Anyone have SMP at Shapiro yet

[rev333]

i agree wylie

 

any cosmetic procedure is temporary and needs some kind of maintenance in the long run

[BaldKen2]

I agree on the maintenance issue, but a touch up is far different than having to start from scratch each time it fades. And any Dermatologist will tell you that repeated attempts at this temp tattoo will be devastating to your scalp. I know a man who had the permanent SMP 11 years ago, has only had 2 touchups, and it looks MAGNIFICENT! No blue at all; get plenty of sun and you'll have a blue head. Take care of your investment and it will stand the test of time.

I found an interesting article at Myth: Semi-Permanent Tattoos that Last 6 Months - 6 Years and Fade Away On Their Own that addresses the myths of this "temporary tattoo" movement:

 

Truth or Myth: Semi-permanent tattoos that fade away and disapear on their own

I’m guessing you’ve probably heard of the “semi-permanent” tattoo – the one that only lasts 6 months. Or was that 6 years? No one seems to know, because it can’t be done. However, the rumors are real – there are even some tattooers claiming they can do it – some of them say the tattoo will last six months to a year. Some say 3 to 5 years. The 3-5 year ones are actually smarter - I mean, who's going to even be able to find them in 3-5 years to tell them they were wrong?

 

Why do people want a semi-permanent tattoo anyway? Why is this idea so popular? Because they don’t like commitment! Over 40% of American marriages end in divorce – and sometimes you have to live with a tattoo longer than your spouse! So, it is easy to see why the idea of a tattoo with a short commitment would be appealing to many. Change your mind? No problem! In a few months it’ll be gone anyway!

NOT!

The fact is, when you insert tattoo ink under the skin, it's there to stay. It may fade over time, but it won't just disappear. There is no magical ink that fades completely away after a predetermined length of time.

Some of them will say that they tattoo the ink so lightly that it doesn't become permanent - that somehow it's only embedded in a temporary layer of skin that will wash it away. This is also impossible. There are 3 main layers of epidermis - most tattoos go into the second layer. But if you only go into the first layer (which would require surgical if not magical precision) the ink may very well fade - but not evenly and not completely. What you'd be left with is a really crappy half-tattoo with splotches of ink here and there.

Klicks Tattoo quotes an article from The Times where Dr. Arthur Morris, a plastic surgeon, says, "A tattoo only lasts if it goes into the dermis [the layer of cells below the epidermis]. In other words, there is no possible middle ground." In the same article, Lal Hardy, a secretery for the A.P.T., is quoted as saying, "Professional tattoo studios won't go near these so-called temporary tattoos. It is hairdressers and market stalls who are doing them. The people doing it may even believe the tattoos are temporary, but those getting them are guinea pigs."So, basically, this is nothing but a scam. Stick-on tattoos are temporary (3-7 days) and henna art is temporary (2-4 weeks) and tattoos are permanent. Those are the only real choices you have. If you are not prepared to keep your tattoo for the rest of your life, you'd be best off not to get one at all.

 

[wylie]

Ken, I think you have done a good job researching the subject but you are all over the map in your assessments of how temporary tattoos work. I had my first session this past Friday, and will have my second session at the end of January. The change after one session is very subtle and hard to discern, and it was done to the back of the head and the sides of the head, just forward of the ears. I hope the next session gives a more noticeable color than the first one has, and REALLY wish the results would last 3-5 years, but temp tattoos don't last that long. Since my head is not shaved I've found that before and after pictures reveal nothing noticeable, but the treatment is a three step process, and the second step yields the best result, allegedly. We will see.

 

Also, in the above article you quoted, I find very little of it to be credible, especially the last paragraph that quotes a secretary, as if she is somehow educated in her opinion. The doctor is correct about the dermis layer, but temp. does not penetrate this layer.

[hairthere]

The pigment that Beauty Medical makes does indeed vanish 100% from your system. The needle penetrates at .5mm (upper dermis). The pigment itself is made from particles that go through a filtration process where they are all identical in shape and size (15 microns and round). This size and shape allows the body's cell defense system to "eat" them. Tattooing works on the lower part of the dermis, and the ink consist of particles which are 20+ microns and various shapes.

[BaldKen2]

Ken, I think you have done a good job researching the subject but you are all over the map in your assessments of how temporary tattoos work. I had my first session this past Friday, and will have my second session at the end of January. The change after one session is very subtle and hard to discern, and it was done to the back of the head and the sides of the head, just forward of the ears. I hope the next session gives a more noticeable color than the first one has, and REALLY wish the results would last 3-5 years, but temp tattoos don't last that long. Since my head is not shaved I've found that before and after pictures reveal nothing noticeable, but the treatment is a three step process, and the second step yields the best result, allegedly. We will see.

 

Also, in the above article you quoted, I find very little of it to be credible, especially the last paragraph that quotes a secretary, as if she is somehow educated in her opinion. The doctor is correct about the dermis layer, but temp. does not penetrate this layer.

 

Wylie, congrats on your sessions, I hope it all works out. Is the scar at least permanent? Anyone know anyone who has had this done several times over the course of 5-7 years? My concern would be the effect repeated sessions over the same area of the scalp over the course of say 10-15 years, bc this is a never ending process. I guess we won't know for sure until that time comes. I believe there is plenty of truth to the article i posted, but if it works for you, and u are happy with the results, who am I to say this isn't a good option? Best wishes for your second session mate! I hope you come out looking like a rock star, cheers mate!

[wylie]

Wylie, congrats on your sessions, I hope it all works out. Is the scar at least permanent? Anyone know anyone who has had this done several times over the course of 5-7 years? My concern would be the effect repeated sessions over the same area of the scalp over the course of say 10-15 years, bc this is a never ending process. I guess we won't know for sure until that time comes. I believe there is plenty of truth to the article i posted, but if it works for you, and u are happy with the results, who am I to say this isn't a good option? Best wishes for your second session mate! I hope you come out looking like a rock star, cheers mate!

 

Appreciate the well wishes Ken, I have seen an improvement after one session on one side of the strip scar area, but the other side, which was worse going in, still looks pretty barren by comparison, so round two I'm going to want to concentrate on the left side and likely have twice the amount of ink in this area than the other side.

 

The pin pricks from only going into the upper dermis are barely noticeable, but some areas do seem to be more sensitive than others. The scars I barely felt, but the virgin ground on the sides were more sensitive, with max. sensitivity at the apex of the sides (where the sides meet the top) But its still fairly minor on the pain scale, I didn't wince once.

 

So time will tell if this provides an effective cover or not, the scarring, while very numerous from multiple strips, at least does not have raised scars or even discolored scarring, so that helps me as to whether or not it will be effective. Round two at the end of January.

[fixstrip]

I apologize if that's the case. I don't recall changing the price on anyone if you were quoted certain price you should have gotten the original price. Can you email me so that we set things right?

 

.

 

Yeah, that would be great but you don't seem to like to return phone calls or emails. Numerous times, no call back, no email, NOTHING.

[fixstrip]

I apologize if that's the case. I don't recall changing the price on anyone if you were quoted certain price you should have gotten the original price. Can you email me so that we set things right?

.

 

Yeah, that would be great but you don't seem to like to return phone calls or emails. Numerous times, no call back, no email, NOTHING.

[Janna]

You've called and emailed me numerous times? Are your initials J.L?

 

If so, I've looked through your files and its shows one payment of $500 so it looks like we honored

the first estimate. Also, since the SMP didn't work out, we did a punch out session on you in July of 2013 without charge.

I apologize for not returning your call, I forwarded the one call I got from you to Nicole who is our smp specialist.

If she didn't return your call, then perhaps the forwarding didn't go through but I'll check into it.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Janna

[wb280]

I know nothing of SMP ( as of now ) but i have to comment on fixstrip's post. From the first time i spoke to Janna, to having the 2nd op, and till now, it has been more than 2 yrs since our first conversation and she is completely nothing like the way u mentioned. She would stay up on Skype to encourage me and made sure i knew exactly what would happen during the procedure ( hey guys, its nvr comfortable for anyone even though he has 3 or 4 ops ) We regularly contact via SMS etc and she is always ready to address any concern that i had, so i just wanted to give some opinion from my perspective

[GBU]

What's in the ink ? I think people should receive MSDS with the ingredients before allowing this to be injected all over their heads . It should not be a secret .

[NicH0le007]

I know nothing of SMP ( as of now ) but i have to comment on fixstrip's post. From the first time i spoke to Janna, to having the 2nd op, and till now, it has been more than 2 yrs since our first conversation and she is completely nothing like the way u mentioned. She would stay up on Skype to encourage me and made sure i knew exactly what would happen during the procedure ( hey guys, its nvr comfortable for anyone even though he has 3 or 4 ops ) We regularly contact via SMS etc and she is always ready to address any concern that i had, so i just wanted to give some opinion from my perspective

 

If anyone, has questions about SMP. I am the micro-pigmentation specialist for Shapiro Medical Group and am MORE THAN HAPPY to also help! Anyone, can msg me anytime! Or, email me directly at nicole@shapiromedical.com.

 

If I can post my obviously biased opinion of Janna -- she is fantastic! Always willing to help, always fair, always honest, and she contains a wealth of knowledge.

[NicH0le007]

What's in the ink ? I think people should receive MSDS with the ingredients before allowing this to be injected all over their heads . It should not be a secret .

 

The pigment that we use at SMG is an organic temporary pigment that is manufactured in Europe. The benefit of using pigment from Europe is that the pigment manufacturing industry is far more regulated. It contains no iron oxides nor metallic particles. This decreases the risk of color change during the fading process. And, is safer all around.

 

The pigmentation industry is big business, so many times as artists we don't even know all the ingredients, unfortunately. Every company wants to protect their "proprietary ingredients". It's frustrating across the board, not only to patients but to the specialists as well.

[GBU]

Nicole, if SMP is more regulated in Europe, why don't you know what's in the pigment ? How can you comment on the contents , when you don't yourself what is in it ? I have never heard of secret ingredients being injected in a medical office .

[hairthere]

We do not have a list of the ingredients because as Nicole pointed out it is a proprietary formula and there are no FDA regulations on pigments. This goes for all inks (tattoo, micro pigmentation, etc.). We do know that the pigment is made from organic, nonallergenic and biocompatible materials. We just do not have the specific ingredients.

 

I can also tell you that the particles which comprise Beauty Medical's pigment are smaller than those used in tattoo pigment and made uniform in shape (all round via a filtration process-- tattoo particles are various shapes and sizes). Because they are so small and round this is what allows your body's cell defense system to "eat" and eliminate the pigment over time. Each particle is also coated in liquid which prevents it from ever coming into contact with your body. Beauty Medical's needles also work at a very superficial depth (.5mm).

Edited May 20, 2014 by hairthere

[NicH0le007]

We do not have a list of the ingredients because as Nicole pointed out it is a proprietary formula and there are no FDA regulations on pigments. This goes for all inks (tattoo, micro pigmentation, etc.). We do know that the pigment is made from organic, nonallergenic and biocompatible materials. We just do not have the specific ingredients.

 

I can also tell you that the particles which comprise Beauty Medical's pigment are smaller than those used in tattoo pigment and made uniform in shape (all round via a filtration process-- tattoo particles are various shapes and sizes). Because they are so small and round this is what allows your body's cell defense system to "eat" and eliminate the pigment over time. Each particle is also coated in liquid which prevents it from ever coming into contact with your body. Beauty Medical's needles also work at a very superficial depth (.5mm).

 

You took the words right out of my mouth - Thank You!

[hairthere]

No problem Nicole! There seems to be a lot of misinformation (understandably) about SMP out there still.

[GBU]

I don't see the problem as misinformation . It appears that there is no transparency or willingness to disclose the most important information .

 

1. How can you say the ingredients are organic , non-allergenic and bi- compatible ?

You are making such a claim without any documentation . Is that legal ? Could they possibly be carcinogenic ?

 

2. What are your qualifications to be a specialist ? Do you have any licensure ? How many

years of experience ? medical tattoo has been around for 20 years or more .

 

This is a request for transparency . These should be easy questions for you . I appreciate your time .

 

3. You wrote that the pigment is eaten by the body, but then that it never comes into contact with the body . It is injected and processed by the body . Your statement makes no sense .

[scar5]

The pigment that we use at SMG is an organic .. no iron oxides.. This decreases the risk of color change during the fading process.

.

 

This makes no sense to me.

 

Here are the facts as I know them.

1) Iron oxides are far more color stable than oragnics

2) Iron oxides are used extensively in permanent make-up- including in Europe- for this very reason. In fact most of it is inorganic. (Color Body tattoos use lots of organic)

3) iron oxides are generally safe. (some people maybe allergic)

 

I've always assumed this,

 

Milena gets away with organics (and all the baloney about them being harmless and 'natural') because they literally disappear because the particles are small enough to slip through the cell walls and get flushed out of the body. (hence temporary) If Milena increased particle size and extended the depth to 1mm-1.2mm and into the dermal layer, we would see serious discoloration.

Edited June 5, 2014 by scar5
particle size bit