Hair transplants have long been amongst the ‘gold standard’ hair loss treatments for men and women everywhere. Although they are not guaranteed to provide lasting results, they can have a higher success rate than topical treatments such as Regaine (minoxidil and finasteride).

However, for individuals who plan to have a hair transplant or have already gotten one, bald patches or thinning hair can still occur and leave an undesirable look that may diminish your sense of self-esteem.

Hair Tattoos as a Solution

Relatively new, or at least in terms of its growing popularity here in Australia, Scalp Micropigmentation (or simply SMP) has been successfully used for men and women experiencing hair loss. Can SMP be used in conjunction with hair transplant treatments? Yes! Much like on an original scalp of hair, SMP camouflages patchy areas should they become evident on transplanted hair.

Things to Know About SMP With Hair Transplants

In practice, the implementation of SMP treatments should work exactly the same on an ‘original’ scalp as it would on a scalp that’s received a hair transplant. However, there are some things to note that can make the process more of a challenge for the SMP practitioner.

Firstly, SMP practitioners use a wide variety of pigments to simulate the exact colour of the recipient’s hair. For patients with natural hair, it can be easier to obtain samples to reproduce the colours needed precisely. This is important because an inaccurate colour can emphasise a bald spot or draw unwanted attention.

For patients who have undergone a hair transplant, the colour pigmentation of the transplanted hair must be replicated to have any meaningful effect. Finding an adequate sample can be a challenge, as the patient may have difficulties in growing out their new hair and thereby producing a sample for the clinician. For this reason, it’s important to choose a clinic that is highly experienced and well-trained at performing SMP, as the pigmentation should be nothing short of flawless in its resemblance to the patient’s transplanted hair.

More in-depth information on the feasibility of SMP combined with hair transplants can be found in this robust study.

Is It Worth Getting SMP Along With a Hair Transplant?

This is a personal decision, however when compared to Hair Transplants, SMP can present as a more immediate and very often more affordable hair loss solution. This is due to the fact that it is both non-surgical and non-invasive, while achieving the look of a full, dense hairline. Alternatively, while Hair Transplants can provide something tangible that SMP can’t (actual hair on the scalp!), it can still result in balding or thinning patches of hair if hair loss continues.

Foli Sim

Book a free, no-obligation consultation with the professional SMP practitioners at Foli Sim to find out if Scalp Micropigmentation is a real alternative for your situation.

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