Calling on everyone who has had SMP done on your scalp

[LT]

I need hear from actual clients who have had permanent and non permanent SMP done on there scalps. Are you happy with the results? Does the SMP last as long as the practicener said it would? Does it look fake? Does anyone ever ask you why your hair always looks the same? Does it fade unevenly?

 

I have had permanent smp down into my 2 strip scars by a top NYC practicener and it looks pretty good. I just have some big worries about ever getting the scalp SMP. I already have been burned twice in the HT industry by a below average doc so I'm very cautious. 2 coalition docs have told me I don't have enough donor hair. One of them even recommend for me to get SMP done.

 

When you look at all these SMP companies website and instagram pictures it looks like tons of guys are getting SMP done.You don't see any long term pictures from 6 months, a year, 2 years. I would like to see someone in real life an actual client who had it done.

 

I would like to hear from actual clients. The SMP forum is starting to look like the SMP advertising section.

Edited March 29, 2017 by LT

[LT]

Delete

Edited March 29, 2017 by LT

[symphonyofdreams]

I need hear from actual clients who have had permanent and non permanent SMP done on there scalps. Are you happy with the results? Does the SMP last as long as the practicener said it would? Does it look fake? Does anyone ever ask you why your hair always looks the same? Does it fade unevenly?

 

I have had permanent smp down into my 2 strip scars by a top NYC practicener and it looks pretty good. I just have some big worries about ever getting the scalp SMP. I already have been burned twice in the HT industry by a below average doc so I'm very cautious. 2 coalition docs have told me I don't have enough donor hair. One of them even recommend for me to get SMP done.

 

When you look at all these SMP companies website and instagram pictures it looks like tons of guys are getting SMP done.You don't see any long term pictures from 6 months, a year, 2 years. I would like to see someone in real life an actual client who had it done.

 

I would like to hear from actual clients. The SMP forum is starting to look like the SMP advertising section.

 

 

I'd like to hear people's experience as well as I'm strongly considering smp. My only experience is seeing a artists head in person who was completely bald. He had his last touch up two years ago and I was very impressed. Looked as real as youd wish for.

[caseygeorge]

What makes me nervous about getting this done is the lack of responses on a post like this. I truly would need to talk to multiple people who have had it done about how their results (crown and into scars) look after a month, three months, six months, etc. Some of the scar work looks great at first, but does it hold up? I hope people who have will help those of us who are still on the fence and that this board isn't only for selling the services with immediate pics.

[hairtransplanthrowaway]

What makes me nervous about getting this done is the lack of responses on a post like this. I truly would need to talk to multiple people who have had it done about how their results (crown and into scars) look after a month, three months, six months, etc. Some of the scar work looks great at first, but does it hold up? I hope people who have will help those of us who are still on the fence and that this board isn't only for selling the services with immediate pics.

 

Same. Hence, I decided against SMP. There's not a single advocate. Like literally, null. SMP costs seem unexpectedly high for unknown reasons. It's a hair tattoo! And there are no guarantees that it'll hold up for years (I'm talking about permanent ones).

 

In many cases, cost of SMP seems to be more expensive than getting FUE done in countries like India and Turkey.

[hsrp10]

SMP works on a select few head shapes/facial types but I don't see it as a safe across the board alternative to hair restoration in many cases.

I mention safe because there was an active forum member here who had temp. SMP and claimed it was the cause of his leukemia.

 

I think it's best suited for scar repair into FUT scars (I had an old Bosley scar done at HIS) or for minor crown camouflaging where the patient still has some amount of hair.

Edited April 17, 2017 by hsrp10

[netsky]

I see the lack of feedback from patients as a good thing. I guess they get on with their lives and dont come back

[hairtransplanthrowaway]

I see the lack of feedback from patients as a good thing. I guess they get on with their lives and dont come back

 

 

Could be. But it's highly possible they are like me who underwent an awful HT and don't wish to talk about it at all.

[delgreco]

So far. I would say I am pleased with the results. It is still early (couple months) and I chose non permanent ink.

My situation was more for filler, and for me I did not have a lot of other choices.

 

Feel free to ask me any questions.

[Bill - Seemiller]

I want to say upfront that I have not had a scalp micropigmentation procedure however, there are a number of people who have shared their experience on this forum. So in addition to asking for people who have had experiences to post on this topic, I recommend using the search feature or Peru zing the scalp micropigmentation forum category.

 

Also, just to state my opinion, I feel based on what I have read, that people seem to be more satisfied with the temporary SMP procedure over the permanent one simply because permanent need permanent and with any type of tattooing, ink can fade over time and also turn a color that may not be as pleasing as your initial result.

 

That said, like anything else, the skill and experience of the practitioner will be vital into ensuring a satisfactory results. Some of the surgeons we recommend on this community regularly perform SMP and I would strongly suggest checking them out.

 

Best wishes,

 

Bill

[LT]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes Bill I have seen a few people on this forum post some pictures but not many. And yes I have had permanent SMP done on my 2 strip scars by a well known practicener in NYC. For those on here who want to cover up the scars I would recommend it. I can get my hair buzzed on the sides without a guard and it looks pretty good.

 

But to SMP the whole scalp scares the sht out of me. I would like to do it but just seems to be to many risks like looking fake, fading, and possible long term health issues. The temporary SMP really worries me because of how the inks eventually pass through the the body and lymph nodes in a short period of time.

 

If you look up all SMP companies you see tons of pictures of guys getting it done. I mean is there thousands of guys walking around with SMP on there scalps?? Yet hardly anyone knows anybody who has had it done. I've been fooled by pictures before at the HT doc I had both my HT done. He showed me a book of patients who supposedly had HT done at there clinic. Anybody can show a bunch of fake pictures. Now I don't have enough donor hair and my 2 HT results are below average at best. I've been burned before.

[LT]

That's the other problem CaseyGeorge. I don't see 1 picture ANYWHERE of what permanent or temporary SMP looks like 3 months, 6 months, a year after it was done. You only see pictures right after SMP was done.

 

Like I said on the above post look at all the pictures from all the practicener's websites and instagrams. Must be thousands of guys walking around with SMP on the top of their heads. There clearly on those sites and they are not hiding that they had it done. I would like to meet some of them to really believe it.

[NicH0le007]

You are correct that not many people post about their smp experiences after the fact. But, It's not because they dislike their procedures or are now living in caves of shame ...it's because once the procedure is complete it's like a weight has been lifted and they are ready to move on with their lives and be done with anything hairloss related including talking about the process or even coming to look at the forums. A new chapter in their lives have started. Happy people move on...

[hairtransplanthrowaway]

Nichole007, if it's not a bother, can you provide contact addresses of 2-3 clients that have had SMP done 4-5 years ago?

 

Like I aforementioned, I had an awful HT in istanbul and I don't even want to talk/think about it. In fact, I stopped visiting all forums because I was so pissed off. How could that not be the case with those that had SMP done?

 

How long do temp ones last?

[NicH0le007]

Nichole007, if it's not a bother, can you provide contact addresses of 2-3 clients that have had SMP done 4-5 years ago?

 

Like I aforementioned, I had an awful HT in istanbul and I don't even want to talk/think about it. In fact, I stopped visiting all forums because I was so pissed off. How could that not be the case with those that had SMP done?

 

How long do temp ones last?

 

Without maintance trico disappears after 2 years. If you email me at Nicole@shapiromedical I can talk to some patients and have them contact you. Turkey is my nightmare. I have many repair cases due to their fantastic price structure...

[Topps71]

I had Tricopigmentation (temporary) done in two sessions last week. I am fairly happy with it but my Doctor did not fill in the top and back of my head due to skin irritation that I was experiencing so there is a void there which I was anticipating not having when I left his office.

 

I am going in for a 3rd session in two weeks to further complete the procedure. The front and section behind it is light in color but looks completely natural. Everyone thought I just shaved my head. If I had coverage right now on the missing sections I would be running wild! I pray that in two weeks I will have this accomplished but do feel behind in the process. Anyone have any light to shed here?

 

Thank you!

[Topps71]

Hi Nicole,

 

I had Tricopigmentation done in two sessions last week. I am fairly happy with it but my Doctor did not fill in the top and back of my head due to some skin irritation that I was experiencing so there is a void there which I was not anticipating having when I left his office.

 

I am going in for a 3rd session in two weeks to further complete the procedure. The front and section behind it is light in color but looks completely natural. I pray that in two weeks I will have this accomplished but do feel behind in the process. Could there be parts of your scalp that do not "take" or accept the tattooing like it did for me on my frontal hairline? I'm not comfortable at present moment with a 4"inch bald spot on my shaved head. Can you enlighten me any on this?

 

A sincere thank you!

[hairthere]

"That's the other problem CaseyGeorge. I don't see 1 picture ANYWHERE of what permanent or temporary SMP looks like 3 months, 6 months, a year after it was done. You only see pictures right after SMP was done."

 

I just posted pictures of a client who had temporary done with my clinic over two years ago.

http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/186869-ahead-ink-smp-gonna-knock-you-out.html

 

A few of my guys have come on here and shared their experiences. I also have plenty of clients who will happily speak with you so you can contact me for referrals. As a patient who went through the hair transplant process that's exactly what I did in order to get unbiased feedback. You can't just expect people to show up on the forums and share. It's not their job. Also, as you can tell by the numbers, the majority of people who do actively post and share on here are for transplants. There's far less traffic in the "SMP' section.

 

From my experience the general population is extremely uneducated when it comes to hairloss. Most people still refer to transplants as "plugs" when us hair geeks all know follicular units are the standard. And they have no clue what SMP is. This is actually an advantage to the guys having SMP done as it makes it even less detectable-- people are unaware that it even exists. I would also agree with Nichole that the majority of my clients a)Don't want people to know they've had the procedure done and b)once it's done just happily move on with their lives.

 

Topps71,

I'm guessing you went to Dr. Gabel? If he felt your scalp was too irritated to work on, then I'm sure he was using proper judgment. I've had similar experiences with clients who wore hair systems and are eager to get the procedure done but haven't let their scalp fully heal from the glue/bond/tape. We will often just work where we can so they are not left looking bald and then go back and fill in. You are in very good hands with your choice of provider and I'm certain he'll get you sorted out in a few weeks.

Edited May 6, 2017 by hairthere

[hairthere]

hairtransplanthrowaway,

I haven't seen your pictures, but looking at your profile shot it appears you're needing in the crown/vertex. I would certainly contact Shapiro Medical as they could probably propose a plan that combines surgery plus SMP and get you maximum coverage. I was in a similar situation as you and that's when Spex introduced me to Milena Lardi/Beauty Medical at Dr. Feller's office. I was so impressed with the outcome that I flew to Milan and got trained!

[NicH0le007]

I had Tricopigmentation (temporary) done in two sessions last week. I am fairly happy with it but my Doctor did not fill in the top and back of my head due to skin irritation that I was experiencing so there is a void there which I was anticipating not having when I left his office.

 

I am going in for a 3rd session in two weeks to further complete the procedure. The front and section behind it is light in color but looks completely natural. Everyone thought I just shaved my head. If I had coverage right now on the missing sections I would be running wild! I pray that in two weeks I will have this accomplished but do feel behind in the process. Anyone have any light to shed here?

 

Thank you!

 

It's hard to get a good visual without photos.Trico is def a process and if you have any skin irritation it's a good thing that he didn't do any work in that area. ( Your skin would more than likely just kick it all out anyway. but, the irritation will compromise the healing process of the trico and the trico will compromise the healing of the irritation) I see all my patients in a 3 sessions series and I tell everyone not to have high expectations until the end. Trico is very different from permanent smp in that when you implant the impressions into the skin they grow slightly larger with the healing process. (with permanent they shrink when the scab falls) Because of this growth it's important the monitor the fading process and go slow and steady so that everything looks extremely natural. Sounds like you are on the right path...just be patient. Remember, always easier to add then subtract and better to be inconvenienced with time than repair...

[ChickenAndBroccoli]

Hi!

 

I had an SMP procedure with Nicole at Shapiro back in 2013. I would be happy to look up some pictures of immediate post-op and more recent ones if people on this thread are still interested in seeing how it looks a few years later.

 

In short, my experience was really positive. You have to keep your head shaved down to no guard so that the 3D vs 2D contrast doesn't make your SMP look weird, but otherwise you look great. I met up with an old friend and had to make him touch my head for him to see what I meant by the SMP being a ruse. He thought I had chosen to shave my head.

 

Let me know if you guys are interested in pictures.

[nomorehopes7878]

I am very interested in pics.

I had a failed FUE 3 years ago and still looking for a solution to my problem.

Cheers

[tanner1987]

I had SMP late 2016 and been very happy with the results. I went to The Look in Melbourne. It was $1000AU for each of 3 sessions. I haven't even been back for the 3rd session yet, which I'll just use as a touch up some time in the future. Not a single person has noticed(as far as I'm aware) that I have SMP. I get the old questions "why shave your head if you're not bald"? I suspect the reason for the lack of responses, as someone assumed, is because we've all moved on with our lives.... I rarely visit this site any more and only came here to check on a cure update, as a cure is still my ultimate goal.