SMP websites: "unbiased"??

[BaldKen2]

I have noticed that as the SMP industry has grown, many information sites and forums have surfaced and claim to be unbiased. You see it everyday on the forums: A new screen name account pops up and in the very first post the member gives a long testimonial complete with hair loss sob story, The name/address/phone number of the Provider that saved their life, and sometimes even photos. It's sickening. The HIS Hair Forum obviously does not claim to be unbiased b/c it is operated and paid for by HIS, and so you must not speak any negativity about HIS Hair or a forum member's SMP photo results or you run the risk of being banned from the forum. Of course, after reading a few of the threads on the HIS forum, it is pretty obvious that many of the posters are more than likely company employees who are simply flooding the threads with glowing testimonials on their HIS results and experience.

The website that I found strange was SMPdebate.com, which was, up until recently, advertised as being run by a man by the name of "Tyler Green." There was also a little profile photo of "Tyler Green" who looked to be a sort of dorky little guy with glasses and a smirk on his face. After a recent quick glance over SMPdebate's site, I no longer see his name or photo anywhere on the site.

The site, SMPdebate.com, is actually owned and operated by HIS Hair Clinic. Damien Porter, the former HIS Hair Forum Moderator was the author of the articles (blog entries) and apparently operated the site under the alias "Tyler Green." Now that Damien is no longer employed by HIS Hair, I don't believe he is involved in the site, although he has been operating a similar site in which he claims to be an "SMP Guru." LOL

It seems that the main objective of the SMP Debate site is to sell AD space to SMP providers, while simultaneously steering potential clients to HIS Hair Clinic through the use of the site's "referral service" and by stacking the site with 'Pro- HIS Hair' Articles and "reviews.":rolleyes:

I came across an informative article that revealed some interesting info about this site and its immoral practices. Although the article does not specifically name the site, the author makes it pretty clear that he is referring to SMPdebate.com when he mentions the site claims itself as "the world's only unbiased source" and the operator of the site as claiming to be "one of the world's foremost experts on SMP."

My point in sharing this info is an attempt to convey the message that potential clients should place very little stock in online "reviews", ads, forum posts, and photos and videos. Many of the people who give their opinions on particular providers, and SMP in general, have their own agendas that do not include the best interest of the client but rather fattening their own pockets. And many of these same people do not possess the education, experience, or qualifications to be giving professional advice regarding SMP in the first place. Any moron can give himself the title of "SMP Guru" or "SMP Expert." It's just getting ridiculous lol.

The article is at this link, and is very informative regarding the SMP industry:

Scalp MicroPigmentation More Than Just Ugly Scars

Edited June 22, 2015 by BaldKen2

[BaldKen2]

The following is a small section from the article in which the author interviews a Micropigmentation clinic technician regarding their experience with SMPdebate.com. Again it is found at this link:

 

Scalp MicroPigmentation More Than Just Ugly Scars

 

"This segment of the cosmetic tattoo industry is becoming big business with franchises and clinics opening up in multiple countries, hundreds of thousands of dollars are changing hands between the growing numbers of patients and the clinics, and things are getting nasty.

The most damning evidence of just how aggressive this industry has become came from a technician whom we have confirmed from other industry members and several medical practitioners is well respected medical tattooist, I recount her story below."

 

'I received a spam email from a person running a Scalp Micropigmentation Marketing Site saying they wanted to add my business to their site, after looking at the site we quickly decided we wanted nothing to do with it because it had what we felt was inaccurate information and was misrepresenting what was clearly a paid advertising site as being independent opinion.

The person offering the opinions claimed to be; "One of the world's foremost experts on SMP", yet we saw no evidence of any health qualifications and no evidence of any qualifications in medical tattooing and most importantly no evidence of qualifications in the provision of scalp tattooing.

After discussion with two registered health professionals they agreed that some of the information supplied on the site fell squarely within the context of medical advice, and inappropriate advice at that.

Over the course of 2-3 emails I tried to explain to this person that we felt the content on the site was inappropriate and we wanted nothing to do with it. The emails became increasingly aggressive and I ended up warning....stop harassing me.

Then I was subject to retaliation by posting false and highly defamatory material about me on the advertising website and even went as far as breaching my copyright by uploading images of me from my website to the advertising site alongside the vitriolic attack.

In addition to the defamatory attack on me the page on the site also attacked another business and two large well respected medical associations in the United States.

We were completely stunned how sick & vicious the personal attack was!'

 

"After reading the email correspondence, and viewing the SMP advertising site I can confirm that this is one of the most disgraceful forms of negative advertising that I have ever witnessed during the course of my career. The most shocking thing is that along side the toxic diatribe there were paid adverts for 4 of the large Scalp Micropigmentation companies.

The site in question claims to provide "the word's only unbiased source" of information relating to SMP and provides some glowing reviews for the businesses that are also advertising on the site including one operating in the same country as the victim of the above abuse.

Correspondence from another industry member stated that they had virtually been "blackmailed" into advertising on the site because they were informed that the unsatisfactory "review" for their business could be turned into a positive one once they had paid for advertising.

This has the look and feel of a modern day version of a stand over racket with attempts take down the opposition with a personal attack and at the same time brimming with sycophantic praise for benefactors.

The abuse content in question has subsequently been removed, partly due to breaches of the web host terms and conditions, but the glowing 'independent' reviews still remain. This is clearly the kind of activity that should be examined by the advertising standards regulators.

Apparently there have also been several legal battles over unauthorized use of patient images, so much so that several service providers said that they no longer place patients' photographs on their website."

Edited June 22, 2015 by BaldKen2

[JoeTillman]

Baldken2,

 

Tyler Green is in fact a fictional character. He doesn't exist. If you do an image search on google, using his profile pic, you'll find only hits on "his" website and one reference to a Hong Kong casino company. That's it.

 

I have already written about this issue several weeks ago and I have the proof. Visit the site in my signature and look at the blog entries. It's right there in "black and white".

[BaldKen2]

Baldken2,

 

Tyler Green is in fact a fictional character. He doesn't exist. If you do an image search on google, using his profile pic, you'll find only hits on "his" website and one reference to a Hong Kong casino company. That's it.

 

I have already written about this issue several weeks ago and I have the proof. Visit the site in my signature and look at the blog entries. It's right there in "black and white".

 

Yea......I've known the truth behind "Tyler Green" and SMPdebate for over a year now. After seeing evidence for myself over a year ago (that was gathered by my provider) I was once again disappointed in the deceitful practices that pollute the hair loss industry. Im fairly certain that many providers have been privy to this info about SMPdebate for some time.

What I did find interesting was the section of the article I posted recounting instances of HIS Hair blackmailing providers and writing negative reviews on their clinics when they refused to pay them $$$$$. Simply despicable and cowardly behavior. The Greed of this world never ceases to amaze me!

Edited June 23, 2015 by BaldKen2

[clarvison]

Thank you BK2! It's nice to get an official "unbiased" opinion on SMP and the charade that goes on through the internet. I have been researching SMP for about a year now. If you don't live near a refutable SMP company, like myself, you have to take the word of someone you've never met. I've corresponded with three companies to this point. They've all put me in touch with previous clients. I can only hope that they're authentic clients and not employees. But, you've got me thinking that they very well could be "set-up" to promote the company. How do you avoid this pitfall? I think I want to go though with SMP, but with all the antics going on, I wonder who you can trust? Thanks again

[BaldKen2]

Thank you BK2! It's nice to get an official "unbiased" opinion on SMP and the charade that goes on through the internet. I have been researching SMP for about a year now. If you don't live near a refutable SMP company, like myself, you have to take the word of someone you've never met. I've corresponded with three companies to this point. They've all put me in touch with previous clients. I can only hope that they're authentic clients and not employees. But, you've got me thinking that they very well could be "set-up" to promote the company. How do you avoid this pitfall? I think I want to go though with SMP, but with all the antics going on, I wonder who you can trust? Thanks again

 

Hi Clarvison, it can be very difficult to know whom to trust when searching for an SMP provider. They all CLAIM to be the "pioneers of scalp micropigmentation." They all CLAIM to use "one of a kind" inks and needles. They all CLAIM to be "The World's Best."

 

And if choosing a provider were not difficult enough already, now you have the Tricopimentation SHILLS and Salesmen trying to use scare tactics and fake photos (pics of men's heads with food dye and marker ink saying these are permanent smp results lol) and attempting to equate permanent SMP with traditional tattooing with absolutely ZERO facts to support these accusations. Many of the Tricopigmentation providers are nothing more than Opportunists with NO HEALTHCARE OR COSMETIC TATTOOING BACKGROUND WHATSOEVER who see a market for SMP, so they take a course from Milena Lardi that lasts a few days, then they open up shop and start tattooing heads. The worst part about this common scenario of Trico Clowns, is that these same "Providers" are claiming years of experience and years of proven results- and of course they are speaking of Milena Lardi and Bella Medical's results, not their own LOL . It's a joke. In reality, these people have little to no cosmetic tattooing training at all.

 

You say that you have been put in touch with some former clients of the clinics you are interested in. It is impossible to know whether or not these clients are legit, but it is honestly not important whether they are paid employees or not. The fact is, every single provider out there pays former clients for referrals, and most providers use employees to promote their business posing as "unbiased" clients. That is just a fact of the business. What you should look for is a Provider who has been in business for 5 years or more and one that is willing to let you come to the clinic and see the operation they are running for yourself. Any good provider will let you view an SMP treatment in progress and meet some of their clients who have undergone the treatment in person. Whether they are paid or not is irrelevant. You just want to see what the results look like up close. Also, it is important to make sure that there is some sense of accountability that these Clinics adhere to, making it in their company's best interest to leave you satisfied when this thing is concluded. Read the contracts you sign very carefully as well. Make sure that your satisfaction is guaranteed and make sure you have a good understanding of the services that are included in the package you are purchasing.

Beyond doing those things, there is not much else you can do. You say you do not live close to any providers so this makes it tough, but it may be worth it to take a trip or two to check out a couple of providers in person, and schedule ahead of time a viewing of some former clients.

You say you have your search narrowed down to 3 providers. Which 3 providers are you considering?

[clarvison]

Thanks for your insights. I have thought of scheduling a trip to see it in person. That may be a good investment. I've been trying to gather information online/email/phone to minimize the expenses as plane tickets alone would be around $300 to each place. Not including hotel/accommodations. However, it may be the best way to really be confident in which company to go through.

 

Did you know who your technician would be for your procedures? I put a lot of stock in knowing who will be doing my procedure and what kind of results they've achieved. I don't like the idea of going into a clinic not knowing who will be doing my procedure and whether or not they've "mastered" the technique. It's my head and I'd like someone with a proven track record. However, I'm finding that many companies will not disclose exactly who's doing each procedure.

 

I am considering GLI, Vinci and Headstrong NY. I have had great conversations with each of them. All have provided contact information and I have corresponded with at least one former client from each company. One of the providers has put me in touch with 4 former clients. All with glowing reviews.

 

GLI is intriguing as it's a "one and done" procedure which is nice for those of us who are traveling long distances. However, much of the SMP research states that its almost impossible to get a great procedure with just one session ( even if it is 8 hours). As everyone's scalp responds differently to pigment and fading to some degree will most often occur. They have some great results on their website

 

Vinci claims to have pigments that will last "8-12 years" most likely if clients protect their scalp from exposure. Although the industry norm seems to be 5 years if all goes well till a touch-up is needed. Who knows? Their cost includes as many sessions necessary to get the results you desire. They have some great results on their website

 

Headstrong offers a more cost effective option, but they've only been in business for one year. However, their results are impressive. They also offer the ability to know who is doing your procedure. Their technicians are well known within the industry.

 

All seem to be good options. Its just a matter of deciding which would be best for me.

[BaldKen2]

Thanks for your insights. I have thought of scheduling a trip to see it in person. That may be a good investment. I've been trying to gather information online/email/phone to minimize the expenses as plane tickets alone would be around $300 to each place. Not including hotel/accommodations. However, it may be the best way to really be confident in which company to go through.

 

Did you know who your technician would be for your procedures? I put a lot of stock in knowing who will be doing my procedure and what kind of results they've achieved. I don't like the idea of going into a clinic not knowing who will be doing my procedure and whether or not they've "mastered" the technique. It's my head and I'd like someone with a proven track record. However, I'm finding that many companies will not disclose exactly who's doing each procedure.

 

I am considering GLI, Vinci and Headstrong NY. I have had great conversations with each of them. All have provided contact information and I have corresponded with at least one former client from each company. One of the providers has put me in touch with 4 former clients. All with glowing reviews.

 

GLI is intriguing as it's a "one and done" procedure which is nice for those of us who are traveling long distances. However, much of the SMP research states that its almost impossible to get a great procedure with just one session ( even if it is 8 hours). As everyone's scalp responds differently to pigment and fading to some degree will most often occur. They have some great results on their website

 

Vinci claims to have pigments that will last "8-12 years" most likely if clients protect their scalp from exposure. Although the industry norm seems to be 5 years if all goes well till a touch-up is needed. Who knows? Their cost includes as many sessions necessary to get the results you desire. They have some great results on their website

 

Headstrong offers a more cost effective option, but they've only been in business for one year. However, their results are impressive. They also offer the ability to know who is doing your procedure. Their technicians are well known within the industry.

 

All seem to be good options. Its just a matter of deciding which would be best for me.

 

According to what I have read and seen online those three companies are all good and produce high quality work, although I cannot speak from personal experience on any of them.

Regarding specific technicians, to the best of my knowledge if you request a specific tech by name, most clinics will schedule you with that person. Do you have specific technicians at these clinics that you want to do your treatment? If so you have definitely done some great research. If you do not know the name, find out who the most experienced technician is at the provider you choose, then demand that this be your technician for your treatment. If they refuse and say they cannot guarantee who will perform your treatment, then you simply tell them that you will be taking your business down the road to one of their competitors. The SMP industry is extremely competitive with new clinics opening up every month, so I'd be willing to bet that this is something they will have no problem agreeing to in order to get your business and keep you from going to the competition.

 

Travel is expensive, especially if you are just going to check out the place and not actually have a treatment, but in the long run it would be worth it I think.

[JoeTillman]

...now you have the Tricopimentation SHILLS and Salesmen trying to use scare tactics and fake photos (pics of men's heads with food dye and marker ink saying these are permanent smp results lol) and attempting to equate permanent SMP with traditional tattooing with absolutely ZERO facts to support these accusations. Many of the Tricopigmentation providers are nothing more than Opportunists with NO HEALTHCARE OR COSMETIC TATTOOING BACKGROUND WHATSOEVER who see a market for SMP, so they take a course from Milena Lardi that lasts a few days, then they open up shop and start tattooing heads. The worst part about this common scenario of Trico Clowns, is that these same "Providers" are claiming years of experience and years of proven results- and of course they are speaking of Milena Lardi and Bella Medical's results, not their own LOL . It's a joke. In reality, these people have little to no cosmetic tattooing training at all.

 

Shills? Who is a shill? Food dye and marker ink? Where's your proof of this charade? There is not a single tricopigmentation provider that I'm aware of using such tactics. If you are, point them out and I'll publicly shame them myself and maybe even work with Milena to revoke their license for using the Beauty Medical name but the problem is that you can't show these examples you speak of because you're making this up.

 

What I've noticed with you BK2 is that you make claims about the claims of others but you don't back these claims up. It is just talk. I however can usually back my claims. There was a discussion a few weeks back where one poster was supporting your position by saying to find a provider that uses a particular brand of ink because it has the best black in the industry (or some nonsense like that) and that it doesn't fade, guaranteed. I came out with the proof that the ink in question was banned in the UK and the EU for having carcinogenic properties. You said nothing about this but you want to call tricopigmentation techs "clowns"??? Some of the techs I've met so far are among the nicest, most caring people in the hair loss industry and I personally find it offensive that you would use such rash descriptives. They're not walking around like some gold chain wearing douchebags we see on Youtube selling their gangsta SMP. They don't have shill websites with fake identities to sell advertising to competitors and they don't have patients with long term blotching of their results combined with serious color change to blue or green. Permanent SMP companies do, and that is a fact that no one can legitimately deny.

 

You said in an earlier thread that you feel trico is great for some people and that you are being "balanced" in your opinions but if you call this balanced then I think Fox News may have an opening for you on their staff.

[BaldKen2]

Shills? Who is a shill? Food dye and marker ink? Where's your proof of this charade? There is not a single tricopigmentation provider that I'm aware of using such tactics. If you are, point them out and I'll publicly shame them myself and maybe even work with Milena to revoke their license for using the Beauty Medical name but the problem is that you can't show these examples you speak of because you're making this up.

 

What I've noticed with you BK2 is that you make claims about the claims of others but you don't back these claims up. It is just talk. I however can usually back my claims. There was a discussion a few weeks back where one poster was supporting your position by saying to find a provider that uses a particular brand of ink because it has the best black in the industry (or some nonsense like that) and that it doesn't fade, guaranteed. I came out with the proof that the ink in question was banned in the UK and the EU for having carcinogenic properties. You said nothing about this but you want to call tricopigmentation techs "clowns"??? Some of the techs I've met so far are among the nicest, most caring people in the hair loss industry and I personally find it offensive that you would use such rash descriptives. They're not walking around like some gold chain wearing douchebags we see on Youtube selling their gangsta SMP. They don't have shill websites with fake identities to sell advertising to competitors and they don't have patients with long term blotching of their results combined with serious color change to blue or green. Permanent SMP companies do, and that is a fact that no one can legitimately deny.

 

You said in an earlier thread that you feel trico is great for some people and that you are being "balanced" in your opinions but if you call this balanced then I think Fox News may have an opening for you on their staff.

 

My "opinion balance" has shifted after reading your joke of a "site" where you bash ALL PERMANENT SMP in a very uneducated and amateurish slander campaign to sway clients to your 'side of the field.' Your dishonesty and lack of morals (as shown on your site) clearly display that YOU REPRESENT EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH THE HAIR LOSS INDUSTRY! Heck, you represent everything wrong with any industry and are a perfect example of the lack of business ethics that have polluted our society.

I feel I have given facts on trico. You make accusations about the legitimacy of SMP clinics who have been open for only 2-3 years, however, many of the trico clinics you shill for (or whatever the hell it is you do) have no trico experience and have only completed a brief training course. Oh but that doesn't matter does it? Bc the method they learned was developed by a woman who has been practicing for over a decade, so you can just claim all of her successes as your own with little to no actual experience! Does that sound crazy to anyone else?? Lol

Then you try and deceive people into believing that SMP Is traditional scalp tattooing when you well know that the machines, needles, inks, insertion depth etc are all vastly different from tattoo shops. You also conveniently RECYCLE these BS 'horror story' SMP photos that have been circulating around the Internet for 6+ years, that were initially used by SMP providers as a scare tactic to steer clinents to their clinics that were originally used to basically say "don't go to our competitors or this will happen." Come on man lol, your agenda is so transparent.

 

Another fact: one of the longest operating trico services in U.S. (and claims to be the first U.S. Milena Lardi Trained Service) Is at an HT docs office, and is run by a person whose majority of experience consisted of working for a hair cutting salon, also did permanent makeup tattooing on the side (which is Micropimentation similar if not equal to Permanent SMP), then answered phones for an SMP clinic for a year(Secretary for SMP clinic), before jumping straight into being the Director of all things trico at the ht doctor's office. That is not a resume I trust and speaks strongly to the inexperience and amateur flooded industry as a whole (SMP and trico alike).

 

I think the main point here is I am just a client. I do not make money from my opinion so I have no ulterior motive. I do not pay Forums a monthly fee to express my opinions and Rep certain clinics and services. I do not create fake screen names in order to deceive potential clients. My Opinions are based on Science, Facts, and Proven Results! Your Opinions are based on Who is paying you MONEY! So if people believe you then that is their burden, not mine.

 

Dude you are a lightweight lol, which is why I stopped responding to your illogical questions and attacks weeks ago. Your PRETENTIOUS facade is so obviously a front that could only fool the most naive and stupid of people/consumers. What really has me laughing is how busy you claim to be, yet whenever I post something, you post a response to my post WITHIN AN HOUR of my post, and you do so in a very detailed fashion addressing every facet of what I have said. Lmao, bro you have a lot of time on your hands, and your job seems to afford you many spare hours in the day. Or is this your job? to post BS on forums?

 

So go ahead now: go up to the counter, order your favorite effeminate sissy Grande Latte or Frappuccino, go sit in the corner of your very favorite coffee shop with your little IPad that Santa brought you, cross your legs and type out a very calculated and 'insightful' response to my "imbalanced opinion" on trico. But when you need to go to the bathroom, just remember to use the door with the little emblem that IS NOT wearing a skirt, and be sure to wipe off the seat before you sit down to urinate. I'm sure 'gender confusion' can be a tough thing to live with.

Or just save yourself some time, I won't be reading anything you post as I have a difficult time paying any mind to those I do not respect. Have a Super Nice day Champ!

Edited July 1, 2015 by BaldKen2

[JoeTillman]

Whenever a button is pressed on someone that hasn't any facts, they usually go off on an insulting tangent. Oh wait...

 

What really has me laughing is how busy you claim to be, yet whenever I post something, you post a response to my post WITHIN AN HOUR of my post, and you do so in a very detailed fashion addressing every facet of what I have said.

 

Fact. If you look at the time stamps on our two previous postings there is a gap of well over 24 hours. The next previous post shows a six hour time difference.

 

Fact. You said...

 

 

...now you have the Tricopimentation SHILLS and Salesmen trying to use scare tactics and fake photos (pics of men's heads with food dye and marker ink saying these are permanent smp results lol)

 

I asked you which photos are fake which how you know that food dye is used? You didn't answer the question but instead attacked my manhood. Regardless of how much effort you put into your rebuttal it still doesn't answer the question.

 

Another fact: one of the longest operating trico services in U.S. (and claims to be the first U.S. Milena Lardi Trained Service) Is at an HT docs office, and is run by a person whose majority of experience consisted of working for a hair cutting salon, also did permanent makeup tattooing on the side (which is Micropimentation similar if not equal to Permanent SMP), then answered phones for an SMP clinic for a year(Secretary for SMP clinic), before jumping straight into being the Director of all things trico at the ht doctor's office. That is not a resume I trust and speaks strongly to the inexperience and amateur flooded industry as a whole (SMP and trico alike).

 

I can't speak to her past but the fact is that she now has three years of experience and regardless of her experience leading up to her joining the company she does excellent work now. The legitimacy of your claims are irrelevant.

 

My Opinions are based on Science, Facts, and Proven Results! Your Opinions are based on Who is paying you MONEY!

 

Proven results of which you have refused to share, science that you can't back up, and "facts" that are merely your opinion. One such fact was when you tried to say that trico will cost a patient 15 thousand dollars over the course of ten years. I presented the math of how pricing works to show you that the price of trico for ten years would be 5500.00. Your defense was that you were assuming price jumps which means you expect the price to go up by 300%.

 

You can attack me all you want, I don't really care, but if you are going to make accusations you should be able to back them up instead of slinging sophmoric insults. Regardless, if you find something wrong with my website, list them out and email or private message me. I'll see if your claims are legitimate and I'll make changes based on these truths. If you are all for the truth then you shouldn't have an issue with this and you should be happy to help. In the end, it's all about what you said earlier...

 

You also make a good point regarding the ethics of trico- it is not unethical b/c the clients enter into it with a clear understanding that it will fade, and if the results look good and they can afford to continue paying for more treatments then I'd say everybody wins.

 

And that is all that really matters.

 

Good day.

Edited July 2, 2015 by JoeTillman

[wylie]

So go ahead now: go up to the counter, order your favorite effeminate sissy Grande Latte or Frappuccino, go sit in the corner of your very favorite coffee shop with your little IPad that Santa brought you, cross your legs and type out a very calculated and 'insightful' response to my "imbalanced opinion" on trico. But when you need to go to the bathroom, just remember to use the door with the little emblem that IS NOT wearing a skirt, and be sure to wipe off the seat before you sit down to urinate. I'm sure 'gender confusion' can be a tough thing to live with.

Or just save yourself some time, I won't be reading anything you post as I have a difficult time paying any mind to those I do not respect. Have a Super Nice day Champ!

 

What is your problem dude? I've seen more maturity from pre-teens on discussion forums.

 

You do realize you sound like an adolescent, right? Don't you think you should start acting like a man someday?

[TakingThePlunge]

BaldKen2,

 

I think you're very passionate about educating people on SMP but a healthy debate is one thing and resorting to personal attacks and immature insults is another.

 

Let's keep things civil guys.

[BaldKen2]

BaldKen2,

 

I think you're very passionate about educating people on SMP but a healthy debate is one thing and resorting to personal attacks and immature insults is another.

 

Let's keep things civil guys.

 

Roger That Dave! My apologies mate! I'll keep the gloves up in future posts when responding to trolls. Cheers!

[SatyamAmbala41]

Many folks believe them blindly so they are such bad persons with selfish intentions. That's why i always double any information on internet to find if it is true.

[BaldKen2]

The owner of Scalp Aesthetics had his personal SMP treatment with HIS HAIR IN NEW YORK, then opened up SA and now he claims he invented SMP.[/url]

From the HIS Hair Forum, former moderator Damien Porter (his other known aliases include "Tyler Green" and self-proclaimed "SMP Expert" and "SMP Guru") , confirmed that owner of Scalp Aesthetics, Bryce Cleveland, received his personal SMP treatment from HIS Hair Clinic in New York. This was a year or so prior to Bryce opening up his own SMP company. Damien Porter is now the Marketing Director for Scalp Aesthetics, and I have already discussed Porter's Charade with the SMPdebate website, in which he portrays himself as a non-existent person named "Tyler Green" and claims to be "unbiased" while he is employed by HIS Hair Clinic. Below is a quote from Damien from the HIS forum warning the HIS community about Bryce and S.A. and the truth about Bryce's personal SMP:

"Just so you're aware of all the facts about the company you mentioned. The owner and main poster boy who is used within all their promotional material was actually treated by HIS at our New York clinic. " and the link to this thread:

Promotion Of Competitors On This Forum - SMP Common Room - HIS Hair Clinic

There are 2 main problems I see with this:

1) In all of Scalp Aesthetics' promotional material in which Bryce is the poster boy, they are selling a lie b/c the SMP results being displayed in the images of Bryce's scalp were actually produced by HIS Hair Clinic, not S.A. as implied in the photos.

2) Scalp Aesthetics claims on their website that they are the "Innovators of Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) procedure." How can they have invented something that has existed for decades before them, and with their owner and poster boy having received an SMP treatment at a competitor before they even existed?

 

The original poster on this thread, "Caillou", had mentioned Scalp Aesthetics by name in the first post, but it was removed shortly after by Damien b/c at that time HIS strictly prohibited the mention of competitors on their forum.

Later in the thread a member by the name of "Nightwood" said the following:

"For all those curious about the owner of the place that shall not be named! To be honest he's a terrible poster boy to sell it to people, the hairlines so defined and straight, on a white guy, I find my eyes eternally glued on it like this O_O. Same deal when I had a look around the site and made a comment, every picture I saw had very very defined solid hairlines, unnaturally dark and a lot of them looked very fakey."

To which Damien responded:

"Agreed, but thats exactly what he asked for. You'd be surprised how many clients (especially in the US) ask for ultra defined hairlines like these"

I find it interesting that Damien agreed that Scalp Aesthetics' results appear to have "very very defined solid hairlines, unnaturally dark and a lot them looked very fakey", and now he is the marketing director for this company. It just shows that guys like that who voice their opinions on SMP for a price, should not be listened to and should have no impact on a person's decision in choosing a provider, or having this treatment at all.

Unfortunately, we do live in a culture in which anyone with a Pulse, Brain Activity, and a WiFi Connection can be an "expert" on something, or blog about a topic and proclaim themselves a "Guru." I have seen more evidence of this type of crap on Hair Loss Forums, where so-called "Hair Transplant Mentors" can be 'Referral Specialists' with absolutely no Credentials or Education on the subject. It is just ridiculous that a patient or client would choose a doctor or a provider based on the advice of someone like that.

As far as Scalp Aesthetics, I would steer clear!! Most sensible and educated people will have no problem seeing the BS with this owner and company.

Red Flags: They offer a moisturizer lotion for $400 a Year!!!! and claim it will prolong the results of their SMP treatment, they also sell a line of spray tanning products called "Tan Aesthetics" LMAO:D, They perform unsanitary out-of-state treatments illegally in hotel rooms (Huge Health Risk), they do not have locations where they claim which is the reason for their need to use hotel rooms to perform treatments. And with no Micropigmentation certifications of their own they train franchised S.A. Technicians using their own MICKEY MOUSE ONLINE SMP TRAINING PROGRAM THAT CAN BE COMPLETED IN DAYS so if you go to one of their locations you may get a technician fresh off the street who simply took a 3 day online course to learn how to do SMP ON YOUR SCALP!

The Main Point is this:

Yes it is much easier and convenient to go online and trust a website, Photos, Youtube Videos, Blog or Forum, or an "Unbiased Expert", but the only way to fully research a Doctor, treatment/procedure, or provider is to just 'kick it Old School' and physically visit the clinic or office personally. Of course in Scalp Aesthetics' case you may find an empty building or vacant lot at the address where they claim to have a clinic. But at Legit providers and docs' offices, Viewing Procedures or Treatments, speaking face to face with staff and/or Doctors, and personally viewing recipient's results of the service offered is the best and only way. It is up to the client or patient to do their due diligence in the research process, and this goes beyond simply speaking with PAID EMPLOYEES OR SHILLS who have ulterior motives.

CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN

Edited July 29, 2015 by BaldKen2

[FridaysChild]

The Internet is a wonderful tool but sometimes it can be used to con us. However to find the right person to treat smp is too use the web. For me it has always been about The Practitioner not the company. I did my research extensively and it was only Practitioners with a history of quality work over a period of years. This is industry is still very young but there are a handful of practitioners out there who no there stuff. Paul Clarke, Damon Ashcroft, Jason Perez all ex HIS are extremely well regarded in the UK and produce top treatments and have for many years with 100's of examples. Jon Tang who is based in Hong Kong looks very good.

 

As for Damien Porter. It has been well known he knows very little, but is good at Marketing and twisting the truth. The amount of hypocrisy during his History of being a monitor and using the pretence of false names on pretend unbiased websites is also well known. Scalp Aesthetics and him are a very good match.

 

Do your research and as somebody said above. Double up your research to make sure.

[BaldKen2]

Paul Clarke, Damon Ashcroft, Jason Perez all ex HIS are extremely well regarded in the UK and produce top treatments and have for many years with 100's of examples. Jon Tang who is based in Hong Kong looks very good.

Availability of Capable techs and practitioners is not the issue. There are many skilled and talented micropigmentation practitioners out there, I know several in my city! However, the general feeling among most in the micropigmentation industry is that SMP is not yet mainstream enough to be highly profitable, and not worth leaving general cosmetic tattooing to pursue treating scalps exclusively. This is definitely the prime time to make some nice bank owning and operating your own micropigmentation business/clinic though. I cannot even begin to tell you how many smp technicians and sales directors whom I have noticed have gone off on their own and opened up their own smp clinics. They see that it is not hard to do, especially in such a young industry in which you do not even have to be established to compete, and one in which it is so easy using online marketing to create a Facade of "success". But as a technician, the money is not good enough yet in SMP to leave general cosmetic tattooing for.

As for Damien Porter. It has been well known he knows very little, but is good at Marketing and twisting the truth. The amount of hypocrisy during his History of being a monitor and using the pretence of false names on pretend unbiased websites is also well known. Scalp Aesthetics and him are a very good match.

 

Ya see, that makes no sense to me. How can a guy, who has earned a living for the last decade selling SMP and moderating an smp forum, know so very very little about Scalp Micropigmentation?? I have rarely seen, in any of his blogs or posts, any mention of any technical aspects of SMP or inks, needles, or machines...and he does not seem to have a good understanding of physiological factors and how they pertain to tattooing and smp.

Call me 'old school', but I feel that you should have a passion for what you are selling, and at the very least you should have a very solid understanding of your product! I guess if he really believed in what he was selling, he would have SMP on his scalp. He doesn't have SMP and he is bald, and that says a lot.

I do not agree that Damien is good at online marketing. What I have seen from him is very elementary, creating fake identities and these amateurish little "Smp blogs" under false aliases where he declares himself an "Expert" and "Guru" in which he attempts to blackmail providers for payment for his "services". Anyone worth a damn in the marketing industry knows his or her product frontwards and backwards and can explain it to you in full detail at the drop of a hat. Anyone in online marketing, with a moderate ability to understand the basic fundamentals of the SMP treatment, would be light years ahead of where Damien Porter is in the smp industry. He should have his own SMP clinic by now, but instead he is working for the weakest provider out there. I think that says it all. But I do agree, Damien is very good at being dishonest.

But...that is human nature. We are talking about an unregulated industry. If You give most people a product as well as the ability to sell that product any which way they choose, most people are going to 'tell the story' that shows why they are the best and spin things in their own favor. When an advertising guy can twist the actual facts surrounding SMP and the treatment itself and withhold all information regarding inks, needles and machines in order to fool the client, you know you are dealing with a new and scandalous industry in which there are not yet any rules.

 

There is one provider out there who I am aware of who has supposedly obtained a US patent for a tattoo needle they "developed" for SMP. A tattoo needle! LOL. It's ridiculous! Come on man....its getting comical out there, people doing some crazy things to try and stand apart and get your $$$$

Edited August 24, 2015 by BaldKen2