SMP vs FUE for scar repair?

[varonil]

Thanks 35yr after. I didn't know about 3D printers. I will post pics once I shave my head down again so the scar will be visible (or not! ). Soon.

[35YrsAfter]

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd update you on my journey. I decided to go for Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) to reduce my scar even further. Even crazier is I was interviewed on the CBC - Canada's national television broadcaster about it...

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Toronto/ID/2451987672/

Not sure how I went from extreme shame to being able to talk about this on national TV, but there you have it.

Very cool! Thanks for posting. Would you mind posting photos of your result? That would be greatly appreciated.

I had thought that down the road, genetically compatible 3d printed hair-like strands could be implanted in the scalp without causing an immune reaction. Interesting though, after hair transplantation, some of the hair strands continue to grow for a while, then just sit there. Those hairs commonly cause an immune reaction resulting in pimples. Tattoo ink usually doesn't cause an immune reaction, so perhaps something more solid, small, correctly colored, and resembling a hair strand could be inserted in the skin like a tattoo. As I mentioned, the only issue I have seen working here at Dr. Cole's office regarding SMP, tricopigmentation etc. is color mismatch and dot's that don't resemble hair emerging from the scalp because they are too large. Perhaps a more solid implantable, less prone to fade could solve this issue. Color match and dot size are critical to a natural result that blends in with surrounding hair.

If it weren't for my hair transplant scars, I would shave my head.

BTW, The possibilities with 3d printers are absolutely amazing. The following video has nothing to do with hair, but highlights the potential of this technology. 2,200 square foot homes built by a huge 3d printer in around 20 hours.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office
forhair.com
Cole Hair Transplant
1070 Powers Place
Alpharetta, Georgia 30009
Phone 678-566-1011
email 35YrsAfter at chuck@forhair.com
The contents of my posts are my opinions and not medical advice
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. Ask for Chuck

[varonil]

I went for SMP - and got interviewed on TV!

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd update you on my journey. I decided to go for Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) to reduce my scar even further. Even crazier is I was interviewed on the CBC - Canada's national television broadcaster about it...

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Toronto/ID/2451987672/

Not sure how I went from extreme shame to being able to talk about this on national TV, but there you have it.

[35YrsAfter]

In my experience the smaller "dots" look more natural on a person's head than the larger ones. There is also much more to a natural appearing result than just that.

To illustrate what I mean regarding SMP "dots", I have attached a photo below. Our patient had a low SMP hairline placed while he still had a reasonable amount of hair on top. You may have to magnify the photo to see what I'm talking about... The tattoo artist placed the hairline too low, so later he had the dots lasered out. Notice the lighter colored skin band below his hairline. With the photo magnified, you can see the dots are many times larger than a hair emerging from the scalp. They also have a slight blueish tint. The lighter band of skin is barely noticeable when you see our patient in person. Our patient had FUE grafts placed by Dr. Cole in the frontal area to camouflage the SMP a few months back. The photo below represents how he looked just before his FUE session five months ago.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office
I am not a doctor and the content of my posts are my opinions, not medical advice.

[varonil]

Thx for responding. It's 5 to 10mm. Scared to death of a revision. Your scar looks 3mm at the most.

You're golden dude. Scar looks fine. Buzz it down and roll with that. F the tattoo. You're good.

Thanks man, appreciate that. I'm largely over this hurdle in life, new challenges ahead. ho!

Good luck with yours, be brave. Sounds like a revision could help in your case.

[Jotronic]

Tricopigmentazione - Trichopigmentation - Scalp Micro Pigmentation - SMP...
Whatever you prefer to call it... In my experience the smaller "dots" look more natural on a person's head than the larger ones. There is also much more to a natural appearing result than just that.

I was asking because, by default, trichopigmentation is a trademarked term owned by Beauty Medical in Milan and it refers only to their technique and their temporary SMP or that of those clinics that have licensed the technology and training from Beauty Medical. SMP is a more generic term encompassing both temporary and permanent versions offered by anyone and everyone.

I agree that the smaller dots of Trichopigmentation are more natural and I also agree that there is more to the result than just smaller dots.

[35YrsAfter]

To my knowledge Trichopigmentation and Scalpmicropigmentation are interchangeable terms. Tricho comes from the Greek or Latin meaning "hair."

Tricopigmentazione - Trichopigmentation - Scalp Micro Pigmentation - SMP...
Whatever you prefer to call it... In my experience the smaller "dots" look more natural on a person's head than the larger ones. There is also much more to a natural appearing result than just that.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office
Cole Hair Transplant Atlanta - Dr. Cole
Toll Free 1-800-368-4247
Phone 678-566-1011
I am not a doctor and the content of my posts are my opinions, not medical advice.

[jetfan11]

Scar

How many grafts total did u have put in?

[jetfan11]

Scar

Hi Jetfan11,

you know I never measured it, but it was probably about 5mm.

How about yours?

Thx for responding. It's 5 to 10mm. Scared to death of a revision. Your scar looks 3mm at the most.

You're golden dude. Scar looks fine. Buzz it down and roll with that. F the tattoo. You're good.

[varonil]

Varonil,

How wide is your scar?

Im in similar situation.

Hi Jetfan11,

you know I never measured it, but it was probably about 5mm.

How about yours?

[jetfan11]

scar grafting

Varonil,

How wide is your scar?

Im in similar situation.

[varonil]

Yes, you'd need to wait for a couple of weeks at least, but after that it could, potentially at least, improve the success of the procedure. Minoxidil is a vasodilator, so it widens the blood vessels and allows more blood flow to the area. I can't say for sure that it'll have any effect.

Hi MattJ,

Just curious, but could minoxydil into the scar years after FUE treatment (like starting now), work for improved hair growth through it?

Thanks,

Varonil

[Hairthere]

To my knowledge Trichopigmentation and Scalpmicropigmentation are interchangeable terms. Tricho comes from the Greek or Latin meaning "hair."

[Jotronic]

I prefer trichopigmentation to SMP though,

Just curious, have you seen trichopigmentation in person?

[35YrsAfter]

Hey. Congrats. How wide was your scar? In similar situation.

One of our patients today had 4mm plug surgery many years ago. He wore a hairpiece for several years and recently began shaving his head after having SMP. The color looks pretty good and I think it has done a reasonable job of concealing his previous transplant work. I prefer trichopigmentation to SMP though, because the "dots" don't spread. Today he's having scalp hair grafted into the pattern of round scars in the traditional donor area on the back and sides of his head. This is the kind of situation where perseverance will pay off. I believe he will eventually be able to achieve a very natural look. He told me today that he is very happy to be out from under his hairpiece.

I can't stress enough the importance of having an artist perform your trichopigmentation procedure. Aggressive hairlines don't look natural and are a dead giveaway. Novice technicians have a tendency to place hairlines too low and don't vary the hairline color or "dot" density to a realistic degree.

35YrsAfter also posts as CITNews and works at Dr. Cole's office
forhair.com
Cole Hair Transplant
1045 Powers Place
Alpharetta, Georgia 30009
Phone 678-566-1011
email 35YrsAfter at chuck@forhair.com
I am not a doctor and the content of my posts are my opinions, not medical advice.
Please feel free to call or email me with any questions. Ask for Chuck