Thunder

Congrats, sounds like you are happy with your results.

 

I use Lubriderm, no fragrance, daily moisture lotion.

I shave with Wahl Clippers, no guard.

I wash my head with either Dial soap, or face wash.

I have that lotion as well. I was going to by the Wahl balding clippers, but I don't think they cut close enough, so I bought a Panasonic 19.00 foil shaver from CVS and that thing cuts close! Almost like a wet shave.

Dial soap, interesting. I read about someone using baby shampoo. I have to ask Matt. I keep bothering him about what to do and what not to do so I don't accidently screw up my SMP.

hi guys

 

i think the two best options are either Matthew Iulo at headstrong ny or Graig at HIS.

 

Both those guys are the most seasoned, ive met a couple of guys that had been treated by Matt and they all looked flawless. Matt used to run the NYC and Miami clinics for HIS but left recently for his own place.

 

if you go to HIS id request Graig. Best of luck, im going in for a consult soon at Headstrong ill let you know how it goes if you havent made a decision by then

I have read that Graig is the best practitioner at the HIS NY Clinic, the problem is, there is no guarantee that you can request him, you are assigned a practitioner to my knowledge. You can get Graig one session, and session two can be with another person. Downside in my opinion. Let me know how your consultation goes. I will be posting my session 2 pics soon.

Hey there whoknows01,

HIS Hair is a great company, they have clinics all over the world including the United States. I looked into them, actually had a consultation set up with them. I read their forums religiously for a year.

The one thing I would look into if you choose HIS is that they do have a tendency to have different practitioners who complete each of the sessions you go for. For instance if you were to go to the NYC clinc, and are quoted 3 sessions, one session might be with Greg, one might be with Orion, and the other could be with Jonathan.

Their methodology is that all practitioners are the same, and receive the same training. Receiving the same training is all well and good, but every practitioner is different, not cookie cutter. If you haven't scoured their forum section of their website, it is a wealth of knowledge on SMP.

Hey Ken,

I had my 2nd session on Thursday. Waiting for the redness to subside before I post pictures. Not sure if I am going to book a third session, would it be prudent to wait a month or so for things to settle ? Overall, I made a few minor tweaks but I am happy with the second result.

About dot size. From what I have read on HIS forums, initially applying small dots in the first session is not good, dots need to settle, and if they get too small before adding the density in the second session, then you get the smudged look effect if you will. Having what people describe as large dots in the beginning is very normal, and to my knowledge and research, those large dots settle down to a size that is supposed to replicate the hair follicle, in between the settling, your second session occurs, if the dots are applied way to small, then the practitioner winds up putting dots on top of dots, if that makes sense.

In regards to my "dot size", I can tell you mine have substantially decreased in size in the 8 day hiatus between my first and second.

Ken, what kind of moisturizer, shampoo, and shaver do you use ? Do you wet shave against the grain? Have a rotary shaver? Foil ? Just trying to figure out what gives me the best results. I bought a cheap foil shaver Panasonic and it shaves to the bone, very close to a wet shave. But it broke after 2 weeks.

that looks good so far Thunder... let us know how your second session goes..

 

by the way where is the Headstrong NY clinic located..is it manhattan?

 

_sal

Thank you very much for the compliment. I will let everyone know how it went. Yes it is located in Manhattan.

Yea, I was not directing these suggestions toward you, as you have obviously already committed to smp and paid your money, and are far past the point of asking preliminary questions such as these. These were suggestions for others who are seeking a provider.

You can definitely find out specifics on the pigments used, by law the clinic must provide you your chart.

At the behest of sounding like I am promoting Headstrong, I have to say they have answered every question I have asked, so transparency is not an issue. But I am very glad you brought up that question that I didn't think to ask about the composition of the ink/pigment.

Yes I am invested. There is no turning back now lol. I will keep you updated as to my progress. Biggest fear - being called out. Is it normal to want to make subtle changes after your first session ?

Things that I didn't have to ask when I had my first treatment:

1) Matt's background is common knowledge which is verifiable. Again not a HIS advocate but his resume was built on their business name.

2) See # 1

3) This was told to me in my consultation with Matt, Headstrong is board certified and licensed in the State of NY and NYC, this can be verified through a NY business license search which I verified.

4) I watched Matt take out a new needle from the package when he did his procedure at my consultation (part of my consultation) and it was mentioned in the consultation.

5) Good question.

6) I know the numbers but not the semantics of the pigments. I will ask. The numbers were listed on my after care sheet, but I didn't notice them.

Yes definitely, you have every right to express your opinion of his SMP results, especially since he did ask members for feedback on his photos. Some people do get defensive, while others are able to handle the constructive criticism. Honestly, I did not notice that Thunder's dots looked too large, but I really didn't examine very closely. It does seem to have a brown tint to it, so would be interested to know what shade of pigment was used. I agree that it would be nice to see more smp results on this forum. I am just not willing to post my photos for the world to see, and I do not disclose which Clinic I used for the simple fact that I am not here to advertise for my provider, and honestly they do not need me to do so.

I am beginning to believe that Headstrong may have a direct affiliation with HIS Hair. I have noticed some of the known HIS shills promoting them on another forum.

As far as the dots shrinking, I have seen photo progressions of HIS Hair's SMP dots shrinking on client's heads 2-4 weeks post smp.

You know I just spit out my drink, you suspect that Matt and Headstrong are affiliated ? HIS Hair is huge Ken, with over 20 clinics worldwide, why on earth would they be in cahoots if their one of their most revered practitioner left to open up his own company, HIS doesn't need HeadStrong, and vice versa, case in point (link removed by moderator)

But thank you for educating Spanker as being a person who has had SMP and could relate to the "dot size" theory. And yes, I know what # pigments were used as it is listed on my aftercare instructions, I just didn't notice it. As far as HIS shills, I have no affiliation with anyone but me. I cannot reiterate that more.

Spanker, my dots and redness have significantly decreased in size after six days post first session. With that being said, just like hair transplants, things need to settle, like FUE the body needs to accept the new grafts being implanted into the scalp so they can keep on growing, I am sure you know that. With SMP, although the semantics are different, things also need to settle down, the picture you commented on was early post 1st treatment on a virgin scalp, so it may appear to be very large to you, but in person and after the redness subsides, the replicated follicles do take shape, at least that has been my personal experience.

I have two more sessions, and as I apologized in my email for being defensive, after I have my third and final session, and things settle, I will have someone take pictures for me, high resolution, so you can see my results, if you still disagree and opine that my dots are too large, that is fine, after all, I have to wear it. But the feedback I have gotten so far is that in person it looks very natural.

Thunder

I guess Wylie blocked me because I didn't see his response about dot size. From what I gather and I did notice this, dot size depends on the pressure of the person who is performing the treatment, your scalp, and a couple of other reasons.

I had a virgin scalp. Kojak to the bone. The redness and dots being large go hand in hand, once the ink starts to settle, you let your head breath, the rendess goes down, and the dots shrink as time goes on, I am on day 5 and have compared my day one pics immediately after my procedure to today and the dots or replicated follicles have most definitely decreased in size.

As to how it adds density? The more sessions, the more replicated follicles, and if they shrink to the size of your real hair follicle, that gives the illusion that SMP is all about, I agree it is for people who shave their head, not diffuse thinning.

I was told, or what I gather that fading is either: your immune system, improper insertion into the dermis, failure to follow after-care guidelines, practitioner error (diluted pigment), or as you said UV exposure. What do you do in the summer when you go to the beach ? Cover your whole head with sun block?

As far as Matt's technique, I really don't know the technicality or semantics as to his approach, the kind of ink/pigment (should I ask?) when I see him Thursday? It kind of puts me at ease to hear that I am in good hands, I mean I am realistic, I am a Norwood 6-7, will never have a full head of hair, so having the shaved head look to me is a huge step up, to others well to each their own.

I shave my head anyway, so what do I have to lose ? I have read threads on HIS about unhappy clients, I see sometimes they shift the blame to the client for wanting something that was against the practitioners advice, like going to dark, or having an unnatural hairline, and that confusing warranty they have. I also read threads where the Moderator agrees with someone who shoes irrefutable proof of three sessions and a non-finished product, but again who knows the cause of the fading.

Here is Day 5. It is darker in person, but the dots shrunk. No more redness. Again another selfie with the lighting, bad picture taking.

Interesting....The exact mantra that many HIS forum members and HIS forum Shills repeat over and over.

Hey I wouldn't be so dramatic lol, I am a HIS forum member, you have to admit they have a plethora of information for people who don't know about SMP.

I can only speak for myself but I represent me only. I cannot see a company like HIS having shills unless I am oblivious. Arguably, they are the biggest SMP racket on the market now and from what I have seen their marketing skills are good, but what your telling me their approach is more temporary etc.

Ken, I couldn't agree with you more, seeing it in person is paramount. A lot of people on the HIS forum love to criticize and theorize about the if's and what's but they won't get up and go see it in person.

I am intrigued by your opinion/theory about HIS Hair and their fading rate, return of customers, lasting SMP results. I know we started out as your theory of me being a company lackey lol but truly, giving Matt credit, everyone I had met offline was done by Matt, and the longest lasting result that still looked good after three treatment was three years.

I am not sure when Matt made the transition at HIS from practitioner to HIS Administrative (Not sure what title he held). I will tell you that Matt does things differently, and the way he is going about my sessions is a polar opposite of what you described at HIS. I am excited to see what my after session 2 will look like.

Quality control. Seriously, contacting England every time there is a problem ? That is where the calls are routed too, you cannot contact the clinic directly, that kind of turned me off. That and as you mentioned the practitioner placement and not knowing their resume.

At the behest of not sounding like I am selling the company I went too, because I am not, Matt is well known as I have seen in person the results of his work. He is good, and his resume is basically online, I guess HIS can't let go lol. I am happy so far as it is a change in how I looked before, for the better. I don't want multiple people working on my head, I want one practitioner to see my sessions from start to finish.

I can imagine the millions HIS makes, and my hearts go out reading the stories on the forum of men who have traveled and spent so much money only to not be happy, so their customer service should be on par.

Don't pay the HT boosters any mind. They have their own agenda, and that agenda is all about making people doubt smp so they won't see it in person and become believers. Once you see it for yourself, you realize that it is a significant improvement to being bald, and is completely undetectable. My consultant at the clinic I went to allowed me to view his scalp under a magnifying glass and it was incredible that I still could not tell that these dots were not real hair follicles. I was sold at that point, and you and I both know that if others took the time to see smp in person they would be sold as well.

Your SMP results look great! I do not notice that the dots are too big, but it can be difficult to tell from photos, and as you mentioned, the dots do shrink throughout the healing process so no worries there. I like the hairline as well, very natural and strong as well. It looks like you did a bit of a broken hairline, am I correct on that? Also it looks like you added smp on your temples or side profiles? I like that style, makes smp look more like a haircut. The place I went to does not normally do work on the temples, and I did not have my temples done. I do have recession in those areas so may have those areas done when I go for enhancement.

Thank you for the encouragement and the compliments, I must of emailed Matt about 30 photos of hairlines that I liked, it ranged from feathered, to broken, the whole gammet, I just wasn't sure what would fit my face. HIS was a great reference since they have so many case studies to choose from.

I told Matt I did not want the straight line hairline with the zig zag temples because at my age and my ethnicity, skin tone, hair color, etc I would stick out like a sore thumb. I actually asked for his advice and Matt drew the hairline as well as the temples and I liked the way it looked. I might bring down the hairline a smidge, but I have been relying on Matt's experience and artistic ability.

I asked for conservative, and lets start from there. We can always add to it or tweak it if necessary and he agreed. If I bring down the hairline a smidge, I am going to break it up a bit. But so far I think I look a lot better then I did with no hair and a horseshoe! What I find weird is how the camera plays tricks on you depending on the lighting. In reality, the replicated follicles are black, but in some pics they look brown.

I read your other thread, I didn't realize HIS charged that much money. They would never say a word about how much they charge until you get to the consultation. And I have seen the diaries of some customers who opt to go for six to seven sessions. I think that is a bit crazy, unless there is an issue with retaining the pigment (immune system) etc. I was told that it would take three sessions to achieve the look that I wanted. All I can do now is see how things go.

TheBottom thank you very much for clarifying how SMP is carried out, in sessions. I feel great, I like the look and the replicated follicles are shrinking. I went hatless today and it was liberating.

I shouldn't of went on the defensive with Spanker and Wylie, that was out of character for me, but they must know that my end result will be fantastic, and when I achieve that, then I will post the professional pics for their scrutiny.

I want to add that SMP is much easier to verse via laser vs. a FUE procedure. A FUE procedure requires slits in the scalp where the grafts are placed, and just like SMP has some issues with fading, FUE covers less density and has the possibility of shedding. I guess whatever makes the person happy.

What Spanker saw today was nothing close to being finished. And I do apologize if I got defensive.

I was actually going to do a side by side comparison for you if your head and an ultra refined smp session to show you what I meant but you removed your photos. If you decide to put them back up, I'll show you what I mean. Wylie and I were trying to save you some additional heart ache, but apparently you didn't come for advice. However, since you stayed the person you went to, I still feel justified in commenting because someone researching this in the future should not think that is as good as smp gets.

Spanker, most of the SMP pictures you see are taken by professional photographers. Mine were taken with my cell phone that is # 1. # 2, I didn't come here for advice, I came here to share my experience with SMP which I have researched immensely. I am glad I am not a candidate for hair transplantation, but to each his own, if that is what you endorse, may your commissions be plenty. As far as the first session and knowledge of SMP in general, I would surmise to say that you are lacking by just going by side by side photos. But I am not here to argue. The Chicago Hair Clinic to my knowledge does not perform SMP procedures, so if you base your knowledge off of photos, then maybe you should apply the same rationale for your hair transplant marketing tactics. Have a great day.

Honestly, youre absolutely right, and I am in no position to judge people's motives, especially when it is just speculation anyway. I have just grown weary of seeing SMP businesses advertise in sneaky ways, and there are a lot of them out there as I'm sure you have discovered, but I apologize to you for grouping you into that category. I am glad that you had a good experience with HeadStrong, and I actually learned of Matt from reading the HIS Hair forum and all of the glowing reviews he received and the shear panic that ensued as soon as it was announced that Matt was leaving HIS. He is apparently one of the best and knowledgeable practitioners out there. I am not a HIS client, but I read the HIS forum from time to time b/c, even though I am skeptical of the permanence of HIS' method, the HIS forum provides a lot of good information and guides on living with smp like shaving tips, lotions, etc. I definitely agree with you that people don't seem to understand SMP. There is such a misconception that it will be noticeable and people will be able to tell, but I agree with you that If it is done correctly an SMP'd head and a shaved head (of someone with full hair) will look basically identical but the SMP'd head will look better due to defined hairline(just my opinion). Plus you have got the HT pushers who dont want smp to succeed, even though many HT docs have now started offering smp services.

Mine is holding up well after a few years. It is honestly amazing that after smp you are not known as "the bald guy" but as "the guy with the shaved head." I had a woman tell me that I looked exactly like a guy she knew, a guy whom I am familiar with, and the guy has a full head of hair. It is simply amazing how some people no longer think of you as bald after smp.

Your results look really good, and I am glad you had a good experience with Headstrong and Matt. Also glad you are sharing your experience and getting the truth out there regarding SMP.

The only bad experience I have had with SMP so far has been on here, there have been several people one of which who is an open marketer for a Chicago Hair Clinic who said "the dots are too big" and another poster who had several hair transplants and then a temporary SMP procedure that went wrong.

I learned so much reading the HIS forums, mainly because it is dedicated to SMP. It is funny how the anti-SMP/Pro Hair Transplant FUE keyboard warriors do not realize that a good majority of SMP is scar work, scars from FUE and Strip procedures, so it is not just relegated to us bald guys.

I guess I chose the wrong forum to post on, I mean I am five days in, and I am hatless, the follicle/dots have shrunk, no more redness and I shaved my sides and back and saw the framework for session two. I mean I already ran into my neighbor who said absolutely nothing not even looked at my head which was my biggest fear of being outed.

I am glad your procedure is holding up. SMP is not witch craft or a head tattoo, I just people would educate themselves before chastising others. To each his or her own, I am happy and that is all that counts at the end of the day.

1) Actually..... you referenced Your Clinic specifically in your second post along with your photos and experience/testimony/sales pitch. Your advertisement of HeadStrong was not in response to any inquiry

 

2) Your questioning of my knowledge of Matt:

"because I find it odd that you knew the practitioner that I am working with",

Your answer to your own Suspicion:

"HIS is a HUGE player in SMP around the world, "

"I think Matt, who did come from HIS has a verifiable resume as he was pretty much very involved with marketing with them. "

 

3) The SMP business I am a client of (which shall remain nameless b/c Im not here to advertise or make money) has over 5 years of experience, and the practitioner who performed my smp has over 7 years of experience.

 

4)Why am I here? I like to share my knowledge (the little and basic smp knowledge and experience that I have) and SMP experience with potential clients who are in the same boat as I was. It is tough to learn the truth about SMP, what with all of the bogus undercover posting that goes on. I am also here to stay current on the developments and advances in the SMP field and industry, this forum is a wonderful tool for that.

I am ABSOLUTELY NOT HERE to advertise for any SMP business, so you will never see me promote the clinic I am a client of.

 

PS: I definitely agree with you on the point of Clinic location being a key factor. SMP is a process and something that must be maintained over the years, so having an SMP location within driving distance or close proximity of your residence is a huge advantage.

Sorry, not a sales pitch, and I would not sway anyone to go to one place or another. I based my decision on what I saw in person. I am not here to advertise as well, I want to document my journey, and I am sorry if you feel that I am being a little to overzealous which in your mind is me trying to make money? Not the case at all. I think most people who have procedures advertise where they have had it done. I have scene good work at a few companies, but they were out of the USA, or only had one clinic in the USA. My comments of Matt are true, I didn't get my treatment at HIS, I chose not too, that should tell you something, I did based upon the results I have seen, in person. On another note, it seems like there is an abundance of anti-SMP people on this forum. Maybe they don't understand it ?

Your # 4 I am here for the same reason. So you have had SMP, how is yours holding up ?

The dots will become smaller? Really? Can you explain what you mean? All I can figure out from this statement is you think the addition of SMP will give an illusion of density, thereby making the dots look smaller. However, what makes you think future sessions will result in the addition of ink being anything other than the size dots that are already there?

 

 

 

Relying on magic for the desired result is not a good game plan.

 

 

 

I don't promote anyone, only document my experiences as honestly and unbiased as I can. And I have documented my own experience with SMP as well.

Wiley I just read your thread about your temporary SMP experience. Looks like it didn't go so well. That is what happens when you have multiple hair transplant failures that leave you with scarring, and then you go to a place which does not have practitioners who can handle a roughed up head like yours. But hey, at least they had good customer service! Maybe you should of researched it more instead of spending all this money on nonsense. But in the end, I hope you find happiness, either a toupe or a hair system.

Thunder, i think that looks very good for a start. hairline shape fits your head very well. anyone that follows SMP knows that it is a process and that the dots will become smaller and the density will be added.

 

look forward to seeing your 2nd session photos, i heard thats where the magic happens. good start so far.

 

also, i wouldnt pay much mind to the above opinions, they come from two posters who promote Hair transplant doctors- so of course they have a hidden agenda

 

_sal

Trust me I have thick skin. And I know they are both ignorant to SMP, actually they are intimidated because more men and women are opting to not get hair transplants.

I know I am in good hands. The second session will be a good one. Dr. Bernstein, or Hasson and Wong couldn't convince me to go under the knife, these two certainly don't intimidate me. I have no agenda. This is an SMP forum and I am here to share my experiences, I know the in's and out's of SMP and what to expect and it sounds like you do too.

This doesn't look like super refined work to me at all. Is this temp smp or permanent? The dots like too large imo.

It is my first session. The ink and replicated follicles are still settling as well as the redness is subsiding. This is not a one session process. There is healing involved. I have no doubt that the finished product will be super refined once healed properly. Also, the camera from my phone is fairly close to my head. But thank you for your opinion.

Temporary ? No. Very few places offer this option and I would not opt to do it.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying. With regards to location. I have read on multiple forums of people traveling out of country and state to go for SMP. Sorry, but I would rather to be closer to a clinic then have to travel, just my opinion, especially with regards to the longevity of the results as you stated. That was something I questioned early on like what if something goes wrong ? I have to fly back and forth ? More $, more sessions, more cynicism.

As far as advertising tactics, I really haven't seen anything sketchy with SMP. However, I did have tattoo removal on a half sleeve a few years ago, and that is very expensive, I did catch a company that had the same before and after pics of a Dermatologist that I ultimately went too for the laser removal so they stole his pictures.

This is a forum, I am also a member of another forum. Everyone is on here for the same reason, hair loss. Many people choose to sit here and read, and yes have a right to be skeptical, but I am a Norwood 6/7 who decided to tell my story, my photos are 100% real and photo dated and I actually enjoy documenting my experience since I spent so many years hiding under a hat, I wouldn't call that a sob story, that probably is the silent majority of people on here. I decided NOT to live vicariously through the others and do something about it.

My hair loss spanned ten years, if I was desperate, ten years ago I would of done something, I didn't, researching anything in life I think would be common sense, especially when it comes to hair loss, I referenced the specific clinic because I find it odd that you knew the practitioner that I am working with, I am by no means endorsing anything but my own personal transformation. HIS is a great company and you don't see me bashing them. I am familiar with their clinics, locations, owner, etc, why? HIS is a HUGE player in SMP around the world. The only thing I disagree with is that a company may have (5) years verifiable experience, but how about their practitioners? I think Matt, who did come from HIS has a verifiable resume as he was pretty much very involved with marketing with them.

I will tell you skeptical or not, that today is Day 3 and I went out without a hat, actually I will post a few pics of three days post treatment in sunlight.

Hair loss is a personal battle for some people, if you cannot agree with me on that, then why be on this forum ? With all due respect, and I say this respectfully, why are you here ? I am here to post about MY experience with SMP, and yes I did name the company and practitioner, I trust the people contemplating this procedure are adults, and they can decide what they want and who and where to go to.

Hey thank you very much. Yes I have a great experience thus far with Matt Iulo. It is now Day 3 of my first session with Matt, the redness has subsided and I still am looking in the mirror and taking selfies lol. My 2nd session is this upcoming Thursday. I will post some pics later. If you have any questions about the procedure, feel free to ask or send me a PM.

Saw your photos, results look pretty good so far. A bit on the lighter side, but I imagine you will increase density and maybe just the lighting in the photo, can be difficult to tell, but looks pretty good. Yes, you are correct, Matt was in high demand at HIS, I know many were sorry to see him leave. He will be a good selling point for you guys.

Thank you for the compliment. I am still in the shock and awe phase that I actually went through with this. I think the lighting in the pictures has a lot to do with it, all of them were selfies which I took. I can tell you that I have been inspecting my head quite frequently and it appears darker in person, looking in the mirror. I guess the naked eye is better then a shutter lens.

I believe my next session will be density and tweaking the hairline, I asked Matt to add that little scar in the hair line because I think it looks realistic and bad ass. From what I have read in the forums, prior to meeting him, Matt was the go to guy when things needed to be sorted out. Out of everyone that I met, Matt wound up being their practitioner, so I really wanted him to do my procedure but I couldn't find him. It was a matter of happenstance that by word of mouth I found out he opened his own company. I know that sounds cliche but trust me, after reading so many people wanting to get in touch with Matt and him not being around, I can honestly say I have access to him fairly quickly, and I am not saying that to promote HeadStrongNY, because this is about my journey of happiness, and that is sincere. I have been letting baldness dictate my life for the past ten years.

I think most would agree that having one person weather it be Matt, or someone else seeing your treatment from start to finish is not an unreasonable thing to ask.

If there is any suggestions you have about my photos I am up for some brutal honesty? Does it look natural? Did I choose the right hairline ? Appreciate the assessment.

Whoa, Easy slick, don't go overboard! It's almost as if you work for this place Headstrong.

Respectfully, not going overboard at all. I have researched SMP for close to a year, educated myself and have found consistently that Matt was in demand. I just had my first session yesterday, posted my pics, so I don't "work for them".

There was a reason why you made that comment "Oh that is where he went". Reading posts on other forums prior to getting my first treatment, a lot of former clients and future clients wondered where Matt disappeared too. I am happy with the service I received so far, and that is why I am sharing my experience on here. Ask me this a year ago and I would of told you the idea of SMP was crazy. My research and due diligence further strengthens my point. Take a look at my before and after pictures. I am just a client.