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scalp micropigmentation

Arizona SMP Evolution

Arizona SMP has come a long way over the last decade. Artists have gained further experience and found better pigments, needles, and techniques. 

Unfortunately as great as SMP is as a hair loss solution, we are still utilizing a 2D solution for a 3D problem. There are limitations to how natural this solution can look and it must be performed in such a manner that helps recreate the most natural look. 

Is SMP natural up close in person? The answer certainly lies with the scalp artist’s experience, skills, and knowledge.

Does Arizona SMP Work

A skilled technician has the knowledge and skills to create thousands of impressions at the right depth, where they can inject the pigment. The more experienced the Arizona SMP practitioner, the tinier the impression. Some inexperienced artists may end up creating bigger impressions that look odd and result in a bad SMP.

Besides, each portion of the scalp is a different texture. That means it can yield a different result from one spot to another, depending on the part of the scalp being worked on. It takes a skilled artist and lots of patience to achieve the best results possible.

Complexion Correction

Your artist should also be utilizing a complexion correction or saline solution to target any impressions that are not satisfactory as a standard part of the treatment. 

The Arizona SMP Look

Natural hairlines are a must to obtain a natural result. It has become a trend in the SMP world to create the edged-up barber look. If we are creating a shaved head look with SMP, it might be a challenge to obtain an edge-up look. You must have some length to achieve this with real hair. So why would this be a great idea with a 2D impression? Although you can create a feathered edge-up, this is a risky hairline to choose for the most natural result.  

The idea is to give a shaved look of a full head of hair, not to try and create hair. Skilled Arizona SMP artists create the best SMP look that appears realistic. They are aware of the different skin types, latest in SMP equipment, and looks.

The best SMP look is that of a natural feathered hairline. Less is more, so do not get caught in the “more is better” trap. 

Scalp artists cannot ignore pigments. The SMP world tends to utilize diluted straight black carbon ink. Luckily some artists have adopted the idea that the carbon black needs to be warmed up to help avoid the “shoe polish SMP look” and to help avoid blue in lighter-skinned clients. 

Experience Matters

Do your research and go to an artist that promotes a natural feathered hairline, subtleness, and warm pigments. Remember, your choice of a scalp artist can be the difference between the best SMP procedure and a botched one. The choice is yours. Pick the most experienced Arizona SMP artist today.

Take a look at Dermimatch.com to see before and after results in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

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scalp micropigmentation

Finasteride Side Effects

What are Finasteride side effects and should you worry about them? Well, the idea of topical Finasteride has become more popular as big companies like “Hims” are utilizing and advertising this as an option to the traditional oral delivery method. 

Finasteride, taken orally, is one of the few FDA-approved treatments to combat hair loss.  Subsequently, topical Finasteride has not got FDA approval. So why would you want to take Finasteride topically if this is not FDA-approved? The answer is very simple; the side effects of taking Finasteride orally are too many for many individuals. 

How Does Finasteride Work

Finasteride works by blocking the hormone DHT in the body. As with any medication that disturbs hormones in the body, there will be side effects.  This includes:

  • Decreased sex drive
  • Ejaculation disorder
  • Skin rash
  • Trouble getting or keeping an erection
  • Increase in breast size and tenderness
  • Gynecomastia

Although it is typically well-tolerated, many can be affected by Finasteride side effects or maybe just want to avoid taking the medication due to the risk of adverse events. 

Alternatively, according to USA RX; “Topical finasteride primarily lowers the levels of DHT in the scalp and has a substantially lower impact on serum DHT in the body, which makes it less likely to cause side effects than oral finasteride.”

To learn more or buy topical Finasteride, Hims might be a good place to start. If you are wary of Finasteride side effects and look for a safer hair restoration technique, scalp micropigmentation might be the right option for you.

If medications are not for you, look into Scalp Micropigmentation in Phoenix, Arizona. DermiMatch is the right place to head to. Best scalp artists await you at the DermiMatch hair clinic. They have been working as the SMP practitioners for years and delivering excellent realistic results for clients without the risk of side effects.

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scalp micropigmentation

Scalp Micropigmentation Process

We all see Instagram posts of before and after or 1st,2nd, and 3rd session progression as it relates to Scalp Micropigmentation. Marketing and photos can be misleading and set false expectations of what is realistic throughout the process. Understanding the scalp micropigmentation process and expectations is important. Make sure each client knows about the process during the consultation. 

I’d like to touch on the scalp micropigmentation process and expectations for each session in general terms. SMP involves 3-5 sessions. For demonstration purposes, I will go through session progression as if we are talking about three sessions. 

What’s Are Scalp Micropigmentation processes

First session – This is the time to create the overall foundation. Depending on your artist, this may be low density or a time to create density and get a “wow” factor for a client.

Whatever your artist chooses, this is the time to get a base down and fill in the balding area. Directly after a 1st session, the results may look fantastic, but as the treatment heals and the redness dies down, you will likely see sections that have faded or disappeared altogether and others that have remained. This can leave a patchy appearance, but do not be alarmed; this is normal. 

Second session – This is the time that your artist learns about your skin, how you heal, the technique used, and any changes your artist must make in their technique. Each client’s skin is different and requires adjustments to achieve the best results.

During this session, your artist will fill in any sessions that fade and blend the work from the first session.

This is also the time to create the desired density the client hopes to achieve or even make changes to the hairline design. 

Third session – This may be your last session for the scalp micropigmentation process for a while or it may not. This session involves blending and creating final detailed touches. Some artists may use a different shade of pigment to create a dusted 3D look on this session. 

As mentioned, each client is different, so your artist should work with you based on the healing results.

A client’s scalp skin is different from inch to inch. So if a section’s impressions stay and others do not, you will need extra sessions. As a client, it can be a scary process when the results are not healing perfectly after every session. But this is nothing to worry about. This is common and each session is used to fill faded portions. 

Marketing might make one believe that each session looks perfect. This is not the case and requires many sessions to make the final results you see advertised. 

You can book a consultation with your local SMP provider or feel free to contact Dermimatch in Scottsdale, AZ at https://www.dermimatch.com and schedule a consultation. 

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scalp micropigmentation

Natural Propecia Alternative

If you have done any research on your hair loss, you may have heard or even been prescribed natural Propecia (Generic name – Finasteride), an FDA-approved Type II- Alpha Reductant.

It is known to prevent the body’s Testosterone from converting to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT has been linked to hair loss by blocking blood flow to the hair follicle.

Propecia Side effects

Unfortunately, with any medication, there are side effects, and Finasteride is no exception. Finasteride works by altering the body’s hormones, which can lead to sexual and other side effects (Finasteride (Oral Route) Side Effects – Mayo Clinic)

If you have already experienced side effects from Finasteride or are unwilling to take the medication, there are some alternatives you may want to try.  One of those alternatives is the natural supplement sold at your local drugstore, Saw Palmetto.

Although not an FDA-approved medication, it has been shown that an extract of Saw Palmetto berries may block 5-Alpha Reductase, which is an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.

Propecia Alternative

There is no concrete evidence that this is a viable substitute for Finasteride but it may be worth a try if you do not want to take finasteride or if you have experienced side effects from the medication.  But if you are wary of Propecia side effects, you may want to take the safer route. Get in touch with Phoenix SMP experts at DermiMatch Clinic.

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scalp micropigmentation

Scalp Micropigmentation For Hair Transplant Scars

Two of the most common methods to perform a hair transplant are known as FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). Both techniques will leave some level of scarring on the scalp. 

FUT for a majority of hair restoration clinics is considered to be the older of the two methods and some clinics consider FUT to be obsolete. FUT also known as “Strip Method” is performed when a Surgeon cuts a strip of skin from the back and sides of your head (Donor Area) and extracts the follicles individually from the strip of skin. After the strip of skin is taken from the donor area, the strip is then sutured closed leaving a surgical strip scar.  

FUT is not the favored method today as you will be left with a noticeable scar if you were to ever shave your head later in life. This method may be suggested by a surgeon if a maximum number of grafts are needed to obtain the best coverage in the balding area or if FUE grafts have been exhausted. 

SMP on Strip Scar – FUT

(Work performed by Dermimatch Hair Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona).

FUE is considered the “Gold Standard” and the preferred method of performing hair restoration surgery. Unlike FUT, this method does not extract a strip of skin from the donor area thus; it does not leave a strip scar. Some clinics have referred to this method as “Scar-less” which is misleading to say the least. FUT utilizes a small extraction punch to extract individual hair follicles from the back and sides of the head (Donor Area). These punches leave small dot scars across the donor area. If done in a strategic pattern over a broad portion of the donor area, these scars are much less notable and the hair can be kept shorter or oftentimes even buzzed. 

SMP on FUE

FUE Before
FUE After

(Work performed by Dermimatch Hair Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona).

SMP is an excellent solution to help conceal these scars. Unfortunately SMP is not a miracle solution and it does not address the scar texture differences of healthy tissue. This means if your scar is raised or indented you will need to seek other solutions in addition to SMP for the best results. Some of these solutions are scar revisions (Your transplant Doctor will usually do this at no cost), laser skin resurfacing Laser Skin Resurfacing Types, Conditions It Treats, Complications, and More (webmd.com)  , micro-needling Microneedling: Benefits, side effects, and risks (medicalnewstoday.com) , fillers and steroid injections (See your local Dermatologist).