Scalp micropigmentation and hair transplant are two procedures often used in the cosmetic industry to combat baldness, but you may be wondering - how are they different and which could be the right solution for you? This article will take you through each procedure and compare them in terms of cost, recovery and results to give you the relevant information about these two booming industries.
What is Scalp Micropigmentation?
In its most basic terms, scalp micropigmentation is where a practitioner will use needles to inject pigment matching your natural hair onto the skin of your scalp. This is very effective in making an existing head of hair look thicker, and yields results so natural looking that is has become increasingly popular over the years. This is the go-to solution for male and female pattern baldness, or for those who are self-conscious of a receding hairline. It is great for those who want a non-invasive solution for thin hair or hair loss, and has also been used to treat those suffering from alopecia or cancer with fantastic results to improve their emotional wellbeing.
What is a Hair Transplant?
Hair transplants work by adding more hair onto an area which has sparse or thin hair, by removing thicker hair from your person and attaching it to the affected area. Usually, hair from the thickest part of the scalp or a different area of the body is removed and grafted onto the problem area. Mini and micro grafts are used so the transplant is less noticeable, and the procedure, while complex and detailed, has been worked into a fine art.
There are two main types: one is where the surgeon will cut out and remove a section of the scalp and sew up the cut portion. Then they will separate the piece they have taken out into smaller strips (perhaps only the size of one hair follicle). They will then make small holes in the thinning or balding areas and place the hair from the strips into these holes - this is called grafting. The holes are then bandaged. The other method is where the hairs at the back of your head are shaved off and the individual follicles are taken out of the scalp. Then, like the first method, holes are made in the affected area and these hairs are placed in the holes and bandaged.
Which is More Expensive?
A hair transplant tends to be quite a bit more expensive than scalp micropigmentation. This is because a hair transplant involves forcing hair to grow in a balding area, and scalp micropigmentation serves a more aesthetic function. The costs of both depend on the severity of balding or thinning, but while scalp micropigmentation can range from four hundred to approximately a thousand dollars, hair transplants can vary from four to fifteen thousand dollars. Undoubtedly, hair transplants are therefore more expensive, but the range in price can also be affected by the experience of the surgeon, and the technique they employ for the transplant itself. Health insurance tends to not extend for cosmetic procedures, so keep this in mind when making your decision.
What is the Recovery Like for Each?
For scalp micropigmentation, recovery is a fairly easy journey. Depending on how large of an area you want covered, the process is broken up into a number of sessions. You will heal during each session, meaning the overall time for the process to complete may be longer than a transplant, but the recovery is easy to handle. Just make sure to avoid sun exposure on your scalp for a while, and avoid very hot showers or swimming until healed.
For hair transplants, the sessions may similarly be broken up, and may take several hours or several days depending on which technique the surgeon uses. You will not be kept in for observation by the staff and are free to go home the same day. The pain of the surgery may last for a while, but you will be able to head back to work in a matter of days.
What is the Pain Like?
Scalp micropigmentation is often compared to the process of getting a tattoo, although the needles involved in scalp micropigmentation penetrate less deeply into the skin of the scalp compared to the depth of tattoo needles. Before the procedure, the practitioner will apply a numbing ointment to the area, which will reduce the pain of the process. However, you may still experience some discomfort, and this will vary based on the pain tolerance of an individual. Luckily, hair transplants use local anesthesia, so you won't feel any pain whatsoever - though some may find the numbing agent discomforting as it lasts the entire day.
This comparison aims to inform you about both processes in a balanced and unbiased manner. We hope it helps satisfy your curiosity or develop your understanding, whether or not you are interested in pursuing either procedure.