Is a hair transplant possible after getting scalp micropigmentation?
It’s not unusual for hair to fall off from our bodies once in a while, however, when your hair begins to fall out faster than usual, then you may be balding. This is still quite normal because statistics show that on average, we lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hairs every day. Hair loss, also referred to as alopecia is quite common. Around the world, 50% of women experience balding, 40% of men have noticeable hair loss by the time they reach 35. So hair loss is something most people experience in their lifetime though, occasionally it may be a sign of a medical condition.
With this being the case, a lot of patients would want to find a treatment or at least a solution for their hair loss. The good news is that over the years there has been a great improvement in hair restoration treatments.
But what is Scalp micropigmentation?
Scalp micropigmentation, also known as (SMP) is one of the most popular treatments on the market today. It’s a non-surgical treatment procedure during which natural pigments are applied within the dermal layer of the scalp, making it resemble hair follicles on the head. In simpler terms, it’s a permanent medical-grade tattoo similar to permanent makeup.
With scalp micropigmentation, women and men can get natural and realistic-looking results of whatever hair they have. During the SMP treatment process, tiny layered dots are used to mimic the shadow of your scalp, a style known as “pointillism”. The main goal is to give patients a natural-looking depth and definition.
On your first visit to the clinic, a skilled practitioner will make sure to needle in dots that resemble your natural hair follicles and see to it that they blend in well with your skin complexion. The results are usually instant and one experiences only very little pain. Take note though that scalp micropigmentation doesn’t necessarily restore your hair but works well at hiding whatever hair loss you may be experiencing.
SMP is also considered to be semi-permanent, meaning the effects only last for only about 8 years before the treated area slowly fades away. When you have dry skin, the fading process may even happen faster. This is because our skin tends to flake when the skin is dry and in the process, the applied pigment can easily exfoliate off. For some people, an incorrect pigment may be used that doesn’t match your hair and therefore causing dissatisfaction. For these reasons, it’s better to go in for a hair transplant.
Hair transplant and Scalp micropigmentation
A hair transplant is another viable option for women and men suffering from hair loss. It’s a hair replacement procedure that involves the removal of hair follicles from one part of the body called the donor area and transplanted to another which is known as the recipient area. This transplant process takes only a few hours and after that, you may notice a bit of redness, minor swelling, and some scabbing to where the hair was transplanted. Not to worry though, because all this clears up within a week.
We’ve also seen that even with the new hair loss treatments, sometimes one isn’t enough to hide you’re your balding problems. This often prompts many hair loss sufferers to want to integrate scalp micropigmentation with hair transplant so that they can fully reap the benefits both treatments have to offer.
And now that we know what each of the two procedures entails, let’s jump straight into if getting one after the other is possible.
Getting a hair transplant after scalp micropigmentation
Usually, it’s recommended that young men do not get hair transplant surgery not until they are older. Why is this the case? This is because their hair loss pattern is not likely to be firmly founded/is unstable. It’s also key that permanent hair follicles are not affected by androgenetic alopecia once they are transplanted. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a male pattern of baldness.
For this reason, young men can get scalp micropigmentation as the better option. More so if they are unhappy with their current hair loss state and are looking for a better solution. If after getting scalp micropigmentation your hair loss continues, then you will need to have another treatment. In such cases, hair transplant surgery is the most suitable option because there won’t be any damage to your hair follicles or your scalp.
So yes, it’s very possible to get a hair transplant after scalp micropigmentation. Combining a hair transplant and SMP procedures is a great way to achieve a nice look. In most cases, scalp micropigmentation provides only a small term solution to hair loss. Sometimes even after the process, you’ll find that some hair will still be falling off while with a hair transplant hair can be taken from the back of your head and transplanted to the balding area. In just a short time, you will have loads of hair back to your head. If you want to feel your hair through your fingers, a hair transplant is a solution here.
The take-home point here is that SMP and hair transplant as procedures complement each other perfectly. What the other one lacks, the other provides.
Final thoughts on Scalp micropigmentation with a Hair Transplant
Scalp micro pigmentation is an effective method for patients that want to mimic hair follicles on the scalp. And as for patients that wish to get a hair transplant after getting scalp micropigmentation, performing one after the other doesn’t affect any of the procedures. Scalp pigmentation can be performed without damaging the hair and thereafter, a hair transplant can be placed on top of the new scalp pigmentation. However much as this is possible, it’s better to always be decisive and make one choice rather than many.
If you’re still unsure of what treatment procedure is best for you, it’s best to visit one of the many hair loss clinics available so that a hair loss physician can first determine what’s causing your hair loss and then be able to advise you the different options you can try out
