Hundreds of American men suffer from male-pattern baldness and thinning hair. If you’re one of those, and you’re currently here in Nevada, you’re in luck. You have solutions to choose from.
Two of the most popular choices for managing baldness are scalp micropigmentation (SMP) and hair transplant. To find out which one suits you, you have to compare them.
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
SMP in Nevada works like tattooing but with some significant differences. In this procedure, the cosmetic technician uses a special type of dye to create the illusion of hair in areas where baldness is occurring. The final product usually appears like a clean-shaven or well-barbered hair.
But how does this differ from a regular tattoo? First, it doesn’t use the traditional tattoo inks but organic pigments. These are not only easier to absorb but are also hypoallergenic and gentle to the skin.
The material used for “inking” is also different. For regular tattoos, the artist uses a large round needle to ensure the ink penetrates deeper into the skin. SMP utilizes rugged but thin ones since the technician injects the pigment only on the uppermost layer of the skin called the epidermis.
Compared to regular tattooing, SMP hardly has any downtime. You can complete the procedure between an hour to three hours, depending on the areas they have to work on. But you may have to go through multiple sessions. Each of these sessions can have about a week’s gap to allow the pigment to settle. It will also help the technician evaluate the progress.
Hair Transplant
There are two general types of hair transplant: follicular unit extraction (FUE) and follicular unit strip surgery (FUSS). They differ in the manner of collecting the hair for transplant.
In FUE, the hair transplant surgeon needs to remove every hair follicle from a selected area of the scalp. With FUSS, they strip a part of the scalp. In both instances, the surrounding hair will cover the affected area. Both processes use grafting, in which case they separate the harvested hairs into units and then transplant them to the balding area by creating holes with scalpels. They will then attach the tiny grafts meticulously.
It can be an outpatient surgery, but usually, you may have to stay overnight in the clinic for observation. Since the procedure is delicate, you will also receive anesthesia. There will be tenderness, itchiness, and sometimes pain, so the doctor will also provide you with medications.
It might take a few days for the scalp to properly heal. During the first weeks, the transplanted hair will fall out, but it should stimulate the follicles to grow new hair. You might notice some significant hair growth within 6 months after the transplant.
Which One Wins?
Your choice between SMP and hair transplant depends on many factors. First, is the cost. How much can you afford? Of the two, SMP will be significantly cheaper. Results are also quick.
SMP is almost always painless, if not tolerable. You don’t have to undergo any downtime, and the technicians can choose pigments that suit you well. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, however, hair transplant is the way to go.
