SMP for hair transplant scars

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I get a lot of inquires regarding scar concealment for hair transplant scars.

Whether from FUT (harvest strip scars) or from the more modern technique FUE (circular plug scars) I have had great success with both. SMP if done correctly can be a fantastic option to help improve the visual aspect of scaring.

difficult FUT concealment

A difficult FUT concealment

 

However, not all scars and not all skin are created equal and there are some important aspects of the process you should be aware of before rushing to an SMP clinic and expecting great results.

Scar tissue comes in many shapes and colours

SMP can fully or partially conceal unsightly scars. However, the varying degrees of success do depend on the following factors: The skill level and experience of the artist, the surrounding hair colour and density and lastly the shape, colour and condition of the scar itself.

Scar tissue behaves differently from regular healthy tissue so it must be approached in a very conservative manner or the results can be less than ideal (or in some cases worse than before.)

For example, and easier FUT concealment might consist of a scar, which is flat, thin and lighter than the surrounding tissue. This scar is also surrounded by dense dark hair. This would be a relatively easy concealment for an experienced artist.

However on the other hand as scar which is cratered or protruding, wide and surrounded by sparse hair can be very tricky indeed. As is a scar which is darker in colour to the surrounding skin.

FUE scars can also be problematic if they are large, plentiful and surrounded by sparse hair.

Before embarking on SMP for your scar concealment it’s imperative to seek out the advice of an experienced SMP artist who has an extensive and successful history working with scar tissue. Ask to see their scar concealment portfolio.

Scar tissue, in some cases does not act like regular healthy tissue

Scar tissue can often be thin and hollow or thick and tough, either way it doe’s not take pigment as well as surrounding healthy tissue. So the SMP artist must approach scar tissue very conservatively and cautiously, adding to the concealment process in increments.

When SMP for scar concealment when applied correctly can be life changing

Before SMP

Before SMP

After SMP

After carefully applied SMP

When applied correctly SMP can work wonders for scar concealment. However, with a boom in SMP practitioners, make sure you do your homework!

Visit a handful of artists in your city and ask the right questions. Take a look at their scar concealment portfolio, and make sure it’s the artist’s actual work. It is advised that you do not look just for the cheapest option as often this means inexperience. And you could end up spending more money with painful laser removal and an SMP re-do. 

Rob James is a busy SMP artists working out of his Vancouver based Scalp micropigmentation clinic, Advanced Scalp.

He is always available to advise and help. 

info@robjamessmp.com

778-917-7772

Why does SMP fade?

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This is a common question that I frequently receive and an aspect of SMP, which I do thoroughly explain to all my clients prior to their SMP procedure.

When a client asks “Will my SMP fade?” my answer and advice is always as follows:why Smp fade

Will my SMP fade?

Fading takes place at various stages of the process and differs greatly from person to person.

If you’ve had SMP done you might have noticed this for yourself.

So why does this happen?

And is there anything I can do to stop it? 

Fading first becomes apparent in between your multiple sessions.

And hopefully your SMP artist has informed you of this so as to avoid any panic.

The reason for this initial fade is your very own immune system; it recognizes something foreign and tries to take it away. This fading process varies from person to person. Some can see a 5% decrease in impressions in between sessions while others can see up to 20%.

However, as the session’s progress and the density increases the fading becomes less and less apparent. Also in my experience I believe the initial SMP fade from session one is the most aggressive. By session two and three it’s as if the body decreases its attack on the pigment (this is from my own observation).

 In between sessions you will want to adhere to the aftercare protocols in order to mitigate additional fading

Fading takes place at various stages of the process and differs greatly from person to person.

If you’ve had SMP done you might have noticed this for yourself.

So why does this happen?

And is there anything I can do to stop it? 

Fading first becomes apparent in between your multiple sessions.

And hopefully your SMP artist has informed you of this so as to avoid any panic.

The reason for this initial fade is your very own immune system; it recognizes something foreign and tries to take it away. This fading process varies from person to person. Some can see a 5% decrease in impressions in between sessions while others can see up to 20%.

However, as the session’s progress and the density increases the fading becomes less and less apparent. Also in my experience I believe the initial SMP fade from session one is the most aggressive. By session two and three it’s as if the body decreases its attack on the pigment (this is from my own observation).

In between sessions you will want to adhere to the aftercare protocols in order to mitigate additional fading

SMP Care

To maintain a great looking SMP, aftercare is vitally important

And these are some of the reasons why. The skin takes time to heal after an SMP session, the thousands of micro impressions need to seal over and form a tiny scab.  So it’s important to wait at least 3 days before allowing water to get on the scalp so as not to wash away the newly formed micro abrasion.

It’s also important not to apply products to your scalp especially those containing alcohol as this can irritate and unduly dry the scalp. Heavy sweating is not encouraged for at least three days after your SMP session so as not to force the pigment out of the healing impressions.  Do not aggressively rub the scalp with a towel or your hands as this can prematurely knock off the micro abrasion, taking the pigment with it.

And of course no burning the scalp via sun exposure as this causes damage to the skin and eventually causes excessive skin to flake off.

Once all the SMP sessions are completed and the ten-day aftercare period is over you may return to life as normal. 

However your skin will also do what it naturally does, which is shed. This shedding of the skin will eventually cause the SMP to fade.

You certainly can mitigate and slow down the fading by adopting a good skin care routine.

Do not expose the scalp to excessive sun; wear sunscreen or a cap when in direct or extreme sunshine.

Do not aggressively exfoliate the scalp with exfoliating products. Do not use a moisturizer containing alcohol as this has a drying affect on the skin. Do use a moisturizer that is natural and contains healthy skin fortifying, protective ingredients.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle and keep your skin well hydrated.

Rob James is a Vancouver Scalpmicropigmentation expert who works out of Advanced Scalp clinic in Vancouver Canada.

SMP Artist

He is always ready to help answer all SMP related questions.

info@robjamessmp.com

778-917-7772