Scalp Micropigmentation & Hair Transplantation

Scalp micropigmentation, commonly referred to as SMP, is a cosmetic technique designed to create the appearance of hair follicles on the scalp. Specialized pigment is placed into the scalp to simulate the look of closely cropped hair or greater visual density.

Unlike a hair transplant, scalp micropigmentation does not involve removing or transplanting hair follicles. It does not cause new hair to grow. Instead, the goal is to change the visual appearance of the scalp in areas affected by hair loss.

SMP may be considered by people with different patterns of hair loss, including individuals who prefer the appearance of a closely shaved hairstyle. It may also be used cosmetically to make areas of reduced density or certain scalp scars less noticeable.

The result is primarily visual. The underlying hair-loss pattern and the availability of natural donor hair are not changed by scalp micropigmentation.

Hair transplantation is a surgical hair restoration procedure that moves healthy hair follicles from a donor area of the scalp to areas affected by hair loss. The transplanted follicles can continue to grow hair in their new location.

Unlike scalp micropigmentation, which changes the visual appearance of the scalp, a hair transplant is designed to restore actual growing hair. The transplanted hair can be styled and treated like the patient's existing natural hair once it has fully grown.

The planning of a hair transplant depends on factors such as the patient's pattern of hair loss, donor hair availability, scalp characteristics, and the areas requiring restoration.

The goal is to make effective use of the patient's available donor hair while creating a natural-looking pattern of hair growth and appropriate coverage.

Scalp Micropigmentation

Scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic technique that places pigment into the scalp to create the appearance of closely shaved hair follicles or increased visual density.

• 1
  Creates a Visual Effect

  SMP changes the appearance of the scalp rather than growing new hair.

• 2
  Does Not Transplant Hair

  No hair follicles are removed from a donor area or transplanted to another location.

• 3
  Designed for Cosmetic Appearance

  The goal is to make areas of hair loss or reduced density appear less noticeable.

Hair Transplantation

Hair transplantation is a surgical procedure that moves hair follicles from a donor area to areas where additional hair growth is needed.

• 1
  Restores Actual Hair

  Transplanted follicles can produce growing hair in their new location.

• 2
  Uses the Patient's Donor Hair

  Treatment is planned around the patient's available donor supply and individual characteristics.

• 3
  Designed for Natural Hair Growth

  Once fully grown, transplanted hair can be styled and maintained like natural hair.

Visible Hair Loss

Patients experiencing thinning or significant hair loss may consider transplantation when they want to improve coverage with their own natural hair.

Available Donor Hair

A hair transplant relies on usable donor hair. The available donor supply is an important consideration when determining how much coverage may realistically be achieved.

Areas Requiring Restoration

Treatment can be planned around the specific areas affected by hair loss, including the hairline, crown, or other areas where additional hair coverage is needed.

Individual Planning Matters

There is no single hair-transplant approach that is appropriate for every patient. Dr. Bolton evaluates the patient's existing hair, donor characteristics, degree of hair loss, and restoration goals when developing a surgical plan.

The objective is to make effective use of the available donor hair while creating a natural-looking distribution of transplanted hair that fits the patient's individual characteristics.

People experiencing hair loss may use different approaches to change the appearance of thinning or balding areas. Cosmetic techniques can alter how the scalp looks, while hair transplantation takes a different approach by using the patient's own hair follicles to restore areas affected by hair loss.

For some patients, the goal is not simply to make the scalp appear less noticeable. They want to restore growing hair that can eventually be cut, styled, and maintained as part of their natural appearance.

Hair transplantation can be particularly relevant when there is sufficient usable donor hair and the patient's hair-loss pattern can be addressed surgically. Treatment planning must take into account the amount and quality of available donor hair as well as the areas requiring restoration.

The following patient cases illustrate different hair restoration situations and demonstrate how surgical hair transplantation can be used to address significant areas of hair loss.

From Full-Head Tattoo to Hair Restoration

Patient 344 had used a tattoo as a way to camouflage areas of hair loss. He later chose hair transplantation to restore natural hair coverage rather than relying solely on cosmetic camouflage.

His case demonstrates the difference between changing the appearance of the scalp and restoring actual growing hair through transplantation.

View Patient Case

Nothing Beats Restoring Your Natural Hair

Patient 363 chose hair transplantation to address his hair loss and restore natural hair in areas where coverage had been lost.

His documented before-and-after results provide an example of restoring natural hair rather than relying solely on cosmetic camouflage.

View Patient Case

African American Hair Restoration Case

This patient case provides an example of surgical hair restoration for an African American patient, showing how hair transplantation can be planned around individual hair characteristics, donor hair availability, and the areas requiring restoration.

Hair texture and growth pattern are also important considerations when developing an individualized hair restoration plan.

View Patient Case

Hair Growth

Hair transplantation moves living hair follicles into areas affected by hair loss, where they can produce growing hair. Scalp micropigmentation does not produce new hair growth; it creates the visual appearance of follicles on the scalp.

Long-Term Appearance

Once fully grown, transplanted hair can be cut, styled, and maintained like natural hair. SMP creates a cosmetic appearance on the scalp rather than restoring growing hair.

Donor Hair

Hair transplantation depends on the patient's available donor hair, while SMP does not require donor follicles because no hair is transplanted.

Restoring Natural Hair

A hair transplant is designed to move hair follicles from a suitable donor area to areas affected by hair loss. The transplanted follicles can continue to grow hair in their new location.

This means the objective is not simply to change the appearance of the scalp, but to restore hair that can become part of the patient's natural hairstyle.

Working With Available Donor Hair

Every patient has a different amount and distribution of donor hair. Hair-transplant planning therefore needs to consider the patient's existing donor supply and the areas where restoration is needed.

The goal is to use the available donor hair effectively while creating a natural-looking distribution of transplanted hair.

Individual Hair Restoration Planning

Hair loss is not the same for every patient. The pattern of loss, existing hair, donor characteristics, scalp condition, and desired areas of coverage can all affect the surgical plan.

For this reason, hair transplantation should be planned around the individual rather than applying exactly the same approach to every patient.

Dr. Brett Bolton's approach focuses on evaluating the patient's available donor hair and developing a restoration plan based on the individual's circumstances and hair-loss pattern.