What is capillary micropigmentation?
Hair micropigmentation is a technique based on the injection of pigments under the skin -usually in the scalp- in order to give a better appearance in those areas where the patient suffers from alopecia. However, it should be noted that hair micropigmentation was born as a reconstructive technique for those who needed it after an invasive treatment or surgery.
Other areas where hair micropigmentation is commonly used are the chest, eyebrows and lips. It is a treatment with non-permanent effects over time, since, depending on the quality of the skin, micropigmentation can last around two or three years.
It is an outpatient procedure that is performed in two to three sessions lasting between one and two hours and is not painless, as it is performed under local anesthesia. It is used in both men and women, although the tendency is more common in men.
Why is hair micropigmentation performed?
Hair micropigmentation was created as an alternative to hair transplantation. In this case, the technique is performed on people with irreversible hair loss and low hair density, a fact that makes it unfeasible to perform a hair transplant on these patients.
At the same time, the micropigmentation technique is presented as a cheaper alternative to hair transplantation or grafting.
What does hair micropigmentation consist of?
Hair micropigmentation consists of the injection of a pigment that is injected at a depth that varies from 0.25 to 1.75 millimeters deep and that gives the skin a tone similar to the color of the hair.
The pigment is inserted into the hairless area using a series of machines and techniques specially adapted to the scalp.
Ideal situation to perform hair micropigmentation
Preparation for hair micropigmentation
In principle, no special preparation is required before undergoing a hair micropigmentation procedure. In this case, the patient should be fully informed about how the technique works, its duration and its final result.
The patient must inform the specialist if he/she suffers from any type of contagious disease through the blood, since micropigmentation includes the use of needles that could generate a risk to the specialist’s health in the event that he/she comes into contact with the aforementioned blood.
Before the procedure, the patient should avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the previous days, as well as not consuming anticoagulant medications, such as aspirin, for example.
Care after the hair micropigmentation procedure
Once the micropigmentation process has been completed, it is common for the patient to suffer a slight inflammation of the scalp, since the scalp has been manipulated with needles. It is also possible that some pores may expel some of the ink introduced, although in no case will this affect the final result.
During the first few days, the scalp will generate a slight crust that will give a darker tone than desired, although once the color falls, it will gradually lighten.
Around three weeks after undergoing micropigmentation, the necessary collagen is generated so that the scalp finishes healing definitively, and around ten to twenty days after the process the desired shade is achieved.
Alternatives to hair micropigmentation
The main alternative to micropigmentation is hair grafting. In this case, there are two techniques of hair grafting or transplantation used in those patients who wish to recover the aesthetic appearance of the hair: the FUE technique and the FUSS technique.
- FUE: originally called Follicular Unit Extraction is considered the most advanced hair transplant technique at present. It consists of the individual extraction of follicles from the desired donor area and then implanted into the scalp, leaving no scars.
- FUSS technique: the hairs from the donor area are extracted with a thin layer of foot and then implanted in the bald area. Stitches are needed to close the area, although the scar is practically imperceptible.