Permanent makeup has become an increasingly sought after service for both men and women suffering from hair loss and thinning hair. After all, thicker hair denotes youth while thin, stringy hair gives one an aged look. Although the causes of hair loss may vary, there is a common solution: permanent makeup in the form of scalp micropigmentation. The techniques used depend on the area of the scalp treated and the effect necessary to mimic a hair-like appearance for that area.
Hair Thickening
Maturity causes hair thinning in women as well as men. While Female Pattern Baldness may not be a widely known term, it is a very real issue related to genetics. Thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances and many other illnesses and medications can contribute to this malady as well.
Countless women use powders to color their scalp to make their thinning hair appear thicker, and permanent makeup for the scalp is a great alternative. Applying permanent makeup along the part in a woman’s hair can make a significant difference in her appearance. It gives her a more youthful look by eliminating the wide, empty space in her part that makes her hair look so much thinner. This procedure does not color actual hair at the scalp as a touch-up of hair color would, but rather exclusively addresses the scalp. Thinning hair at the top of the head is common for women. Either a shading or hair stubble technique (or both) can be applied in this case.
Temple Hairs
Side hairlines can be filled in using sweeping hair strokes. When applied correctly, these effects are quite convincing. Case in point: One of my clients was a dance instructor who was self conscious about her thinning sides. She felt the sides were noticeable when she spun around on the dance floor with her long hair. She longed to be able to pull her hair back into a ponytail, and never could due to this issue. Applying sweeping strokes with permanent makeup along the sides of her hairline opened up a whole new world for her. She now enjoys wearing a ponytail and spins her hair around with confidence.
Top of Head
Another female client started experiencing dramatic thinning of the hair on the top of her head when she reached her 40s. I tattooed the area with micro-insertions of color to create a background effect for the hair she still had. This procedure, while tedious, greatly camouflaged her scalp. If her hair continues to thin out, I can simply shade over the micro-insertions to add another dimension and more camouflage.
Stubble Growth
It is now a sexy fashion statement for men with shaved heads to sport some stubble growth, and this trend shows no sign of retreating anytime soon. Creating stubble on a shaved head is an easy hair replacement technique that is youthful and easy to maintain. Even recreating a man’s previous hairline on his shaved head with a stubble technique can take years off of his appearance.
For those guys who lost their hair very young and have very little remaining, their entire head can be tattooed with micro-insertions of color that duplicates hair stubbles. While time consuming and expensive for the client, this procedure is a permanent solution. The appearance of hair stubbles is so real that one would have to touch it in order to see that they are not real. These clients will never again have to resort to using a toupée or weave!
Hair Transplant Scar Camouflage
Many men who have aborted hair transplant surgeries now have large smiley face scars across the entire back of their heads, which require scar camouflaging. Many of these transplants have been aborted due to the lack of donor hair. It also may have become too costly to continue or the men simply were not happy with the results. Camouflaging these scars via a permanent makeup procedure is a very popular solution for these men. The procedure requires mimicking the hair stubble length that the client wishes to wear his hair. Often, a combination of small hairs and stubbles completely fool the eyes and the scars seem to completely disappear into the surrounding stubbles.
Micropigmentation can also be used on clients who have completed hair transplants. This occurs because there are cases in completed hair transplants, for both men and women, when the donor sites are scarce. In such cases, permanent makeup or micropigmentation is applied between the transplanted hairs. This technique works in harmony with the transplanted hairs, giving them the appearance of being denser.
Weaves and Dreadlocks
These hairstyles pose an issue to those wearing them for extended periods of time due to their weight. The constant pulling can leave bald spots around the hairline or between the weaves. Micropigmentation can solve this problem by adding color that creates a camouflage for these areas.
Pre and Post-Care Instructions
It is important for scalp micropigmentation clients to blot the first day after the procedure, since there will be some secretions of both lymph and possibly a small amount of blood. Starting on day 2, apply pure, organic grapeseed oil with a cotton swab twice a day. This oil prevents scabbing and allows the scalp to heal. Clients should avoid washing the head, swimming or using hot tubs for one week.
Training
Tattooing the scalp is a highly skilled and tedious process, which must be done by someone specially trained in scalp micropigmentation. It is unlike any other type of permanent makeup or tattooing. Pigments can easily migrate and tend to turn bluish very easily if the technician has not received good color training. One must have a trained hand to avoid this unsightly blunder. Engaging in scalp micropigmentation requires advanced training, and primary training is a prerequisite. The classes run for two or three days, and tuitions range between $2,500 and $5,000.
Contraindications
Individuals with joint replacements must have medical clearance for scalp micropigmentation. Ask them if they require premedication. Follow this caution for individuals with stents, pacemakers and valve replacements as well.
Cost
The cost of scalp micropigmentation procedures varies according to the size of the area receiving micropigmentation. Smaller areas such as head scars can start at $250 per session, and require between one and three sessions. It often works best to build the color rather than to lay it down all at once.
Larger areas, such as the top of the head, generally range from $400 to $800 per session and require more than one session. Treatment ranges between one and three sessions to allow texture to build from the use of different needles or colors.
Full head treatments for men generally range from $2,500 to $5,000. This usually requires multiple sessions, with the payment made in segments for each session.
Duration
The duration of a scalp procedure can vary greatly, depending on the amount of sun exposure and amount of oil on the scalp, as well as the products and depth of color used for hair simulation. The darker colors tend to last longer than lighter shades. Color that is tattooed into scar tissue may not last as long as color tattooed directly onto the scalp.
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