Help choosing where to do SMP at ?

[jake88]

I'm planning on getting SMP done and I have no idea where I should get it done at, and unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much information out there. I know about the major SMP parlors like HisHair and Scalp Aesthetics. And I know that Hasson and Wong and Shapiro are now doing SMP. And then there are these smaller local salons and parlors that are also doing SMP. I don't know which I should choose. When trying to choose a surgeon for HT surgery I know that there's a great deal of importance when it comes to choosing the surgeon and that there is a big difference between individual surgeons.

 

But is there really going to be that much difference between people who do SMP assuming they're using similar techniques ? Am I better off going to a big established parlor like HisHair, or going to a doctor like Hasson and Wong ? Or would I get very similar results and save myself money by going to a local salon and doing it ?

[hsrp10]

If you're getting your whole head SMP'ed I would look into it very carefully and even consider temporary SMP and or a patch test to test the waters before full commitment.

 

From my research including on this forum, HIS "says" (not sure they go as far as a "guarantee") that their permanent SMP will not turn blue which is really something you must research into before taking the plunge. I would contact other companies and ask them directly if their pigment has the risk of turning blue and see what answer you get.

 

In this early stage you are right it is very difficult to choose a bona fide winner, but I am getting the impression HIS really tries hard not to do any harm and takes a rather conservative approach. I am thinking of going with them for an old Bosley scar I've had since my 20's.

You can do a lot of research on the HIS run forum btw.

 

You will see that the more you research into this, the more surprising things you'll find too, such as

(1) there is indeed down time with SMP -> not being able to wash your head/hair for 4-5 days in between treatments, not being able to sweat at all for 4 days and not being able to sweat heavily for a month

(2) the fact you will likley need 3-4 plus treatments for good results and even future "touch-ups", and then the added downtime each session

(3) and the fact that permanent SMP can also fade, are among the things I had no idea before starting my research

 

Do a lot of research and good luck with your decision!

[jake88]

If you're getting your whole head SMP'ed I would look into it very carefully and even consider temporary SMP and or a patch test to test the waters before full commitment.

 

From my research including on this forum, HIS "says" (not sure they go as far as a "guarantee") that their permanent SMP will not turn blue which is really something you must research into before taking the plunge. I would contact other companies and ask them directly if their pigment has the risk of turning blue and see what answer you get.

 

In this early stage you are right it is very difficult to choose a bona fide winner, but I am getting the impression HIS really tries hard not to do any harm and takes a rather conservative approach. I am thinking of going with them for an old Bosley scar I've had since my 20's.

You can do a lot of research on the HIS run forum btw.

 

You will see that the more you research into this, the more surprising things you'll find too, such as

(1) there is indeed down time with SMP -> not being able to wash your head/hair for 4-5 days in between treatments, not being able to sweat at all for 4 days and not being able to sweat heavily for a month

(2) the fact you will likley need 3-4 plus treatments for good results and even future "touch-ups", and then the added downtime each session

(3) and the fact that permanent SMP can also fade, are among the things I had no idea before starting my research

 

Do a lot of research and good luck with your decision!

 

Thank you for the reply. Probably my biggest fear is the tattoo turning blue or looking fake but the problem is I don't think anyone is going to be honest with me if I ask them whether or not it's a possibility. Every clinic is going to say the ink has no chance of turning blue because they use a special kind of ink and that it's going to look very realistic. And there doesn't seem to be many people out there who've had SMP for 5+ years let alone 10

 

I have been doing a lot of research lately, but most of it is on the HisHair forum. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much info coming from independent sources. Most of the things you mentioned did in fact surprise me at first. Another thing I learned is that depending on the light you're currently in the SMP may not be visible. But hey it's still better than the alternative.

[hsrp10]

yep still early on and actually the most posts not coming from the HIS forum are here on the HTN

 

Scar5 on this forum has a lot of knowledge on SMP, maybe you could PM him for his clinic choices

[tylergreen]

There is a large number of providers to choose from. This should help

List of ALL scalp micropigmentation (SMP) providers worldwide | SMP Debate

 

Color change in pigments only really happens at those places where they dont do a lot of SMP, and so dont have knowledge of the right pigments and technique. Any of the larger specialist companies should be fine.

 

BTW I wouldnt go to a transplant doc, I'd go to a company that does SMP and nothing else.