SMP Consultation Request Results

[Time to do something]

For what it is worth I sent emails to Good Look Ink, New Hair Institute (Dr. Rassman) and HIS early last week with some questions about their procedure. None of them responded so I sent a second email asking what the typical turnaround time was for a response. The only one that has responded is Good Look Ink and they won’t answer questions in writing they want to answer it over the phone which raises an eyebrow. If I go through with this I hope the procedure is better than their customer service.

[Blake Bloxham]

Dr. Rassman/NHI didn't respond?

 

Frankly, I wouldn't be too concerned by this or by clinics stating that they would prefer to consult with you over the phone. However, I'd say getting a "strange" feeling during the consultation itself would be a cause for concern.

 

I hope you'll keep us updated. I know many of our members are interested in researching SMP.

[Time to do something]

No Dr. Rassman's office never responded. I wouldn't be concerned about GLI not wanting to answer my questions in writting if I hadn't already had a phone consultation and a face to face meeting with the owner. These were just follow up questions.

[scar5]

Time.

 

I know you already prolly know this stuff, so anyway..

 

I think there are two responses. The personal, when they look at your pictures or requests and create real unique sentences for you. And the general, generic response, where they frame you inside their marketing approach and give you the standard treatment, so that when you call you will go through the usual tricks and traps.

 

Rassman will respond personally and generically. I suspect the the latter will be brutal disclaimers, the former, more hopeful. GLI, on the other hand, both hopeful. HIS also hopeful. You already know the deal with HT docs and the way they answer questions - the way they tend to do it in order to keep functioning smoothly and limit expectations..so hang in their. Rassman has told me one or two gems about SMP. GLI want you to call to align you with their sales routine. Call and have the questions ready, anticipate the answers and have counter-questions but again, being a personal consult, you do not have time to consider what is being said to you in the light of day, so that you can respond emotionally and they do it everyday! That's why they gettcha in a spin with them. But even so, GLI also told me, in the midst of that spin, on or two gems. HIS also told me a nugget or two. You will go on the GLI data base and get the propoganda which is fine. HIS and GLI have forums, as you know. What do you think of them?

 

So I wonder time, what ur questions r gonna b like. I bet they are gems too. Remember they can smell trouble a mile away, they have to!

[Time to do something]

Scar5-I'd love to to know what the gems were you learned about. This may help me make up my mind whether I want to go through with this and if so which facility. Please private message me if you'd rather communicate that way. I haven't really formed an opinion of any of the three I requested information from. I will say from the examples I saw on HIS website the hairlines looked a little severe to me. I'll post the questions I sent them below.

 

1. Approximately how long will the ink last before a touch up is needed?

2. If the ink fades does it just lighten or does it turn a different color?

3. If it fades will it stay sharp or does it blur?

4. Will the ink bleed?

5. Is detail given to the hairline to taper and feather it so it is not a harsh hairline which looks like an ink helmet?

6. Will the dots be small and far enough apart to look natural?

7. Can a 3D effect be accomplished so it doesn’t look flat and one dimensional?

8. Will care be taken to place the dots between the hair and not on it or close enough to it to damage a hair follicle?

9. Will this procedure cause shock loss?

10. Can gray be sprinkled in with it?

11. I have hair and won’t require as many dots as a bald individual and I’m only covering a small area- ? of the front top of my scalp, will the procedure be priced accordingly vs. a full head procedure?

12. What would I need to do to prep for this procedure?

13. What would the approximate cost be?

14. Will the color be matched to my own hair?

15. Will more than one session be required and if so how far apart?

16. How much do touch ups cost?

[scar5]

OK..

Good start.

U already know what the answers to the, 'Will I look stupid and regret this' or the 'are you a lazy despicable scum-type company?' type questions are gonna b like, but why not ask anyway? See question 6 'is it natural' or q 8, "Will care be taken...?' But in fact, q 8 is a real question a patient never knows the answer to, and I guarantee you, care WILL NOT be taken, it isn't economically viable to do it like that. Shock loss, I mean, if u get shockloss, would you consider not doing SMP? It wouldn't stop me. But how they answer the tapered hairline question will be interesting. Will they spin you the, 'yeah, well, some of our customers like hip-hop so we give 'em sharp lines' excuse for a poor transition zone on most of their heads.

Will grey be sprinkled in? Well, grey is what you are gonna get primarily, so I don't think that is relevant, although let's see how they answer.

Edited May 8, 2012 by scar5

[Time to do something]

My understanding is the process was done deeper under the skin in the past than it is now so damaging the follicle should not be a problem. Shockloss wouldn't prevent me from having SMP however, I'd like to know if that is a possibility so I'm prepared for it and know what is going on. Are there any other questions you beleive I should ask?

[HARIRI]

Check out Dr. M. Lardi from Italy. I was told her Micro scalp Pigmentation is the best and her ink doesnt turn to green or fade. Give it try and send your pics for consultation. She is using special

pigments added to the skin developed by Golden Eye (The micropigmentation company) as a

durable method of camouflage, Check out their website.

[Time to do something]

As much as I’d like a trip to Italy that is not in my budget. If this is the person in Milan I’ve already heard about her and I’m sure she does beautiful work. If the ink she is using is superior any thoughts on why facilities here in the U.S. aren’t using it? Golden Eye doesn’t sound like an Italian Company so I'm guessing she gets her pigments from here. I wonder if they are so much better if a facility state side would consider using pigments from that company? I’m told the places I contacted don’t use inks that change colors either. They may fade but don’t turn an odd color.

[NEWHAIRPLEASE]

Time

Just out of curiosity why are you wanting SMP?? Ive seen you've had a lot of work done including two procedures by Dr Shapiro ? What are you trying to accomplish with SMP?? Scar or whole scalp??

[Time to do something]

If you follow my previous posts you will understand. I don't have cosmetically acceptable density due to the terrible results from the first two surgeries with the first doctor. I need something to lessen the contrast between scalp and hair to make it look fuller and SMP won't wash out while swimming and need to be applied daily. I don't beleive my scar is too bad. I just need the appearance of more density. I only need it in the top/front 2/3 of my scalp.

[HARIRI]

If Scar, I agree... I personally think after the scar revision is either to FUE my revised scar or micro scalp tatoo it. But if you consider scalp I dont really recommend it. It looks fake no matter how its done.

[Time to do something]

How many individuals have you seen in person who have had it done? Were they individuals with or without hair? I've seen several with and without hair and in my opinion unless I was told they had it done I'd have never known. Hair transplant doctors are now recommending it for patients with limited donor supply that want to beef up the apperance of density.

[HARIRI]

I would say you better try BHT first with Umar or Shapiro if you are in the US. Leave SMP at the end.

[Time to do something]

BHT are far riskier in my opinion with an even lower yield that traditional hair transplants. My question still stands, how many individuals have you seen in person who have had SMP? Thanks

[Time to do something]

Just as important, if you have seen individuals with SMP which facility did it? That can make a huge difference. I agree some look fake and terrible. However there are a handful of companies out there providing a very natural look.

[HARIRI]

I saw two patients in Dubai from HIS clinic. Great work but does not look natural to me especially the hairline guy, the crown guy was ok as its not obvious. Maybe because i have a sharp eye and know about the technique and HT stuff. But if it was someone who is not knowledgeable about this stuff, he might buy it. I believe that HIS clinic is the top SMP clinic in the world by now. They have a very informative website. Check it out. However SMP for hairline is a big NO to me. Just use it for crown and scars if you insist to.

[Time to do something]

I agree! Of the three companies I'm looking at in my opinion HIS had the least natural looking hairlines. They looked too severe. The other two I'm looking at appear to have the faded hairline down. NHI and GLI have produced some great faded hairlines from what I've seen. I've seen a few guys in person who were products of GLI. I do agree that one must be very careful with the hairline. NHI is supervised by a doctor and the doctor who did my hair transplant said he would supervise if I had it done at GLI since it is close to him.

[HARIRI]

If I were in your place. I would go to NHI, atleast Dr. Rassman is a recommended doctor and you will be be protected as he is a coalition member of the network. I know that they may not be experienced in this type of technology but I still feel NHI is the place to be.

[Time to do something]

I'm leaning in that direction (NHI). However, I've contacted them twice for information in the past ten days and heard nothing. I have another phone consultation with GLI this afternoon.

[HARIRI]

10 days that's really weird and long. Try to call them, there might be a problem with their email.

[Time to do something]

The email didn't bounce back so I believe they received it. I'll try to find time to call them.

[Bill - Seemiller]

TTDS,

 

In an age of spammers and scammers, many clinics have beefed up their anti-spam software. Unfortunately, sometimes legitimate emails get caught in junk/spam folders and are never seen or read.

 

When in doubt, pick up the phone and call the clinic :-).

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[Time to do something]

I spoke to GLI today. They told me that their process will last a lifetime if proper precautions are taken by using sunscreen if in the sun for more than 30 minutes. They said the worst case scenario would be it fades after ten years and one would come back for a reinforcement which would take about two hours and cost $195. They apparently go deeper in the skin than other companies which may allow it to hold up better. I wasn’t really clear what his answer was when I asked if the color simply faded or turned a different color. It was not a “yes” or “no” answer. He did say it would not blur or bleed. They also pride themselves in natural hairlines which fade in density the closer to the front so it doesn’t look like a helmet.

 

He did say his work is 2D not 3D. However, he did say that guys with hair have an advantage because hair gives a 3D appearance to his work. When asked if this could damage the hair follicle he said “yes it could”. That was a little worrying so I’ll talk to Dr. Shapiro about that. He did say to date no customer has ever had that happen to his knowledge nor has he witness it causing shock loss. He indicated the most natural look is generally achieved with multiple colors like a calico look. I did learn I’d have to have my entire head done. I thought they’d only do the area where I had the transplants. He said that is how they used to do it but learned it is more realistic if the entire head is done. I would have to shave my head down to a 0 or 1 guard which I wasn’t anticipating. He also said if for some reason I want it removed one day that can be done.

[aaron1234]

Thanks for keeping up posted TTDS with your SMP research. We all appreciate it!