natural-looking result takes time and training. While it is a cosmetic procedure, many states do not require that the technician have a cosmetic license or a tattoo license. Check with your state's governing body to discover if your technician can legally function in your area.

Provable Experience

Ask your technician for references and a portfolio. Their pictures should depict people that look similar to you with the results you desire. You want to see the job after healing, from all angles including zoomed in. A sparse portfolio is a red-flag that your tech may not have the skill needed to get the best results.

If possible, get results of their clients years after the procedure was completed to get an accurate depiction of the longevity of their work.

It's not uncommon to see a hair restoration office that provides SMP as an additional service for hair transplant surgery. This is great if you want to combine the two for maximum results but SMP is a procedure on its own. Don't fall for package deals that claim you cannot do one without the other.

Scalp Pigmentation Equipment

Most SMP technicians function in a clinic with medical-grade cleanliness. The equipment is sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.

Things to look for in an SMP office

• Floors must be nonporous, such as tile

• Biohazard disposable for needles

• Surgical lighting and magnifying lenses

• A Q-switched laser for corrections

  
  The right equipment for the job ensures you will get the results your after.
  

A Consultation

During your consultation, your SMP tech will ask you questions about your scalp and the results you are expecting. Bring pictures of your desired look with you for reference. After you choose your look, your tech will then map your hairline using a white makeup pencil. During this phase, you can change the look and decide if you want to cover any scars your scalp has.

It is entirely possible to cover raised scars but sometimes it looks more natural if they are left partially or completely uncovered.

Your pigment color is also chosen during this procedure to match your current hair color.

After this, your sessions will start. You'll lay down on a massage table or sit up straight depending on the treatment area. If you require several sessions, your SMP tech may require a week between each one to let your scalp heal. In these cases, they start with the hairline gradually fill in and darken the rest as the treatments progress.

End Hair loss Anxiety

Anxiety and depression is one side effect of hair loss. It can cause people to withdraw from doing new activities or to become obsessive over their appearance. Many feel like they can't go out without a hat or hair covering.

Scalp micropigmentation won't restore your hair but it can restore your confidence. Many men and women suffer from alopecia and baldness without hope for hair restoration. And restoration surgeries do not prevent against future hairless. SMP is a simple, affordable, and permanent aesthetic solution.

Find a provider near you to restore your hairline and take on a more youthful appearance today.