Permanent vs. Temporary Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

The following article posted to our hair loss social community and discussion forums, was written by Coalition hair transplant surgeon Dr. David Josephitis:

Is permanent scalp micropigmentation better than temporary ?

The biggest factor in determining whether to use permanent vs semi-permanent SMP is future hair loss. Many younger patients with early hair loss come to our clinic not wanting to do hair transplant surgery but want a solution nonetheless. They may or not be on medical hair loss treatments for prevention. These patients, in my opinion, are better served by going the semi permanent route.

The reason that this is a better option is as follows. As these patients lose more hair they will need additional SMP. It is not as simple as just adding more pigment into the areas that have faded. The problem with patients who lose more hair is that they need a different pattern and level of density of SMP. If one only adds to the pattern that was originally made, the SMP will only become more obvious (relatively darker looking) instead of less obvious. The magic of SMP is that it is subtle and natural looking. The beauty of semi permanent is that as one loses more hair, the pattern, density and area of SMP coverage can be modified. This cannot be done if one has a permanent pigment already in place.

Medications are helpful in preventing genetic balding. They are not required though in order to use permanent SMP. I think the key to using permanent is that one feels that the hair loss is more “stable’. One can never be 100% certain that no more hair loss will occur. Still, as hair restoration physicians we try to determine what is in the patient’s best interest. A young patient with early hair loss will most likely develop worsening loss over time. This is especially true of one who is not on meds. An older patient without loss over the last few years or a patient who has been on meds for years without much more loss have a more “stable” picture of their hair loss. These “stable” patients, in my opinion are better candidates for permanent SMP.

At Shapiro Medical we feel that SMP should be tailored to what is in the patient’s best interest. Having said that, in the near future, we will also be doing permanent SMP in addition to semi permanent depending on the patient’s needs.

Dr. David Josephitis
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David
Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Coalition Hair Loss Learning Center, and the Hair Loss Q & A Blog.

To share ideas with other hair loss sufferers visit the hair loss forum and social community.

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