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Scalp micropigmentation removal – alteration

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Scalp Micropigmentation Removal – The Key Reason for consideration

hair transplant thoughts

Scalp micropigmentation removal, a phrase no one who as been through a SMP procedure ever expects to ‘Google’. Regrettably however Scalp micropigmentation removal is starting to become more and more prevalent within the SMP markets as the sector starts to see huge growth in the number of technicians training in the technique.

As little as only two years ago, here at Redeem Clinic we were seeing as few as one client every three months looking at our laser tattoo removal services in relation to their scalp micropigmentation removal requirements, we now see approximately 3-4 a month.

On the face of it 3-4 clients a month seeking SMP removal doesn’t sound many, yet when you consider the treatment is supposed to last many years, before rectification work is likely to be needed, then a tenfold increase in less than 24 months raises some questions?

So what are the clients looking for with regards to their scalp micropigmentation removal?

The first and most common request is to remove pigment that has spread making the dot size to large, which result in a very unnatural tattooed look.

 

scalp micropigmentation repair

 

Secondly removing pigment that has turned blue. There are various reasons why pigment turns blue. Most people suspect this is due to poor pigment being used, which can often be the case. This said depth of ink is often a common cause for the blue appearance. The pigment itself may be black, yet when seen through the layer of skin this can give a blue tinge appearance. UV can also fade the pigment to a blue looking colour yet this usually is only on old treatment not new treatments.

 

blue scalp micropigmentation

 

As fashions change so does, scalp micropigmentation. Initially many male clients were looking for very crisp, clean fringe/hair lines, yet over recent years this has moved to softer more natural look being requested. By utilising specialist laser heads, hard hair lines can be made to look soft with the removal of some pigmentation and reshaping of the area, this rarely can be achieved with re-working the area with SMP.

 

 

The final reason we find people wanting laser removal is due an overall poor standard of work, where there technician may have not drawn the hairline correctly, had a high density of pigment in one area over another, has highly densified all over giving the appearance of helmet head, or following a very worrying trend, microbladed their scalps to give a hair stroke appearance.

 

scalp micropigmentation horror

 

So what’s the reason for all of these issues? Well in our opinion it’s simple, when we entered the micropigmentation market several years ago there were less than a dozen clinics nation-wide offering the service. As the industry started to become more recognised more and more people started to train as technicians the vast majority were still not turning to SMP for their hair loss solution.

This above had a twofold negative effect, firstly with more technicians and only a slight increase in the customer base, the new un-established technicians struggled to gain enough clients to hone their skill sets and offer the exacting stands of the established technicians. Due to this many, relatively new technicians turned to training as a source of income also, resulting in the relatively inexperienced training the totally inexperienced and hence a slipping of quality standards.

In addition as competition become greater, some technicians are looking to attract customers with low prices. Where a low price may sound like a great deal for the customer in reality it often comes with its caveats.

 

scalp ink

 

Low prices often drive technicians to seek out the cheapest products for their treatments, be that needles, inks or aftercare. However more than often it means the technician will take less time on a treatment or rush to finish. Here at Redeem Clinic we rarely see removal clients that have to be clinic charging the appropriate price for their professional skill/experience yet we seem many from clinics offering prices too good to be true or offering huge discounts to gain custom.

So as the saying going ‘research is everything’. There is help out there should you be duped into a poor procedure or simply having a change of heart.

At Redeem clinic we don’t just carry out laser removal treatments yet as experienced SMP technicians ourselves we carry out repair treatments also.  For more above our services and removal treatments see here

Pigmentation removal and re-work

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So as a clinic that specialises in everything micropigmentation as well as pigmentation removal we cover several fields from microblading, semi permanent makeup, scalp micropigmentation, tricopigmentation, laser pigmentation removal and tattoo removal. The pigmentation removal part of our business is growing month in month out as we see clients wanting the removal of their poor eyebrow microblading and scalp micropigmentation treatments etc.

Having been entrenched in this field for the last 8 years, we are constantly seeing technicians who have only been carrying out treatments themselves for 1-2years turn to training other with their inexperienced techniques and methods. This is exasperating the situation in relation to poor results and the requirement for pigmentation removal. In additional as microblading and semi permanent makeup are now seen as a mainstream makeup technique they are becoming caught up in the field of fashion. Although traditional brow pencil, eyeliner and lipsticks can be easily wiped away, micropigmentation makeup isn’t so easy yet we see clients year in year our having laser pigmentation removal for last seasons look.

alopecia cover up

The good news is that as well as having highly experienced technicians capable of removing poor microblading and scalp micropigmentation results Redeem Clinic also have technicians with years and years experience in micropigmentation treatments so once the poor results have been removed by us we can then give the client the micropigmentation treatment results they were originally looking for (microblading, semi permanent makeup, scalp micropigmentation etc).

remorking microblading

Our reputation in the pigmentation removal field grows everyday even to the extent that we have actually been contacted today by a client in Switzerland who is looking to travel to us for his scalp micropigmentation treatment.

FREE Consultations, call us on 07738 75776 or use our contact page.

See more ref Scalp micropigmentation removal here or microblading removal on our sister website here

The importance of not using brow templates.

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The importance of not using brow templates with microblading and semi permanent makeup?

As makeup trends come and go, one trend that seems here to stay is microblading and semi permanent makeup. The problem here is that we all know trends don’t just refer to application techniques but also refer to design and look. Great when we can wipe it off and start again, yet troublesome when it comes to a treatment that lasts 18 months – 5 years ( see poor examples here)

brow template

At Redeem clinic we feel it important to keep up with fashion trends, yet more often than not we will guide the client to a more natural look. A look and shape that frames their face, a shape that is drawn on, wiped off, drawn on, wiped on etc until the client is 100% satisfied that this is the shape they want and not one simply that fashion dictates. In this way, the client then has a more naturally looking brow, one that once healed and if desired can have standard makeup applied to give that fashion look.

dark brows

The problem we feel with templates is that more often than not they are a case of ‘one size fits all’ and often simply follow high fashion. A highly trained technician, as those find at Redeem clinic, doesn’t need brow templates to reproduce a natural or high fashion look. We recognise that each face, shape and desire differ from one person to another.

eyebrow templates

The problem we feel with templates is that more often than not they are a case of ‘one size fits all’ and often simply follow high fashion. A highly trained technician, as those find at Redeem clinic, doesn’t need brow templates to reproduce a natural or high fashion look (see here). We recognise that each face, shape and desire differ from one person to another.

Above are a few examples of clients (last couple of weeks) that were happy to share their immediate after treatment photos. You can see some more before and after microblading photos etc on our sister website www.micro-blading.co.uk 

*Results vary from client to client

 

Microblading Hull £50 off, inc Leeds, Halifax Clinics

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microblading hull £50 offPhoto by Philip Veater on Unsplash

Our Microblading Hull offer also extends to our other clinic in Leeds, Halifax, Harrogate and Sheffield also.

As one of the longest established micropigmentation businesses in Hull, Laura has treated 1000’s of satisfied clients to date and is truly an expert in her field of practice. Unlike others that charge high fee’s to reflect their high level of expertise Laura believes in ‘affordable excellence’, the same levels of expertise yet at a fee that ensures satisfied clients who are constantly happy to refer and come back time and time again. This is why her Microblading Hull business grows year in year out.

So if you’re looking for a highly experienced microblading Hull technician with a very high level of expertise that won’t break the bank, then Laura’s current offers are a must when considering Microblading in Hull. Laura’s current £50 off offer results in a sensational price of only £199 for semi permanent makeup brow treatments or £259 microblading brow treatments. You’ll need to apply for a voucher here which you can claim here at https://www.redeemclinic.co.uk/voucher/. The offer celebrates the launch of our new dedicated microblading site at www.micro-blading.ink for more information

 

£50 off microblading

 

Having treated over 2000 clients to date Laura’s microblading skills should not be confused with new technicians or lower grade technicians that often charge low prices simply to attract new customers. Laura quite easily could charge in the region of £350 – £450 for her eyebrow microblading in Hull services, as do some of the microblading hull technicians yet in continuing her philosophy of ‘affordable excellence’ Laura knows that her appointment book will continue to be booked weeks/months in advance as it has been for the past 8 years.

As you may have already appreciated from our ‘FAQ’s and Prices’ page Redeem Clinic already offer exception value for money treatments in relation to all our micropigmentation services yet we are wanting our customers to also celebrate the launch of a new era and our new website. You can use the discount voucher anytime up to 30th November 2019. Please note this is for new customers only we’re afraid.

Microblading versus Semi Permanent makeup

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Within the UK Microblading has taken the semi permanent * brow market by storm over the past couple of years. The main reason for this seems to be the low entry cost for the technicians to enter the industry in return for promises of high income opportunities. Although microblading has been around for a very long time indeed in Asia it is only a relatively new industry in the UK and has latched onto the coat tails of the micropigmentation and semi permanent makeup industry to the extent that many people are now seeing these treatments to be the same. Although there are similarities there are some fundamental difference, which we hope to highlight here. With microblading also looking set to enter the Scalp micropigmentation / Tricopigmentation markets also then many of the comments below relate also.

 

The Leading Differences

The leading difference between the two disaplines of Microblanding versus Semi permanent makeup (micropigmentation) seems to be the promise of a semi permanent procedure. As microblading relies the technician using a hand held knife to enter pigments into the skin via cutting the skin and applying the pigment into the area cut. Whereas with semi permanent makeup (micropigmentation) a precision digital hand piece similar (yet not) to a tattoo gun inserts pigment directly into the skin with a single needle (some times the device can have up to 5 needle heads at a time, yet more often than not 1-3 needles). The digital hand devises can control the depth of the needle and consequently the depth the pigment is entered into the skin (usually from 0.5mm to 3mm). With Microblading the depth of the ink that enters the skin is wholly reliant on the hand dexterity of the technician. When we realise that on overage the epidermis layer of the skin to the brow area is only 0.5mm thick then with microblading there is a high likelihood that the very vast majority of the pigments used will enter into the dermis layer of the skin. Pressure is required for the microblades to cut the skin and consequently added to hand dexterity it is very difficult to control cutting too deeply into the dermis. Once pigments enters the dermis layer of the skin, they act as tattoo’s and predominantly become permanent especially where the cuts are deep within the dermis. With semi permanent makeup the depth in which the pigment enters the skin can be highly controlled via the digital hand piece ensuring an even depth throughout ensuring a high concentration of pigment only enter the dermis layer of the skin.

microblading ink depth

 

Is the ink permanent?

It’s true that with Microblading versus semi permanent makeup both forms of treatment can result in permanent pigments within the skin. In reality with semi-permanent makeup, to ensure the pigments last 18months – 5 years, then a small amount of pigment will enter the upper top layers of the dermis in the skin and as explained above these pigments often then become permanent. The latter said as there is only a controlled amount of pigment entered to the upper layer and over time as cell replace around them then the pigment becomes lighter and lighter to the extent where it can be very hard to see any remaining pigment at all. On average with microblading a much higher level of pigment enters the dermal layer of the skin, whilst also on average being entered into the skin in greater depth. Meaning over time more of the microbladed inks becomes permanent over time and as there is more permanent ink they are much more prominent and noticeable.

semi permanent makeup ink depth

 

Do they require ‘Topup’ treatments?

When researching microblading versus semi permanent makeup people will notice that most technicians will suggest having a top-up treatment every 18-24 months. This is due to that fact that in both cases ink that was inserted into the epidermis layer of the skin will have exfoliated over time, reducing the depth of colour in each instance. Also often a proportion of the pigments within the inks used will be micro-pigments in nature and again over time the macrophages / our immune systems see these micro-pigments as alien particles within our skin attacking them and taking them away (as with virus particles etc). With microblading, as there is a strong likelihood that more ink is entered into the dermis layer of the skin than with semi permanent makeup then consequently more permanent ink remains. Over time this permanent ink can tend to migrate a little as well as change colour subject to the effects of UV/Sunlight, so where we once had wonderfully realistic hair strokes we not have faded, somewhat larger unnatural lines. This is where top-up treatments come into play. With microblading more natural more crisp hairline strokes are added, over and around the existing pigment, which initially revitalise the brows, making them look much more natural and on point. In reality what the microblade technician has unwittingly done is enter ever more pigment into the mid/upper area of the dermis. In years to come the latter means added hair strokes will be indestinquisable from black pigment below, resulting in a grey powder effect over a hair by hair look. As the microblade industry is only relatively young within the UK markets we are only just starting to see these consequences take place (with our microblade brow laser removal business becoming busier and busier). Well doesn’t the same happen with semi permanent makeup also then once it has been touched up? In reality it is still possible yet very rarely seen. Semi permanent makeup has been around in the UK for approx 10 years nows and in the case of the very vast majority of our clients the deduction of colour has been so great that we have yet be able to achieve the hair by hair appearance in the brow and none have turned to a full powder effect. It simply makes logical sense the less ink that enters the dermis the crisper the appearance of ink applied over the top.

*Microbladed brows after two years showing red shadow (around natural brows)

 

Are there long term issues?

Taking into consideration the last paragraph above then when considering microblading versus semi permanent makeup can it be really said that the long term results from microblading have been tried and tested? Over the past 7 years since we entered the market of semi permanent makeup we have only ever seen one client seeking their semi permanent makeup brows to be removed via our laser removal service (not our client), however in the last 4 months alone we have carried out 8 microbladed/tattooed brow laser removal treatments alone. Also this month, Google have refused to allow anyone from advertising semi permanent treatments for microbladed brows etc as they have said they have received too many complaints in reference to the promise of semi permanent (you now have to go through quite a long and indepth qualification procedure to use this wording, as semi permanent makeup technicians ourselves we are proud to have carried out this procedure and still able to advertise with Google).

microbladed brows pre laser treatment

* Microbladed brows with permanent ink remaining prior to 1st laser removal treatment

So now you know some of the leading differences between microblading and semi permanent makeup you may understand why Redeem Clinic choose not to offer microblading services. Semi permanent makeup results, look as great as microbladed brows, have all the convenience of microbladed brows, can be used to create hair by hair, 3D as well as powder effect brows, yet predominately without the long term issues we’re just starting to see from within this very new microblade market. Lets face it if microblading was a good as semi permanent makeup, it costs the company far less to carry out a procedure and had no issues, then why wouldn’t Redeem Clinic choose to offer it?  There’s always someone looking for a cheaper alternative yet in the well used words it seems that with microblading you may ‘get what you pay for’?

See our before and after photos

 

*Treatment results vary from client to client

3D Scalp micropigmentation

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We’ve all seen some great scalp micropigmentation pictures and results, yet in reality in the cold light of day these treatments when captured at an awkward angle can sometime look flat or washed out. This is where 3D scalp micropigmentation comes into play, utilising differently toned pigments and different needle sizes the hair follicles can be given the illusion of depth, thus giving a very natural and authentic appearance all round.

3D scalp micropigmentation UK*

3D scalp micropigmentation is only really suitable for the shaved head appearance. Where some clients may need the 3D scalp micropigmentation appearance to blend in with their existing hair this form of procedure can often best benefit clients with total hair loss or Alopecia totalis.

The 3D scalp micropigmentation effect is achieved by adding a final layer of pigment after the normal procedure would otherwise be deemed complete. This layer is somewhat darker, applied with a thinner needle, and more sparsely distributed over the treatment area. The thinner needle draws more ink closer to the surface of the skin and given the addition of a darker pigment also then this gives the illusion of a natural 3D effect. It is important to remember that the 3D scalp micropigmentation effect is simply an optical illusion and will not change the surface texture of the skin, this said, unless you’re closer than 300mm away from the scalp it’s almost impossible to differentiate from natural follicles.

3D scalp micropigmentation*

Redeem clinic can replicate this procedure with both forms of their scalp pigmentation process be it Trico-pigmentation* of Scalp Micropigmentation*, once again proving themselves to be at the cutting edge and skill sets within the industry.

*Results may vary from person to person

Is Scalp Tattooing Haram and consequently is Scalp-Micro pigmentation Haram?

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So is scalp tattooing Haram? As we know Scalp-micropigmentation (Scalp Tattooing) is a form of tattooing the scalp with pigment to permanently represent hair follicles to the scalp. As with traditional tattooing the pigments used within scalp-micropigmentation are inserted into the dermis layer of the skin using needles/tattoo guns. The pigments used are of a size that the body can not break down and as a method of protecting itself the body wraps the pigments in collagen within the dermis layer of the skin, this results in these pigments staying permanently within the dermis layer of the skin. This is where the main question is Scalp tattooing Haram derives from. The Tricopigmentation or Pigmentalia form of SMP only inserts pigments into the dermis layer of the skin and consequently the body reacts differently to these pigments. The pigment/follicle effect within Tricopigmentation or Pigmentalia is only temporary and not permanent* as over time the epidermis layer of our skin exfoliated and with this the inserted pigments exfoliate also. The latter exfoliation can take 12-18 months and consequently these forms of SMP are not permanent *.

scalp micropigmentation haram photo*

For many within the Muslim faith tattooing is Haram and subsequently for those that believe this it naturally implies that traditional scalp-micropigmentation and scalp tattooing is Haram also as the pigments permanently mark the skin. Reading through the internet you’ll find varying opinions with regards to is tattooing haram, yet on a whole it would appear that majority of opinions suggest that any form of permanent tattooing is Haram. Among many a leading Muslim internet site quotes:-

‘Tattooing, in which the skin is pierced with a needle and a blue or other coloured dye is injected, is haraam in all forms, whether it causes pain or not, because it involves changing the creation of Allaah, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who does tattoos and the one for whom that is done. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “May Allaah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and alter the creation of Allaah.” (al-Bukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, al-Libaas, 5538). 

With regard to all these matters, the ahaadeeth testify that the one who does them is cursed and that they are major sins. There is some difference of scholarly opinion as to the reason why they are forbidden. It was said that it is because they are a form of deception, and it was said that it is because it is a way of changing the creation of Allaah, as Ibn Mas’ood said – which is more correct and also includes the first meaning. And it was suggested that what is forbidden is only that which is permanent, because that is changing the creation of Allaah; as for that which is not permanent, such as kohl which used for adornment by women, that is permitted by the scholars. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/393).’ 

So if what is referred to in the question is that which is not permanent, then it is not a tattoo as such and does not change the creation’( https://islamqa.info/en/20283 )

scalp tattoo haram picture

The above points may still from time to time be challenged by those of the Muslim faith with regards to is scalp tattooing haram and subsequently is Scalp micropigmentation Haram yet it strongly suggests that there are few such questions when considering Tricopigmentation (Pigmentalia) as a true hair loss solution * for those within this faith sector.

*Results may vary from person to person

Tricopigmentation versus Scalp Micropigmentation the facts

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Tricopigmentation* versus Scalp Micopigmentation the FACTS as we see them

It’s true ‘life changing’ benefits can be found in both Tricopigmentation* treatments as well as traditional scalp micropigmentation yet as both industries expand many businesses are choosing to put their hard sell before the facts or allowing their clients an informed decision. In the world of aesthetics both Tricopigmentation* and scalp micropigmentation are relatively new forms of treatment with the first ever treatment being carried out by HIS HAIR in 2002. Since then the industry has been growing at a steady rate, yet seems have gained most of it growth and expansion over the last five years. The latter would appear to be as a result of the principle lead individuals within the industry turning their businesses from one to one treatment clinics to the more lucrative world of training houses.

As you read more and more about the world of Tricopigmentation* and Scalp Micropigmentation you will doubtless note that in the whole the majority of media and advertising within the industry is driven by only half a dozen key players within the market. As a whole we believe that the information that these half dozen businesses post out is very informative and lets the client know exactly what they can expect from the alternate treatment they may choose to undertake yet as more and more stand-alone businesses start to enter the market place there seems to be a considerable increase in ‘tit for tat’ misleading information about both Tricopigmentation* and scalp micropigmentation treatments. Here we hope to give some of the industry facts as we see them so you can evaluate the pros and cons for yourselves.

TECHNICIAN TRAINING

Scalp Micropigmentation:- Due to the large variety of training available for SMP it probably best to just example the world’s largest Scalp micropigmentation business and training house which is Scalp Aesthetics. Training, with equipment costs $3000 (USD), with all training being self-taught online over the internet (Although the business does offer one to one training the very vast majority of trained technicians will have qualified through the online course only). Once certification is granted then the technician is limited to practice within a small geographical area with up to 50% of client treatment costs going to the Scalp Aesthetics training house.

Tricopigmentation*:-  Tricopigmentation* was invented and established by Golden Eye of Italy and only the technicians trained by them can officially use the trademark Tricopigmentation*. All training is a minimum of 10 days of one to one training, with up to 3 months post training treatment requirements prior to qualification. Training with equipment costs $11000 (USD). Once certification is granted then the technician can practice anywhere within the world with no limitations and no commissions to the training house.

TREATMENT EQUIPMENT

Scalp Micopigmentation:- Standard off the shelf tattoo guns and needles. This said however many training houses have designed and produced their own unique fine needles for better hair follicle representation. The quality of the ink insertion via the use of the tattoo gun is wholly down to the dexterity and experience of the technician.

Tricopigmentation*:- Despoke designed micropigmentation machine, hand piece, needles and ink shroud. On a whole the bespoke needles are much finer than those of scalp micropigmentation. The hand piece can be set to give an exact depth of ink each and every time to mitigate different depths of ink which can result in a differing hair follicle results. The unique ink shroud temporarily (wipes off) marks to the surface of the skin to help guide the technician to a consistency of hair follicle placement.

INKS

Scalp Micopigmentation:- With the large number of training houses, clinics and technicians involved in the scalp micropigmentation industry there are a vast amount of different inks within the sector. These vary from standard tattoo inks, semi-permanent inks and bespoke designed inks specifically for the SMP market. Many traditional tattoo inks and especially semi permanent makeup inks are made up from a variety of pigments that over time can change colour, leaving a blue, green or red tinge. The majority of bespoke inks have been designed to prevent this with some being 100% charcoal based however this tends to limit the colour tones available to the client with regards to matching their own natural hair colour.

Tricopigmentation*:- Tricopigmentation* artists are limited to the bespoke inks designed by the Goldeneye business for unique use within the tricopigmentation* treatments. The inks are keratin based to replicate the natural hair colouring as much as possible. The inks are designed never to change colour during the life of the treatment and can be matched to suit all hair colours (excluding light blonde and red hair).

DEPTH OF INK

Scalp Micopigmentation:- The principle of scalp micropigmentation is to enter the ink pigments into the dermis layer of the scalp to ensure the inks stay permanently within the skin. As the technicians on a whole use traditional tattoo guns to enter the ink into the skin then the depth the needle enters the skin is wholly dependent on the hand dexterity of the technician and consequently in many cases the ink enters the skin at various depths. The skin on the scalp is normally much thinner than that found on other areas of the body and therefore the majority of ink is generally entered into the dermis layer of the skin. The latter inks will remain permanently in the skin yet pigments that do not reach the dermis layer are not permanent which on occasion can lead to long term inconsistency of follicle placement.

Tricopigmentation*:- Tricopigmentation* inks are not designed to be permanent and as such only enter the epidermis layer of the skin. As the skin on the scalp is thin then precision equipment is required to ensure the pigments are only entered into the top layer of the Skin (epidermis ) and not lower down into the dermis layer of the skin. The bespoke micropigmentation equipment used within Tricopigmentation* is designed to ensure a consistency of needle depth enabling pigment only to be entered into the epidermis which generally results in a consistency of follicle placement and fading.

BLURING AND BLEEDING OF INKS

Scalp Micropigmentation:- The reality of any tattoo is that over time the inks the enter the dermis layer of the skin will blur and migrate. We all have that family member or friend who had bright, crisp and colourful tattoos years ago and that over time have now faded / blurred . The reality is very much the same with scalp micropigmentation. The crisp and bright hair ink follicle representations that initially look perfect and just what the client was looking for will in years to come start to look much more unnatural as the inks migrate and blur. In an attempt to counter act this reality many scalp micropigmentation clinic will advise the client to have a top up every 3-5 years to add newer more natural inks follicles back into the scalp, this can obviously result in over densification which tends never to look as natural as the initial application and in the worst instances over further years to come can result in helmet head (where pigments migrate into one another resulting in dense black areas of the skalp).

Tricopigmentation*:- The epidermis layer of the skin naturally exfoliates and replenishes itself over time and as this process takes place pigments that have entered this area of the skin will eventually disperse from the skins surface. Tricopigmentation* inks are inserted into the bottom layers of the epidermis just above the basement membrane of the skin and subsequent dermis layer. Over time as the skin replenishes itself from below then the tricopigmentation* inks start to be pushed towards the surface of the skin. This process can be exaggerated as the top layer of the skin is exfoliated. Dry skin types tend to exfoliate more that hydrated skin types and dependant on the individuals body mechanisms skin replenishments varies between individuals. Taking these factors into account it is not possible to give an exact amount of time Tricopigmentation* inks will stay in the skin yet experience tells us that on average most client inks will reach the exfoliation layer at 18 months. Clients that moisturise their scalp, do not exfoliate the skin and use shampoos with the correct PH levels can see pigments lasts up to 24-36 months (however in reality as most men don’t follow this routine the 18 months applies). What does this mean in relation to the blurring and bleeding of inks, well quite simply with their unique formula the inks don’t have time to migrate, bleed and blur and subsequently look crisp and clear through the whole process.

NEED FOR CHANGE

Scalp Micropigmentation:- The leading advantage of Scalp Micropigmentation over Tricopigmentation is that it is permanent yet some see this to be its main downfall too. As we age, although most of us want to maintain our youthful looks actually many of us also want to appear to be aging naturally (if not a little younger whilst doing so). The 20 years olds hairline we received through Scalp micropigmentation at the age of 30 may have been ‘passable’ at the time yet when we are 40/50, then how does this really make us look? As we age our desires and tastes change meaning that that sharp cut hairline we once loved we may in future want to be subtle blending curves. Clients that have had densification to fill out that receding hairline may not want to have to resort the shave hair look in years to come as all their natural hair in this area eventually falls out. Then there is the fact that 50% of the population will have grey hair by the age of 50, how will the treated dark follicle hair pigmented area of our scalps look again those ever increasing greying areas?

Permanent ink for the vast majority means just that and as such scalp micropigmentation offer clients little flexibility in the future without alternative treatment risks.

Tricopigmentation*:- As Tricopigmentation* is not permanent then it is ultimately adaptable in years to come. As we enter our 40’s and 50’s many of us become reconciled with our hair loss and become quietly confident with letting our hairline recede and thin, whereas when we were in our 20’s and 30’s this was not the case. For those in this situation then Tricopigmentation* allows them to resort to their natural hair without the application of any further hair replication or treatments in the future. For those that want to retain the more youthful yet natural look as they age into their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s etc then Tricopigmentation* easily allows for hairlines to be altered and those thinning crown areas etc to be densified as and when needed .

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL OPTIONS

Scalp Micropigmentation:- Many Scalp Micropigmentation clinics and technicians now offer laser tattoo removal as a means of tackling this issues of clients wanting change in the future, bleed/blurring and helmet head issues. Unlike traditional laser tattoo removal clinics most Scalp micropigmentation technicians are not highly experienced or highly trained in laser tattoo removal as they will only treat a handful of clients a year (you only need to carry out a 1.5hr course on line in order to pick up a laser gun). It’s true that laser tattoo removal is quite capable of removing scalp micropigmentation pigments yet more than often it is not the quick fix many will claim. There are no guarantees that laser can remove all pigments, especially given the vast amount of varying pigments in the market. Non true colour pigments can change colour when treated with a laser. If semi permanent inks have been used the pigments can be smelted by the laser and if this is the case the pigment can stay permanently under the skin and can only be surgically removed. On average if successful tattoo pigment removal will take at least a year to removal with a laser (very best removal can be expected after 3-4 treatments, yet industry averages are 11 treatments for total removal). There is a heightened risk of scaring with laser tattoo removal on the scalp due to the thinness of the skin. As well as clients not wanting scars, scars make it very difficult to remove pigment thereafter. Due to the laser treatment the scalp can blister, swell or bleed and pigment is not uniformly removed or faded often leading to an unsightly aesthetic for the periods in between the laser tattoo removal taking place. Finally for those black skin types and dark Asian skin types then laser tattoo removal is not possible due to high hypopigmentation risks and the fact that insurers will not cover the process for these skin types.

Tricopigmentation*:- Laser tattoo removal can be used on Tricopigmentation* inks yet as the treatment is not permanent there is no real reason for laser tattoo removal and the incumbent risks.

TREATMENT COSTS

Scalp Micropigmentation:- Costs take into consideration the average anticipated life requirement for the treatement being 21 year. From information currently available the average costs found for Scalp micropigmentation are £2000 to £3000 (plus Vat) for a Norwood 6 hairline. If we take the lowest price initial treatment costs and add the worst case scinaorio of a top-up being required every 3 years we have calculated the below figure.

Treatment for a Norwood scale 6 client:-

Scalp Micro pigmentation (hair tattoo) £2000 intial treatment, £1000 per 3 year top-up (x7)= 21 year of treatments

Scalp Micropigmanention life time costs total £9000**

**Does not account for laser tattoo removal costs, inflation or Vat

Tricopigmentation*:- Costs take into consideration the average anticipated life requirement for the treatment being 21 year. From costs obtain from Redeem Clinic then a Norwood 6 hairline Tricopigmentation* treatment would be £1250. If we take the price of the initial treatment costs and add top-up schedule advised by the company as a worse-case scenario then we have calculated the below figures.

Tricopigmentation* £1250 initial treatment, 6 month top-up (if required) £249, 12 month top-up £425, Each following year £212 (x 20) = 21 year of treatments

Tricopigmentation* life time cost total £6164**

**Does not account for inflation

So there we have it the differences between each treatment as we see them. Its apparent to us that there seems to be leading advantages of Tricopigmentation* over and above scalp micropigmentation, yet we’re realists when it comes to appreciating everyone is different and have their own desires and requirements. The above may appear biased as Redeem Clinic offer Tricopigmentation* (don’t forget we also offer SMP too) yet genuinely this blog is simply trying to dispel the myths from both sides with regards to the pro’s and con’s of both treatments and consequently we hope you find it helpful.

*Results may vary from person to person

The full ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of Scalp micropigmentation laser removal

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Having posted a couple of replies on the Scalp Guru website recently in relation to somebodies concerns regarding understanding the whole ins and outs of scalp micropigmentation laser removal *

Here at Redeem Clinic we were carrying out laser tattoo remove* years before we expand our client services into scalp Tricopigmentation* and SMP services and not wanting to big ourselves up to much we have become somewhat experts in this field, offering ND Laser tattoo removal*, Ruby laser tattoo removal* as well as alternate Rejuvi tattoo removal services. Over the years we’ve seen clients with all forms of tattoos from standard Indian inks tattoos, full colour artistic tattoos, semi-permanent makeup tattoos as well as scalp micropigmentation laser removal* and therefore have a deep understanding of how pigments vary and consequently how results differ when treating them with laser.

The vast majority of Scalp micropigmentation and Scalp tattoos will use a dark coloured ink. Many people believe these inks to be single colour black inks, yet in the many cases this is not the case. This historically is where scalp micropigmentation and scalp tattooing have hit a problem when it comes to laser tattoo removal (there is no need to laser Tricopigmentation treatments). Many technicians rightfully choose a pigment that will match the clients natural hair pigment. In order to gain the various tones of pigment these inks need to be mixed with other colours to help give the tone (as per the example in the chart below).

We know over time that as well as the slight blurring / bleeding of effect of inks entered into the dermis layer using the traditional scalp micropigmentation techniques that often  these inks will appear to have a blue / green tinge to them and in some cases a red tinge. As the scalp tattoo ages the ink particles tend to migrated a little over time, slightly increase in size and thus often end up showing the other pigments contained within the inks.

So what does this all mean in relation to laser tattoo removal for scalp-micropigmentation? Well simply put it often means the tattoo ink is not as easy to remove as some clinics would have you believe.

Firstly lasers can only remove certain colours. Some will tell you that lasers can remove all colours of pigment, yet to our knowledge and the physics behind current laser technology then this statement is entirely untrue. A company called Picosure recently made such claims about their laser yet allegedly the anecdotal evidence has proved this is not the case, so much so that alleged law suits have been brought against the company in relation to such claims. The picture below shows one of our recent clients that has had 6 sessions of laser with a Picosure machines and as can clearly be seen it has left the red, blues, green and yellows of the old tattoo.

helmet head smp

The above said however, this doesn’t mean that the right lasers can’t remove scalp micropigmentation inks it just means it’s wise to know the laser which remove which inks. These are as follows:-

  • ND Yag (Q switch lasers) can remove Black, Blue, Red and some brown pigments
  • Ruby (Q switch lasers) can remove, Black, Blue and Green pigments
  • Alexandrite lasers can remove can remove, Black, Blue and Green pigments

You will note that none of the above will remove yellow or white pigment, yet these pigments are often found in many inks used within the scalp micropigmentation industry.

So as we can be see that not all colours can be removed by laser and even though the above lasers can remove the vast majority of colours within scalp micropigmentation inks there comes other issues.

If the client has any green tinge pigments within their scalp inks then they will need to use a Ruby or Alexandrite laser to remove them. The lasers are fully capable of removing these pigments, yet should only be used on white skin types. Dark olive skin, Asian skin and black skin types treated with these lasers have a strong risk of hypopigmentation (where the melanin under the skin is destroyed leaving strong white pigment areas) and consequently should not be treated with laser.

helmet head smp.*

With all forms of laser tattoo removal there comes trauma to the skin area treated, most of this is superficial, swelling, bleeding, bruising, blistering and will dissipate over a few days/weeks. This said however the long term risk of scaring is a very real one and naturally an unwanted consequence of some laser tattoo removal treatments. Industry risk show scaring as a result of laser tattoo removal to be found in 6% of clients, yet this is very much dependant on the knowledge and skill of the technician using the equipment. Also these industry figures relate to in general to standard tattoos and not scalp tattoos. The skin on our scalps tends to scar more easily, this is normally because the skin on the scalp and as such more susceptible to trauma.

The other thing we’re not often told by our laser tattoo removal technicians is that there are no guarantees that all the pigment can be removed in its entirety and if some cases not at all. In relation to the latter, some people are not suitable for laser tattoo removal treatment. When the ink is broken down by the laser it relies on the bodies immune system and blood flow to remove the micropigments created by the laser from within the tattoo area. Some peoples immune systems do not cope well with this process or will react negatively to the process, which can make the client unwell as well as resulting in none removal. Happy though most clients respond well and this is not an issue. However in some instances technicians will use semi permanent inks within scalp micropigmentation (not to be confused with Tricopigmentation inks which are different). These inks very often contain high levels of oxides within the pigment (designed to help the inks exfoliate in the epidermis layer of the skin and thus making them semi permanent) and when these pigments are zapped by the laser then the heat process incurred can actually fuse some of this pigment oxides together. If the latter happens then these pigments will stay permanently in the skin and can only be removed surgically.

Although lasers have been used with the scalp micropigmentation industry for almost 10 years the very vast majority of laser removal has only been seen in the past 18-24 months as the industry recognises that ‘helmet head’ (the primary results of too many top ups) has started to become an issue and also as some clients age they want to revert to a more age appropriate hair line. Within this same period the Chinese market has started to flood the industry with cheap ND Yag lasers. Add this to the fact that within the UK especially (and some other counties) that a new technician only needs to do the ‘core of knowledge’ course online (a 40 minute course) to qualify them to use a laser on clients then you can only imagine the issues this could cause a client. The advantage to the cheap Chinese ND Yag lasers is that due to their very low entry price into the market they tend on average to be low powered units and although therefore struggle with total pigment removal scaring risks can be reduced (when in fully qualified hands).

laser tattoo removal others*

We then move to the realities involving the actual amount of time and money it takes to carry out laser tattoo removal. Although laser treatment prices have dropped dramatically in recent years (mainly due to the above mentioned factors) the average treatment in the UK for laser treatment is £20-£25 per square inch treated. Fine if it a small area, yet consider the price for a full scalp. Add to this that industry average for laser tattoo removal of pigments requires 11 treatments then this figure can soon become very high. Yes there seems to be a reality that scalp micropigmentation treatments need less laser treatments than the average tattoo due to the fact that in most cases the ink is not so concentrated or as deep within the skin, however there are no statistics for this within the industry so we can only work with known figures. We also need to remember that average are drawn from highs and lows and where one client may see removal within 3-4 treatments due to varying factors other will require 12-15. No technician regardless of their ability is able to advise a client of how many treatments will be needed to remove a certain persons tattoo due to the variables involved, type of ink, colours within in, depth and concentration of ink, strength of persons immune system etc. Generally a qualified laser tattoo removal technician will suggest at least 6 weeks between treatment meaning it can on average take at least a year to remove a tattoo. This is not great for any form of tattoo yet at least the vast majority of normal tattoos are covered with clothing during this period where as scalps are not, meaning a somewhat unsightly appearance for quite long periods of time.

For those who think I may be biased in relation to this article due to the fact that our clinics only perform Trico-pigmentation treatments that do not require the use of laser removal, I would simply say I’m firstly responding to a request from others to understand more in relation to the removal of SMP with lasers. Secondly for as little as £50 our clinics could start treating scalp micropigmentation, after all the majority of techniques are the same as Trico and we would only need to purchase a traditional tattoo gun (the £50) in order to carry out the treatments and in doing so broaden our clinics appeal, client base and income. The simple truth of the matter is we choose only to offer Trico due to many of the issues outlined in this article as well as various other long term concerns there are with SMP. So in short I suppose I am a little biased yet only with regards to placing the client first over and above our business revenues. We know reputation is everything and following the latter client first principles then I hope our business is still here in many years to come.

Mike Cherrington

Partner & Lead laser technician within Redeem Clinics

*Results may vary from person to person

Laser SMP removal for Black and Asian skin types?

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Should I have scalp laser tattoo removal if I have black or Asian Skin?

If you have been doing your research in relation to scalp micropigmentation (SMP), Scalp tattooing and Tricopigmentation* then you have possibly seen treatment being carried out on both black and dark Asian skin types. All these three forms of treatment can initially have some very impressive before and after photos, however what we see rarely are the after photos 2-5 years down the line. There’s often very good reason for this, as explained before with regards to Scalp micropigmentation and scalp tattooing, over time the vast majority of permanent ink pigments inserted into the dermis layer of the skin start to blur and spread slightly. The easiest way to visualise this is to consider a normal tattoo which has recently been applied to an arm for example, its nice and crisp with sharp defined edges, however similar tattoos that are several years old will be slightly blurred with less defined edges and the colour is no longer sharp and vivid. So now consider the same happening to your scalp tattoo, those hair follicle are no long crisp and sharp, may have changed colour slightly or increased in size giving an unrealistic noticeable appearance. However the scalp micropigmentation and scalp tattooing say they have the answer for this problem, simple laser tattoo removal?

smp laser removal

So in future your scalp micropigmentation or scalp tattoo is not how you want it to appear, you have black or dark Asian skin and you return back to the studio you initially had the treatment at to have scalp laser tattoo removal and new fresh crisp pigment re-applied. All sounds great, a nice easy way to keep your scalp looking perfectly natural for many years to come. The issue is the vast majority of scalp micropigmentation artist in the UK market today have very little if any experience with regards to scalp laser tattoo removal. A fully trained and experienced laser tattoo removal technician will tell you that laser tattoo removal may NOT be possible on dark and Asian skin types. The skin types that typically fall within skin types 5 & 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale ( you can test which Fitzpatrick skin type you are here ) are recommended not be treated with laser tattoo removal. To our knowledge there are currently no insurance companies in the country that will insure a laser technician to treat a client with such skin types. This is due to the very real risk of the laser ‘zapping’ the dark melanin under the skin, consequently killing the melanin and causing hypopigmentation  . As the melanin has been killed it leaves white areas of skin, which often regrettably become permanent.

If the client is not quite as dark and on the Fitzpatrick scale and fall into level 4 then some laser tattoo removal clinics may carry out scalp laser tattoo removal on a client . Dependant on the laser used (especially Ruby laser)  the risk of hypopigmentation is still reasonably high and more often than not the technician will ask the client to sign a waiver indemnifying the clinic from blame should hypopigmentation occur. You should be mindful that in some instances although hypopigmentation has occurred, we have observed that within client which fall within the Fitzpatrick level 4, that sometimes the melanin will recover over the course of several months (3-9 months), however unfortunately there are no absolute guarantees of such recovery so caution should be taken.

scalp laser tattoo removal*

Picture above is obviously an example only of hypopigmentation and not a result of scalp laser tattoo removal (naturally no one wants to publish these ).

So what’s our recommendation? Well if you’re considering Scalp micropigmentation or scalp tattooing and you believe you may fall within a Fitzpatrick scale 4-6 we firstly recommend that you carry out a Fitzpatrick test (there are plenty of free options available online) to confirm this. We feel we should point out that despite obvious skin tone, sometimes regardless of colour, due to hypersensitivity of some peoples melanin they may still fall into Fitzpatrick levels 4-6 (this has been seen in many white Caucasians also) and subsequently all good laser clinics should test ALL their clients on the Fitzpatrick scale prior to laser removal taking place.

If you do fall within a level 4-6 then you should be asking yourself, will I be happy with my scalp micropigmentation or scalp tattoo for the rest of my life, will that hair line of a 30 year old look right when I’m 50 or 60, will it still look natural in years to come, will the pigments bleed and blur, can I trust my technician to put my concerns 1st before their profits? If you have any of these doubts then we simply suggest, due to the very real risks of hypopigmentation for future laser removal, that you look at other viable hair follicle replication or transplant procedures as scalp micropigmentation or scalp tattooing may not be for you?

Early in this article we mentioned Tricopigmentation* as an option in relation to scalp micropigmentation. With Tricopigmentation* you achieve very similar results as will scalp tattooing etc, yet as the pigments only enters the epidermis layer of the skin then in years to come the pigment eventually exfoliates from within the skin allowing for fresh new pigment to be inserted to give that crisp new natural hair follicle look once again or give a new realistic hair line to suite the ageing process of the client. As the pigments within tricopigmentation* do not go into the dermis layer of the skin as with scalp micropigmentation then they do not require scalp laser tattoo removal. The latter meaning Tricopigmentation* (sometimes called pigmentalia) is a first choice consideration for all black and Asian skin types when it comes to considering hair follicle micropigmentation.

*Results may vary from person to person