Scalp Micropigmentation vs. Hair Transplant – What Is The Difference?
Studies show that at least 20 percent of Australian men face hair loss problems in their early twenties and 40 percent face hair loss during their early forties.
Dealing with hair loss is frustrating, stressful and can lead to low self-esteem. While there are plenty of home remedies available online, they don't provide a permanent solution.
That's why a lot of people opt for hair transplants. But getting a hair transplant procedure is dangerous and involves a lot of complications. The better and more permanent solution is scalp micropigmentation.
But which one of these procedures is better? Which one should you opt for?
Let's take a look:
What Does Hair Transplant Involve?
There are two types of hair transplant procedures-FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) and FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction).
FUT involves doctors extracting hair from the back of the head and implanting it into the areas with bald patches. While the procedure is effective, it tends to leave behind a scar from the ear to around the head. The scar is usually visible and not very appealing to look at. During FUE, the doctor will take out hair follicles from the back of the head and implant them into areas where hair is thinning. This leaves behind small scars which are not as visible as FUT scars but they are nonetheless visible in some areas. It's also a time-consuming procedure that costs thousands of dollars.
What Does Scalp Micropigmentation Involve?
During scalp micropigmentation the practitioner will implant pigment into the scalp using a special handheld tool. They will blend the pigment with the hair follicles, creating a new hairline. SMP usually takes 2 to 3 sessions and the practitioner will apply topical anaesthesia so there is no pain.
Scalp micropigmentation has no side effects and the recovery time is a few days. The only drawback is that your scalp might be slightly bruised for three days. You will need to avoid your scalp getting wet for a week and you will be required to avoid working out so there's no excessive sweating.
The Cost of SMP and
Hair Transplants
The total cost of hair transplants depends on the type of procedure you're getting. In a typical session, the doctor will implant 4000 hair follicles. While this may look like a lot of hair, the average person has 100,000 hair follicles and a person with thick hair has 150,000 follicles. So, if you have minor hair loss problems, a hair transplant will help you maintain your hairline and prevent further hair loss. But if you've lost almost all of your hair, 4000 follicles will not cut it.
To add extra hair you will need to pay more. Hair transplants cost approximately $4000 for standard procedures and can cost even more, depending on the type of treatment the patient needs.
Scalp micropigmentation on the other hand is affordable. A standard procedure costs $1800 and the costs can add up if you need to camouflage hair transplant scars.
In conclusion, scalp micropigmentation is your best bet to take care of hair loss solutions permanently. You only need to go for a touch up once every 2 to 3 years.
Precision Scalp Micropigmentation offers personalised cosmetic tattooing solutions across Melbourne. The lead artist, Lisa Millington has over 20 years of experience in the industry and is equipped with the best tools and techniques to solve hair loss problems.
If you're looking for hair transplant treatments in Melbourne, you've come to the right place! Contact us to learn more or to speak to one of our representatives.