What happens if Scalp Micropigmentation Turns Blue or Green?

[AnybodyKnowsMe]

Surely, someone has experienced this since these clinics have been around for a while, at least, in Europe.

Edited December 27, 2011 by AnybodyKnowsMe

[Blake Bloxham]

Hi,

 

Dr. Rassman does an excellent job addressing issues with the scalp micropigmentation (SMP) ink on his SMP site. Here's something he wrote specifically addressing the "blue/green fading" issue:

 

Don’t tattoos or pigment look green or blue?- There is always a potential change int he color of pigment over time. The pigment used for SMP is chosen to match the color and tone of shaved hair underneath ones skin. Despite variation in hair color most patients have a grayish (and greenish) tint after the hair is shaved from the dark roots of the hair showing through the layers of the dermis and epidermis. Much like how blood vessels appear green under the skin, the increased absorption of the red spectrum of light gives rise to this phenomenon explained by the trichromatic theory of color vision (i.e. if you absorb red you will perceive green). The light propagation through human tissue has also been modeled to show the greater decrease of red spectrum remission. In short, there is NO TRUE perception of black when the pigment is deposited beneath the skin. The greater depth of pigment deposit, the greater the potential change in color perception.

[AnybodyKnowsMe]

Thanks for the reply.

[youdontsay]

He doesn't answer the question though. The question wasn't whether it will look blue or green after its done. Rather, the question was whether like every other form of tatttooing known to man the colors will change over time.

 

In addition to this unanswered concern, what if you go grey a decade afterwards?

[Bill - Seemiller]

Youdontsay and Anybodyknowsme

 

I share your concern and I too would like to hear from someone who's had SMP years ago. Fading and ink discoloration is one of my major concerns, especially for those who have their entire scalp done.

 

Hopefully SMP consumers or SMP practitioners can chime in here.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Blake Bloxham]

This is one of the reasons I feel more comfortable with temporary SMP. If the ink (as youdon'tsay stated) is destined to change color over time, it only seems advantageous to also have it "fade away" with the color changed and be replaced with crisp, new, dark ink (which I believe involves a cycle of anywhere from 6 to 24 months).

[Dr. William Lindsey]

I agree. In fact I think that is a huge advantage of what Dr. Feller, myself, and others will have with the placement of inks in the superficial dermis which would last on the order of 1.5-2.5 years. ADDITIONALLY, and I put that in caps as its an important advantage too, placement in the superfical dermis is at a depth of about 0.5-0.9mm, well above root balls of existing and or transplanted hair follicles, saving them from injury from aggressive pigment placing.

 

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[snowman]

so is it a treatment you offer dr lindsey?

[Dr. William Lindsey]

We will be offering it starting in October almost certainly.

 

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

[Blake Bloxham]

We will be offering it starting in October almost certainly.

 

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

 

Very interesting!

 

Will you be performing the SMP yourself, or hiring a technician? I'm curious as to what the training process/time frame is like.

 

Additionally, are you planning on utilizing temporary or permanent ink?

[aaron1234]

We will be offering it starting in October almost certainly.

 

Dr. Lindsey McLean VA

 

 

Holy moly it's catching on!

[TakingThePlunge]

Dr. Lindsey,

 

This is very exciting news. I may be visiting you myself in the next year for a SMP consultation.

[AnybodyKnowsMe]

Dr. Lindsey,

 

What is the current price for treating the full head with this new temporary SMP?

 

Thanks,

AKM

[snowman]

i too would like to know what a price would be