Seriously Considering SMP Opinions, Thoughts?

[Melvin- Admin]

Alright guys, 

I'm seriously considering having SMP done to the top of my scalp, so that I have less contrast on my scalp. SMP can be used like a concealer, similar to dermmatch. As an avid user of hair loss concealers, I'm thinking maybe I should just get SMP and perhaps I won't need to use concealers as much. Have any of you guys had SMP? I'd love to hear your guys thoughts and opinions.

[Cahustler]

I don’t get it, seems like you’ve already got a full head of hair? 

[n00b]

I remember you investigating the use of beard as donor. Not proceeding with the idea? 💡 

[AssaultedByDHT]

I considered SMP too, but most clinics will cost you 3500-5000 for temporary ink that could fade within 2 to 3 years. Touchups also cost money. Better off with using the beard as donor. 

[Melvin- Admin]

13 hours ago, Cahustler said:

I don’t get it, seems like you’ve already got a full head of hair? 

It’s an illusion, it’s definitely not a full head of hair, as I do use fibers and Dermmatch for my crown

[jonnyalex]

Just do it. It lasts for 5 years at most. If you don't like it, it will fade away. 

[LaserCap]

22 hours ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Alright guys, 

I'm seriously considering having SMP done to the top of my scalp, so that I have less contrast on my scalp. SMP can be used like a concealer, similar to dermmatch. As an avid user of hair loss concealers, I'm thinking maybe I should just get SMP and perhaps I won't need to use concealers as much. Have any of you guys had SMP? I'd love to hear your guys thoughts and opinions.

You are in a GREAT position to do so.  You are a moderator.  I am certain you can approach any doctor and have them do it for FREE.  You will be promoting the results for a long time.  Have you thought of which doctor to do it with?  You could even film the whole thing.  That would be helpful to many in the community.

[Melvin- Admin]

15 hours ago, LaserCap said:

You are in a GREAT position to do so.  You are a moderator.  I am certain you can approach any doctor and have them do it for FREE.  You will be promoting the results for a long time.  Have you thought of which doctor to do it with?  You could even film the whole thing.  That would be helpful to many in the community.

Yes, I do have some great doctors I can work with, but I want to try it out,  to document it and see if it is in fact a viable option. I know Dr. Charles does SMP, so does Dr. Gabel, and Dr. Shapiro, I'm not sure who else. Maybe the community can help me out here.

[Cahustler]

For some reason I thought tattoo artist does SMP and not actual doctors?

[LaserCap]

50 minutes ago, Melvin-Moderator said:

Yes, I do have some great doctors I can work with, but I want to try it out,  to document it and see if it is in fact a viable option. I know Dr. Charles does SMP, so does Dr. Gabel, and Dr. Shapiro, I'm not sure who else. Maybe the community can help me out here.

Contact Dr. Arocha.  I've seen this done and they do an awesome job.

[Melvin- Admin]

41 minutes ago, LaserCap said:

Contact Dr. Arocha.  I've seen this done and they do an awesome job.

I will definitely be contacting Dr. Arocha as well.

[hairlossPA]

can we see an updated pic of the crown you are looking to SMP?

[Melvin- Admin]

0:40 seconds you see my bare crown.

[hairlossPA]

if you can get it for free through your connections I say go for it. if you have to spend out of your own pocket 3-5k I probably wouldn’t. If you are confident you won’t need to use concealers and hair fibers then I say go for it, but if you’re going to get SMP and still use hair fibers I don’t think it’s worth it. but to each their own

[HairGone29]

Why not just get a transplant on the crown? Have you ever tried:

Big 3 plus

Microneedling

Saw Palmetto

Regular scalp massages

PRP?

[LonelyGraft]

The only thing I would worry about which might not even be a real concern is if somehow the needle/tools they use can harm the surrounding hairs or cause unhealthy amounts of inflammation towards follicles. I haven’t researched into it at all as a note

[Dazed]

Why do they use temporary dye, and if is basically a tattoo why not use a tattoo artist who may be more skilled than a doctor.  I think I just answered my own question since SMP uses different size needles than Tattoo.  I will come back to my other question as to why they use temporary dye.

Edited December 19, 2019 by Dazed

[Melvin- Admin]

1 hour ago, Dazed said:

Why do they use temporary dye, and if is basically a tattoo why not use a tattoo artist who may be more skilled than a doctor.  I think I just answered my own question since SMP uses different size needles than Tattoo.  I will come back to my other question as to why they use temporary dye.

It’s organic dye that the breaks down, there is permanent smp, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with a permanent tattoo on my scalp. What if it turns green when im old? I’d rather have a temporary one to see how I like it.

[Melvin- Admin]

11 hours ago, LonelyGraft said:

The only thing I would worry about which might not even be a real concern is if somehow the needle/tools they use can harm the surrounding hairs or cause unhealthy amounts of inflammation towards follicles. I haven’t researched into it at all as a note

This is a concern, especially since I woukd want smp on my entire scalp, to add a thickening appearance. Definitely need to research a bit more myself. 

[n00b]

@Melvin-Moderator What are your thoughts on using beard grafts on mid scalp and crown? seems like more and more doctors are using it.

[Badhairman1]

I had it to cover a strip scar, did a lot of research and went to a independent SMP specialist/tattooist. I was lucky it was local and I wouldnt trust a UK HT doc.

I found it fine on non scar areas but painful on scar tissue. Took 3 sessions and 4 years later I am still satisfied with it.  2 a week apart and then one after a month.

Actually worked out really well price wise and it did break the white contrast scar that I was getting with short hair, i can now get away with a 2.5/3 if i wanted. Thickening effect could work well depending on your hair style but it wouldn't work in a big bald area only around a thin patch like you mentioned to break contrasts.

Seeing your Video even under bright light it looks fine to me, i think you might be better with body hair as they may ask you to shave around your crown as they will need to blend ithe smp in with your existing hair.

Edited January 1, 2020 by Badhairman1

[O.j]

I had smp done for an unsightly scar in the back and it didn't work very well. I use caboki to conceal the scar and it looks 100 times better than the smp. I used to use derm match, but I found that caboki looks way more natural as it gives the illusion of thicker hair while derm match looks more like a colored scalp. I had negative comments about using concealer when I used DM, but nobody ever noticed anything when I used caboki. I wouldn't do it just for the sake of convenience. SMP is actually less effective than a good concealer. 

[Melvin- Admin]

2 hours ago, O.j said:

I had smp done for an unsightly scar in the back and it didn't work very well. I use caboki to conceal the scar and it looks 100 times better than the smp. I used to use derm match, but I found that caboki looks way more natural as it gives the illusion of thicker hair while derm match looks more like a colored scalp. I had negative comments about using concealer when I used DM, but nobody ever noticed anything when I used caboki. I wouldn't do it just for the sake of convenience. SMP is actually less effective than a good concealer. 

Do you have any pictures? I wanted to get smp to use less concealer. I use dermmatch and Caboki. I use both, combined you have a waterproof concealer. You can even go swimming. 

[O.j]

I'll try to take some pics, but if your goal is to swim in the summertime, I'd just go au natural. Put on a baseball hat when you're out of the water. We're all looking for maximum density, but achieving perfection post transplant is not an easy task.