MarkWestonHair

Have never seen a halo effect.  Have seen FUE where the extraction site is very white.  This is very difficult to cover.  Many times, this would be a two-step process.  If this is the case; the bright white areas would first need to be pigmented in the client's natural skin tone, followed by the points applied about 2-4 weeks later.  You can see in the example photos here that the donor area blends quite well if the donor area is not bright white.  Much of it depends on the natural color of the client's scalp as well as the skill of the surgeon.

As for a fade, again it depends on the severity of the donor area and the scar/scalp color.  You can visit my gallery to see examples of camouflaged strip scars and FUE camouflage (promotional  content removed) 

But keep in mind that since my System is a one-session application, the photos you see were taken immediately after the application  and will appear darker and the pigment color not yet cured and blended which takes about 2-4 weeks..  

A great example of The Weston System performed by our California Center owner, Michael Pichinte. Mr. Pichinte added density to this hair transplant recipient and camouflaged the thin areas on the crown and the FUE scars. The pigmentation is slightly behind the HT surgeon's uneven hairline on the left as opposed to the client's right side. The client was going to buzz down his hair slightly shorter to blend in the hairline that the HT surgeon mismatched in the front. Photo was taken immediately after this one-session only procedure.

Yes, you got it, 16 years old on the USS Wabash (replenishment ship) . My parents had to sign for me to enlist. And the Sergeant was there for a short time and was departing ship on next US portage.

The marines, specifically, do not permit for instance, sleeve tattoos. They recently updated their policies to permit some tattoos that were not visible. So don't confide in anyone that you have pigmentation on your head, as it is still a tattoo.

I know this for a fact because I had a Marines Sergeant Major that I performed my System on last year and he was very concerned about the end look. But all turned out well and he kept his "tattoo" to himself.

I was in the Navy in the late 1970's, the first thing I did when my ship docked in Hong Kong, I dodged off the ship to get my tattoos. My sergeant said "Weston, don't you dare come back with any tattoos." Needless to say, I did and very large on my arms. My sergeant made me pay for that. Enjoy the photo when I was 16 and in the Navy proudly displaying my tattoos.

A good tech should be able to distinguish the difference. The pores on the scalp are larger than those on the forehead skin among other characteristics. I can very easily pick out immediately where the hairline used to be. A barber would know this, as well as a good esthetician.

This is the problem why so many men have the same hairline with the multi-session scalp micropigmentation. The techs just don't know how to distinguish. Watch a few YouTube videos; they all draw out the same hairline.

Some beautiful results of The Weston System for African-American men done by our artist at the Atlanta Weston Center. The post two-month photo is of a gentleman with Alopecia.

If I understand you correctly, you are thinking of lowering your hairline with scalp miropigmentation? If that is correct, NEVER, NEVER lower your hairline with pigment below your natural one or the one the HT surgeon originally created for you.

This is because pigment "cures" differently in forehead skin than scalp skin, particularly scalps with scarring in recipient areas. You will end up with an off-color stripe in the front of your head. It may not be noticable immediately, but in several years to come it will be blatant.

I have attached an example of a scalp micropigmentation multi-session tech that did exactly this; dropped below what the HT surgeon originally created. You can see about 3/4 of an inch of pigment below the hairline.

Even if you wear your hair cut down, the "stripe" will eventually become a noticeable off-color being placed in the forehead skin. Don't do it, and don't let anyone talk you into it.

I would be happy to try and get in touch with him, as it has been quite a few years. However, would you kindly contact me through the email address on my website. I would never put a client's personal contact information out for public view.

According to domain registry records, they registered the domain name on January 7, 2014.

I don’t know where one member got 6 weeks from, but I would have said at least 12 months to allow the hair from the hair transplant to fully grow in and mature. At 6 weeks, you may be mostly healed from hair transplant surgery but most of the new hairs will have shed. If you undergo SMP, how will the practitioner know where to place the micro dots? But once the hair grows in, there’s no guesswork.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

Thanks Bill fror the additonal input. Some multi-session scalp pigmentation companies are over eager to get customers' money and tell them anything to do so. So I honestly believe Etownone was told that.

Without more information on the ink itself and its content, I will simply can NOT participate in something potentially hazardous to health. Mark, I would suggest you pay or submit your ink to a reputable government agency or independent lab to certify that the content and chemical make up for your ink is safe. Without current government oversee on these type of chemicals used by practitioners, it is very concerning. Consumers must and should know what they are putting on their head is safe - period. This goes for all SMP. I like your procedure simply because it is permanent and no maintenance, but safety first.

Understood, but my pigments are safe as I know all the ingredients that go into them and what those ingredients are derived from. There is no chemical makeup. They are also all vegan and contain no animal by-products. And yes, the FDA is supposed to be a "reputable government agency." That is why I had submitted my pigments to the FDA years ago. If I was afraid of what they would find, I certainly would not have volunteered them for screening. I have been an advocate of FDA approved pigments for scalp micropigmentation for years. Can't do anymore than that. Most commercially available pigments available in the US are banned in other countries such as the UK because of their chemical make-up, but most SMP-MS practitioners continue to use them anyway. You are certainly not expected to participate in anything you are leery of and your opinion is appreciated. Ahh, the grocery store, food labels are enough to make anyone go on a starvation diet......

Impressive result, but the scar is still showing from the sides. Maybe FUE in the scar is needed. However, in the middle there is no sign.

I think the results are quite good considering the raised and shiny condition of that area of the scar. Everyone must understand that scalp micropigmentation is not cosmetic surgery.......we cannot completely correct what an HT surgeon has left you with; this is a camouflage. The surgeon appeared to have been more heavy-handed on the sides. The scar tissue on the man's head is also pink, which obviously shows more on a man of color. The only other alternative would have been to tattoo the pink area of the scar first to match his natural scalp color, then at a later time apply the actual scalp micropigmentation. I have done this two-step procedure on may discolored scars.

Well, that makes more sense.

Thank you.

 

Now I can stop thinking about it and just wait till next year.

I would be happy to help you next year.

I am a tattoo artist of almost 50 years. It is not difficult to apply pigment to a scar with conventional tattoo methods. But I tried that decades ago and the results were below reproach. That's why I engineered and patented a needle for scalp micropigmentation. As I know from experience, a standard 3-round tattoo needle (smallest commercially available) will look like Sharpie points and will eventually migrate together for a solid fill.

Also, if you have dark hair, all commercial black tattoo inks are made with indigo blue. So you will end up with blue Sharpie-looking points. The scalp does not take ink/pigment like other parts of the body.

I require my clients to wait at least 18 months minimum; whether a FUT, FUE, strip scar or any HT surgery for that matter. There's alot going on under the scalp and just because it looks healed on the outside, there still is healing going on underneath.

Your body will see the needle and pigment as a new "injury." Too soon will prompt excess collagen production which will form over the pigment in the scar tissue making it looked faded and with a blue tone.

You can have it done as soon as you like, but the pigment will be absorbed and appear faded by the new collagen growth. You will have to go back time and time again. Although the SMP-MS (scalp micropigmentation multi-session) companies will tell you different, just be patient and don't waste your money. There is an HT doctor in California that does the HT and SMP at the same time just to pad his pockets.

HAIRTHERE: Second post shows a photo of a "permanent SMP" that faded within 10 months after the application of 4 sessions. The after photo is my one-session reapplication after 8 months.

HAIRTHERE: This third post shows before, immediately after and post 3 months after my corrective application of another "permanent SMP." Once again faded prematurely among other problems. What we see here is redness to the scalp that the client complained of 2 months after the first four applications. There was no sign of infection, but it was perplexing why this man's scalp was still red/pink after 2 months. The man contacted this well-known company numerous times, but his phone calls were blocked.

I made the decision to go ahead and correct the previous procedure (inset, lower left of photo). As can be seen, this man's corrective application is stellar post three months with no sign of redness.

Again, experience and technique play a large part in a proper outcome. There are some excellent "permanent SMP" technicians out there, but the fact remains that these "permanent SMP" multi-session applications do in fact fade. Some within a few months, others within a few years. And an off-color shadow is routinely left.

As for your mention of a PMU company flooding this field, I really wouldn't be concerned. I have been in this business since 2009 and have seen many start-up companies fail after only a few years. If one is not a well-established provider at this time, it is pointless for any new and recently trained individual to even attempt to enter the market. The worst of this is that these novice trainees will be ruining more mens' scalps.

HAIRTHERE: I will be posting several photos. The first one is of a "permanent SMP" that was mostly removed by laser. The color was not even completely removed, but blue/green hues remained behind. The after photo is my correction immediately after.

HAIRTHERE: Second post shows a photo of a "permanent SMP" that faded within 10 months after the application of 4 sessions. The after photo is my one-session reapplication after 8 months.

HAIRTHERE: Will be respondiing to your post when I can squeeze some time in. I have some photos that show the 5-7 year "permanent SMP" product does not completely disappear, but fades into a shadow. Some of these companies are claiming it lasts up to 10 years, but one who claims this hasn't even been in business more than 5 years. Lasering also does not completely remove the "permanent SMP" pigments. Again, I will post pics when I have time.

HAIRTHERE: I will be posting several photos. The first one is of a "permanent SMP" that was mostly removed by laser. The color was not even completely removed, but blue/green hues remained behind. The after photo is my correction immediately after.

HAIRTHERE: Will be respondiing to your post when I can squeeze some time in. I have some photos that show the 5-7 year "permanent SMP" product does not completely disappear, but fades into a shadow. Some of these companies are claiming it lasts up to 10 years, but one who claims this hasn't even been in business more than 5 years. Lasering also does not completely remove the "permanent SMP" pigments. Again, I will post pics when I have time.

HAIRTHERE: I would like to comment that the scalp micropigmentation providers that claim their "SMP" is permanent, really is not. What they are describing as "permanent," in fact only lasts 5-7 years and that is at the high end. As this man experienced, lasting only a few months. And yes, you are 100% correct about improper technique and/or application. Training is running rampant in the field and "professionals" are being turned out after a weekend training course. The "permanent SMP" is also temporary but providers claim lasting for a longer period of time. "Permanent" is defined as "lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely." Thank you for being honest about your System and the time it is expected to last. We need more honest practitioners in this field. Nice job, by the way.

So the pigment you use in your Smart Pigments are patented? Wouldn't having a system or pigment / ink require the ingredients to be listed out in order for it to be patented? Maybe I need to look at that patent for clarity. Also, what is the submitted FDA name in this under? Thanks again.

My pigments are not patented, I said they were (part) of my system. My method of application and needles are patented. The pigments were submitted voluntarily under Artistry Concepts. The only response you will get back is that the "FDA is not regulating tattoo pigments at this time." That's all they tell my office when we try and follow up but my office remains persistent. I have nothing to hide that's why I chose to submit them voluntarily. Pigments are not on their priority list at all at this time but I keep trying. The ingredients of my pigments are listed on the labels pursuant to Department of Health laws. But the specific carbon ingredients are not required or need to be disclosed.

Mark, I am wanting to get more information on your treatment but a BIG factor in this is the ingredients of your ink. I have researched your method and how you have patented your needles, etc. The main information for me is the INK. I want to know what the INK is made of in detail and not just "carbon" based. I've read enough on the horror story of others and possible correlation to illness on various threads so as a consumer, I would like to be able to know the detail make up of the ink I would get on my scalp. All food products go though FDA and labels are applied thus I expect the same in this industry. Can you provide the community more information other than "carbon" based and provide the "INGREDIENTS" section? Who has certified your ink as safe for use? I am interested in your procedure simply because it is permanent, but I want to be more educated on the actual ingredient I put in my body. Thanks for additional information.

If I posted my specific ingredients publically, I would be giving away part of my patented system. I am sure you can understand. Unfortunately, the FDA does not regulate tattoo inks/pigments nor cosmetic pigments. The FDA does however, regulate some of the ingredients used in cosmetic pigments, only because they are some of the same ingredients used in cosmetics. I have voluntarily submitted my pigments to the FDA almost seven years in an to attempt to set the standard for pigments used for scalp micropigmentation. (on my SMART Pigment page).

I do not utilize ink, I utilize pigment. I would suggest for more information visit my website regarding SMART Pigments or contact me personally. Reiterating much of the information that is on my website would be repetitive. You may also wish to see my post here:

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/187922-very-important-read-post2521063.html#post2521063

One of the problems is it's a new treatment and until we get enough number of people who had it done over x number of years,

I guess we will not know for sure.

 

Mark - I'm based in the U.K and cannot travel at the moment, thanks,

You say your inks are different many people say similar things I'm not disputing with you but how are we supposed to know what is safe and what will not cause us further harm...

 

Lorenzo - just to clear would you have smp again or recommend it, from your opinion?

Rashid36: I have been tattooing for over 40 years. I learned in Hong Kong and Thailand while in the Navy. There were no commercially-available pigments then, they all had to be made out of organic ingredients. I have tattooed everywhere on the body (with some restrictions, however) and have never seen cancer (at least with my work). I developed my own organic pigments in 1989 specifically for ladies' permanent cosmetics including using them on the scalp at that time for their thinning. So I have personally seen the results of my pigments for almost 30 years now. So that is plenty of time.

Yes, many providers do indicate that their pigments are different, but peruse their websites and look at their experience and backgrounds. Not one of them has a resume or bio posted with any related experience and 99% have never even picked up a tattoo machine before doing SMP-MS (scalp micropigmention multi-sessions). Their "different" pigments are commercially-purchased pigments relabeled with their own name.

Lorenzo: But in the end, anything is possible with the lifestyles that we all live now. The important thing is that hopefully you can go into remission.

MarkWestonHair

 

Mark I do not have an financial gain or loss sharing my story. Just to let you know I have a cousin and her husband (head of department) that are lymphoma specialists at the Mayo Clinic, so believe me I have asked alot of questions. I am not going to get into the details.

I got cancer soon after my smp, went into remission got smp again and the cancer returned. Now this could be coincidence but for me it is IMPORTANT to share my story. People can do whatever they want, to me it does not make a difference. As I stated before I have nothing to gain or lose.

Let me ask you a question. Do you guarantee on a contract your clients signs that SMP does not cause cancer? Probably not because nobody knows for sure and if someone get cancer after your SMP it could have nothing to do with it. I understand this is your living and you want to protect your investment. My intentions are not to hurt anyone or tell anyone not to do SMP. I said it before it was reading the same story by someone else and had never had cancer, I would get SMP done because I would say even if the odds are low, it could never happen to me. :confused:

I was just trying to submit additional information. I am not a doctor and cannot guarantee about the conventional SMP not causing cancer as I do not offer "SMP-MS." We all appreciate you sharing your story, as unfortunate as it is. The most important thing above all, is your health and hopefully remission.

I agree there is no clear evidence but is there any possibility of a link?

 

I respect doing smp is someone's livelihood as well as making a huge difference to many but the safety side needs to be discussed,

 

So from the way I see it,

 

the moment the ink is put on etc in the body it is recognised by the body as foreign and it starts to work against it/ to get rid of it

(even if it takes x no of years).

Then it goes thru your body, cells, bloodstream, clearing process by the body, does this have any type of effect as it is defiantly not natural.

 

Many people seem to be getting cancer now all these environmental things we have brought upon ourselves.

 

Please correct me as I have low donor supply and a large hair loss area.

My family history is nw7 so been around nw6 does not give me any confidence to risk ht/s.

 

Smp would be a great option for me if only it is safe...

 

Thanks

Only if the pigment is inorganic and not carbon-based may it be rejected. Our bodies are made up of 18% pure carbon, so there is no rejection of any carbon-based pigments. As many SMP-MS companies utilize inks that contain heavy metals, yes, these in fact can be rejected by the body. My pigments are carbon-based with no possibility of rejection, that's why I researched and engineered them for my System. I cannot, however, speak for other companies. Any provider you may consider, make sure they advise you of the ingredients. I say over and over, RESEARCH the company you may be considering and don't fall for a sales pitch. Look for good, solid information that is provable. And hopefully, they will tell you the truth. You are more than welcome to contact me at info@markwestonhair.com and send photos.

We are no longer in simpler times and many environmental conditions now cause cancer and other diseases.