It’s mea ‘Scalp’a

Is your confidence wearing thin because of that balding patch Considering how one’s hair can bring about a radical shift to the appearace, a large number of male celebs and young working adults are willing to go the extra mile to sport great hair! Of the slew of hair techniques that have risen to prominence, Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) is one that’s been in the news – and for good reasons.

Scalp Micro Pigmentation is a cosmetic medical technique, which reduces the contrast between the colour of the scalp and the colour of the hair, so that the scalp cannot be easily seen through the hair. It gives out an illusion of having higher density hair because the scalp is tattooed with tiny black dots that resemble hair. It is however a medical procedure done by our surgeons under local numbing injections. Celebrities like Ex-Manchester United star Quinton Fortune, Benedict Garrett, and actor Joey Lawrence have allegedly undergone the procedure.

This treatment for hair loss is delivered over two to three sessions, where the pigment is carefully placed into the scalp; creating the look of a hair follicle that is breaking through the scalp, hence making the hair look denser. The time for each session depends on the size of area that is to be treated, the density required and the length of the hair. However, one needs to be careful of the ink used by most SMP providers as poor inks can look atrocious and unreal. So prior and a detail consultation with your cosmetic surgeon is strongly suggested. The tattoo colour should be black and should look very natural. The results can last upto two years and beyond, if done keeping the quality in mind. The technique is ideal for men looking for denser hair or for those who don’t have enough donor area to undergo a hair transplantation. It also works well for women who want to mask small areas of balding like the partition area. The technique is now being used to achieve thicker eyebrows. Or typically, to camouflage any scars or gaps in moustache or beard.

The biggest plus about the treatment is the fact that it’s ideal for people on the go. So if you want to resume work immediately without any hassles, you can probably zero in on this one. Often times, this cost-effective procedure is seen as an ideal option in cases where hair transplant has failed.

The writer is a cosmetic dermatologist, hair transplant surgeon, LeJeune