The idea is great. I remember wondering whether or not SMP was done with permanent or non-permanent ink when I first read about the procedure, and thought how advantageous a temporary "scalp tinting" or semi-permanent topical would be for patients.

Good luck Spex! Please, keep us updated.

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Blake (Future_HT_Doc)

Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum

All opinions are my own and my advice should not constitute as medical advice.

Wait, so do you know what the results will look like five or ten years from now?

cargo65,

The type of SMP that Beauty Medical practices is temporary. The ink fades over time. Their site says the optical effect could begin to decline from the sixth to eighth month post treatment. After two years, not a trace will remain. Therefore, one will have to get regular touch-ups to maintain the optimum illusion consistently. My guess is once per year on average, but that will vary patient-to-patient.

z

I can't say for sure with the other SMP clinics but I do know HIS hair and Dr. Rasmassan (Dr. Pak too) both indicated that one of the main differences between SMP and a regular tattoo is the depth that they go into the dermis. Regular tattoos go deeper into the tissue for better permanancy but because of that are also prone to the ink "bleeding out" which is what causes the decrease in detail aka "smudging" effect.

HIS hair clinics also readily admits that you may need touch ups at four or five year marks to keep optimal results (dependent on over exposure to the sun, sunscreen protection, etc.). If people are getting three or four transplants through a lifetime, I don't see the trouble in doing SMP touch ups (at a much lesser cost I might add) for those who are fine with sporting a shaved look.