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Hair is an important feature, but some factors can make it deteriorate over time. Anything from genetics to stress can make us experience unwanted hair thinning, hair fall, or similar problems; luckily, there are many solutions to help combat this.
Where some people opt for hormone therapy or medication to “cure” their hair problems, others opt for cosmetic intervention, the most well-known version of which is scalp micropigmentation.
However, scalp micropigmentation, or SMP, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; some people would prefer a less permanent option that can fade away in under two years. The solution: tricopigmentation!
Tricopigmentation is a temporary “tattoo-like” experience where a trained professional creates the illusion of hair follicles on a person’s scalp using organic dyes and a specialized microneedle. Unlike its permanent counterpart, SMP, tricopigmentation can last anywhere between 6 to 24 months, with one year being the average duration.
Over time, the treatment begins to fade until it looks like there was nothing there in the first place. This is handy for people who are not sure about their decision and want something less permanent than traditional scalp micropigmentation.
Scalp micropigmentation is permanent; it can last you your whole life if maintained appropriately. However, this fact doesn’t sit right with everyone.
For example, a male in his younger years may decide he wants a perfectly shaped hairline to help him follow a designer hair trend like the ones popular amongst celebrities like Drake or DJ Khaled. But this trend may not be what he needs in his older years; regardless, the SMP will not fade away, and he will be stuck with the same hairline trend for at least the next 6 years, and even after that, it will start fading but will still be there.
People with this problem can opt for tricopigmentation to help them achieve a look that will last them a few years with regular touch-ups and will then fade away naturally on its own.
There are a number of reasons why people may want to undergo tricopigmentation;
Receding Hairline: People experiencing a receding hairline are prone to undergo tricopigmentation to help restore their natural aesthetics. Many people prefer tricopigmentation to SMP because it is not permanent; receding hairlines can be treated and overcome with time, making temporary tricopigmentation an ideal solution in the meantime.
Male Pattern Baldness: Many men experience male pattern baldness, which can develop over time; for those who don’t wish to take medication for it, tricopigmentation is an excellent option, albeit a temporary one. Most medication for baldness has many harmful side effects, unlike tricopigmentation, which is why people prefer these “temporary scalp tattoos” over medication.
Scar Camouflage: Tricopigmentation can help camouflage most head scars, especially in bald individuals.
Alopecia: Alopecia is a genetic condition that causes patches of baldness or thinning hair across the scalp; tricopigmentation can help reduce the physical appearance of this condition.
There are other cases where tricopigmentation can be a helpful procedure too. Many patients who receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy for a cancerous disease will experience thinning hair. Sometimes, hair loss may occur in these patients too.
When this is the case, the patient may not require a permanent solution. Following the treatment for cancer, the patient will find that their hair starts to grow again. At this point, the pigmentation created during a procedure like tricopigmentation will no longer be needed. Since tricopigmentation fades over time, it provides the ideal scenario for these temporary cases.
There are other conditions that may cause a patient to experience hair loss too. Additionally, certain medications have also been linked to hair loss and thinning hair. When these scenarios occur, the patient will need to wait for their hair to grow back after the cause is addressed. Tricopigmentation can provide a temporary way of improving the appearance of thick hair during these scenarios too.
There are three main types of tricopigmentation practices:
Density Effect: This type of tricopigmentation can make an area with thin hair appear dense and fuller. This can help boost a person’s self-esteem and make them feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Shaved Effect: This is perfect for those who want a fully shaved look similar to a buzz cut. People with alopecia prefer this method, as do those who cannot regrow their hair fully. This method helps attain full scalp reconstruction and also makes the scalp’s follicles appear fuller and dense. The shaved effect also helps people experiencing a receding hairline, and can improve the hairline’s shape.
Scar Reconstruction: Patients with postoperative FUE, FUT, or similar scars can use tricopigmentation as a way to conceal their scars and make them less obvious. Those who expect their hair to regrow soon prefer tricopigmentation over regular micropigmentation due to its lack of permanence.
Before a patient undergoes the procedure, a full examination of their situation is needed. The practitioner performs the examination. The practitioner will then discuss the solutions that are available with the patient. The most ideal option for the patient will be chosen.
The cost of this procedure varies depending on the following factors:
· Treatment density
· Area of treatment
· Full scalp or partial coverage
· Skin type
· Effect type
The general cost for a full-scalp session can range anywhere from $800 to $1200, but this can vary depending on the above-listed factors.
A quotation for the treatment can be provided to a person before the tricopigmentation procedure is initiated. The person will first need to schedule an initial appointment with the practitioner who performs the procedure. The practitioner will need to examine that patient themselves.
During the consultation, the practitioner takes all factors into account. This allows the practitioner to determine how much time and resources would be needed to provide the patient with adequate treatment.
The practitioner can then tell the person how many sessions are needed and how long each session will be. The practitioner can also provide the person with a more accurate overview of the total costs that will be involved with the tricopigmentation procedure.
The person can then decide if they wish to undergo the procedure, based on whether or not the cost fits into the budget they have available for the treatment.
While tricopigmentation and Scalp Micropigmentation cost the same initially due to the same amount of work required to get the best end result, the need for annual touch-ups can bump up the final cost if an individual chooses to continue with it for many years to come. Scalp micropigmentation will end up costing less in the long run; it requires touch-ups every 4 to 6years, and these are generally not as expensive as the initial cost.
For this reason, it is important to first consider a few things before deciding between the two. If a person wants a more permanent or long-term solution that would yield results for the next five years, then they might be better off investing in scalp micropigmentation from the start.
The initial investment will be the same as tricopigmentation, but there will be no cost to touch up the scalp annually as those touch ups will not be needed.
Tricopigmentation is better if the person wants a solution that will not last for a long period of time. If frequent touch-ups are needed, however, then the cost will increase, and the person may end up paying more than scalp micropigmentation.
Women and men alike can benefit from tricopigmentation. However, generally, it is men who prefer an all-over-scalp version of the treatment because they prefer to be fully bald more often than women do. For women, this method can help improve the hairline and make certain parts of the scalp look more full, particularly in the case of thinning hair.
There is no hard and fast rule between genders when it comes to tricopigmentation, and anyone is welcome to opt for whichever form of the treatment they personally require or prefer.
A single tricopigmentation session can last anywhere from one to three hours depending on the level of hair loss; however, the second session may take less time and last only two hours. A third session may take less or the same amount of time. It all depends on the pigmentation density, aesthetician’s speed, and the area that is being treated.
Each session is spaced apart with at least a 7-day gap; this helps the skin heal.
Touch-ups will often be needed if the patient wants to maintain the effects of tricopigmentation. Most patients need to undergo a touch-up procedure at a one-year interval following the initial treatment.
The touch-up procedure will not last as long as the initial tricopigmentation treatment the patient received. The practitioner will simply look at the fading of the pigmentation on the scalp and enhance the appearance of the dots. It will usually take less than two hours to complete the touch-up procedure.
No; in most cases, tricopigmentation does not cause pain. Anesthesia is not required unless the patient has particularly sensitive to pain owing to other medical reasons, like past surgeries or a health condition.
Some practitioners who perform the tricopigmentation process can apply a topical numbing agent prior to the procedure. The numbing agent is generally considered enough to help reduce pain sensations in the scalp during the treatment. However, many professionals in the industry have said that topical agents are ineffective and may impact the end results of the treatment. Many patients undergo the procedure without experiencing any pain at all.
For some people, especially those who have a lower pain threshold, some discomfort may be experienced. The discomfort should not be significant, however, the practitioner will generally aim to minimize the discomfort of the patient experience.
As tricopigmentation is not permanent, it will require annual touch-ups from a qualified technician.
A patient should also take note that for some people, fading happens faster. It is important to consider the schedule for touch-ups on an individual basis. The patient should take note when the appearance of the tricopigmentation dots start to fade. When this happens, the patient should consider making an appointment. Sometimes, it can happen sooner than the one-year mark. In other cases, the appearance of the dots made during the initial tricopigmentation procedure will remain visible for a longer period of time.
Touch-ups will not be required if the patient no longer wants to maintain the look that they achieved through the tricopigmentation procedure. If this is the case, the patient can simply wait for the dots that were tattooed during the procedure to fade.
There are no special preparation steps that will usually be advised to a person who wants to undergo a tricopigmentation procedure.
During the initial consultation, the procedure itself will not be performed. The patient should be able to tell the practitioner what issues they find with their scalp at the moment and why they are experiencing hair loss. Additionally, the person should also know what results they expect from tricopigmentation. This will make the consultation more pleasant and even faster.
When the treatment is initiated, the patient should make sure they know what to expect. The person should understand that there is a risk of some discomfort that could occur. By understanding this, the person may have a less unpleasant time when the tricopigmentation procedure is performed.
As you can see, there are many benefits to using tricopigmentation. It is perfect for people who want a temporary fix for their hair problems without having to commit to a long-term solution. Tricopigmentation provides a solution that lasts for an average period of one year. Touch-ups can be used to help maintain the appearance of the tricopigmentation procedure, which is usually advised on an annual basis.
