Cleveland Clinic Hair Loss Details

Scalp Micropigmentation

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Hi Friends!  More details from the experts at the famous Cleveland Clinic.  Article reviewed on 4-14-22

Does scalp micropigmentation grow hair?

Scalp micropigmentation doesn’t grow hair or change your natural hair growth. It is not a hair loss reversal. It also won’t cause hair loss or damage your existing hair follicles. Scalp micropigmentation is a way to make it look like you have fuller, thicker hair.

PROCEDURE DETAILS

What happens before scalp micropigmentation?

Before scalp micropigmentation:

  1. Wash your hair and scalp before your appointment.
  2. When you arrive, your practitioner marks the areas of the scalp that they’ll treat.
  3. If you’re bald, you and your provider may create a hairline based on your facial structure, age, and head shape.
  4. You and your provider choose pigments that match your hair color.
  5. Pain? The needles are thinner and smaller than tattoo needles, so scalp micropigmentation is usually less painful than getting a tattoo.

What happens during scalp micropigmentation?

Your provider uses a needle to deposit medical-grade pigment on the desired areas of the scalp. The dots vary in size, angle, and depth to provide a natural, hairlike appearance.

Your treatment may take up to five hours, depending on the size of the treatment area. Most people need three or more treatments, spaced several weeks apart. Each treatment adds more pigment to create the look of thick hair.

What happens after scalp micropigmentation?

Since there’s no surgery or anesthesia, you can go back to daily life quickly. There are very few side effects of scalp micropigmentation. You may have some redness on your scalp that lasts several hours. You can wear a hat or scarf to cover the scalp if you want.

RISKS / BENEFITS

What are the advantages of scalp micropigmentation?

The benefits of scalp micropigmentation compared to hair transplantation surgery include:

  • Less invasive (no surgery or incisions).
  • Less pain.
  • Lower cost.
  • No downtime.

What are the risks or complications of this procedure?

The biggest risks of scalp micropigmentation come with using an unlicensed or inexperienced practitioner who may not take the necessary precautions.

Possible risks include:

  • Allergic reaction to the cosmetic pigments.
  • Infection from unsterilized needles.
  • Unnatural or undesirable appearance after treatment.

To avoid these risks:

  • Choose a licensed scalp micropigmentation technician.
  • Ask to see before and after scalp micropigmentation photos of their work.
  • If you have allergies, discuss them with your technician before the procedure.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t get scalp micropigmentation?

People who are prone to keloids (scars that grow larger than normal) should not get scalp micropigmentation. The treatment can cause keloids to form in some people.

RECOVERY AND OUTLOOK

What is the recovery time after scalp micropigmentation?

After the treatment, you may need to avoid certain activities for several days, including:

  • Getting your scalp wet. Wear a shower cap while showering or take baths to keep your head dry. Don’t wash your hair or scalp until your provider says it’s OK to do so.
  • Heavy exercise.
  • Hot, steamy showers or steam rooms. The steam can cause moisture to collect on your scalp.
  • Sun exposure on your scalp.
  • Sweating or being in a hot environment.

How long does scalp micropigmentation last?

Scalp micropigmentation usually retains its appearance for four years or longer. The pigments used in scalp micropigmentation are permanent cosmetic pigments. They are not the same as tattoo ink, so they resist fading or color change.

References

  • American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: Who gets and causes. (https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/18-causes) Accessed 4/14/2022.
  • Food and Drug Administration. Tattoos and permanent makeup: Fact sheet. (https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products/tattoos-permanent-makeup-fact-sheet) Accessed 4/14/2022.
  • Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J, Estrin NF. Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382144/) J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(3):35-42. Accessed 4/14/2022

See my earlier blogs to follow my review of additional hair loss processes, procedures, and products.  The content is not written as scientific absolutes, rather reflecting my personal journey.  Stay tuned as we continue to look at future options for fighting hair loss.

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