Scalp Tattooing that Looks Like Hair?

[Balding Blog]

Hi Dr Rassman,
Since I like the close cropped look and I am probably a Norwood 4 leaning towards 5, I am considering getting cosmetic hair tattoos to the scalp. What do you think about this place? The results look great in the photos, but I’ll ask to see some patients in person of course (thanks for putting that in my head!). Here’s the place. They are in the UK, but I’ve got family there and have been wanting to visit anyway.

HIS Hair Clinic (http://www.hishairclinic.com/gallery/)

http://www.baldingforum.com/photos/100419_tattoo.jpgI would definitely want to see some real patients up close before deciding on tattoos like this. As I’ve written before, I have seen scalp tattoos that try to mimic hair, but what I’ve seen has been unimpressive and some even seem to have a greenish tint as well (maybe it is the ink or the artist — I have no idea, as I am not a tattoo expert). I understand tattoo technology has evolved, but drawing what looks like hair on the scalp can be tricky.

The photos presented by the clinic you linked to are quite nice, I will admit. I’m sure these results look fine from a distance, but I wonder if you’re sitting across from someone at dinner would it look like someone drew on their scalp with a pen? If the light hits your head wouldn’t it still shine like a bald head? Over time, tattoos with fine lines will blur… so how will that change on the scalp? I know there’s at least one scalp tattoo place that posts comments on this site from time to time, so perhaps they can post below to inform us about that.

I do recall one patient who did draw (non-permanent) individual hairs on his bald head to mimic a close shaved look, but it took many hours, special artistry, and skill. He eventually went on the have a hair transplant procedure.

Tags: hair loss (http://technorati.com/tag/hair+loss), hairloss (http://technorati.com/tag/hairloss), tattoo (http://technorati.com/tag/tattoo), scalp tattoo (http://technorati.com/tag/scalp+tattoo)


More... (http://www.baldingblog.com/2010/04/19/scalp-tattooing-that-looks-like-hair/)

[Artistry Concepts]

In response and in support of Dr. Rassman’s post, it is strongly recommended to at least see high-resolution camera close-ups of any work done on the scalp by any providers of this service. You should be able to closely inspect the replicated “follicles” next to the natural follicles. You should be able to see natural scalp through the applied work, just as you see scalp when you part natural hair. Better yet, try to meet with actual recipients of any of these procedures.

Some methods are actually “scalp shading,” where no natural scalp is visible. Scalp shading is strictly a temporary procedure that needs to be repeated every few years and can cause scarring, and eventually causing the scalp to reject any pigment. Shading can also leave the scalp with an unnatural remaining tinge. Individual stubble follicle replication applied directly on the scalp without first shading is a more natural look.

Regarding the “greenish” tint, this is quite often the case. Substandard pigments (more specifically in cosmetic pigments that are routinely used), frequently turn into a greenish or bluish hue. This is because they are vegetable-based and are intended to fade within a couple of years. In doing so, the initial color fades into these off-color hues. Commercially-made pigments (both tattoo or cosmetic) contain blue additives to make black pigments blacker. Depending on the recipient’s skin tone, these blacks with blue additives will aggressively turn blue on men that have natural blue skin undertones. The provider needs to be very familiar with skin undertones in order to choose the proper pigment color, as not all color pigments can be used on any man. Most African-American men have blue skin undertones.

To address shine, when individual follicle micro points are applied to the scalp, the shine of the balding scalp is considerably lessened. Complete scalp shading may not always lessen the shine, hence special moisturizers.

Tattooing fine “lines” on one’s scalp is not recommended. If the man continues to lose his hair, he will have these lines on his scalp that will beharder to camouflage. The best bet is to go with the hair stubble look. “Lines” also should be avoided because this is just more “area” that may migrate later on in life when inferior pigments and the inexperienced provider may have come into play.

It is a fine line of application with any pigments into the scalp. The slightest additional pressure on the needle will result in “blow out,” commonly known as migration. This is when the needle is placed too deep into the scalp, sending the pigment into the fatty layer, again, being applied by the inexperienced.

The inexperienced, incorrect equipment, inferior supplies and the actual method of the application are the most common problems resulting with this type of treatment. Just tattooing “dots” on someone’s scalp is not the case, and the provider needs many years of tattooing/micropigmentation experience. However, tattooing the scalp is unlike any other place on the body. There are areas of extreme tightness where the skin is the thinnest and other areas with loose skin with a more fatty layer.

In summary, anyone considering these procedures must be aware of the following:

1. Permanent or temporary (semi-permanent);
2. Needle size for the most natural follicle replication possible;
3. Types and quality of pigments;
4. Scalp “shading” or individual follicle replication;
5. Experience of the specific person (not the provider) that will be applying the method; and
6. If any questions remain after speaking to any provider, this is not the treatment you desire.