My Vinci SMP!

[CarlCounts]

I first went to vinci for SMP in 2014. I made it VERY clear to them up front that I had 8 prior hair transplants with 2 big scars. They advised me that would NOT be a problem and my SMP will be a success. I told them again to PLEASE let me know if I should proceed with them or not due to my prior hair transplant history and again I was advised by salvar and chris it would NOT be an issue. Against my better judgement I did a total of 8 sessions with them over a year just to see each one quickly fade away. When I contacted them for a refund I received no response. I sat through 8 painful sessions with 3 different techs that didn't seem to know what they were doing and even had a attitude.
During one session the tech was becoming very angry as she had to keep stopping to answer the phone. She was even getting angry and throwing things. I should have walked out but I allowed her to proceed. The tech they had work on me after that had very little experience. She advised me she was just recently trained by the one with the bad temper. I would NOT recommend them! I had to go to another SMP practitioner to fix their bad work. Please o please do NOT go to vinci for SMP!

 

[RD7]

Not good to hear CarlCounts. Was that the biggest problem regarding the quality of it - fading so quickly? Any other issues with the appearance of it?

 

[CarlCounts]

RD7 wrote:

Not good to hear CarlCounts. Was that the biggest problem regarding the quality of it - fading so quickly? Any other issues with the appearance of it?

The appearance varied depending on the tech. The first time I went to them the results were good after the procedure but it faded away in about a month. After that each session I had with them faded away at a faster rate. The last session faded away in a week!

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

From June 2014, there are 5 documented full sessions over 16 months. There were sub-sessions to complete the coverage as it was not possible in one sitting. Sessions had to be split due to the pain Carl suffered, he cited that from the strips he still suffered nerve damage, so dividing what would normally be one session and using numbing creams to reduce any discomfort as much as possible was considered to be in his best interests.


As Carl ´s hair and skin complexion is fair we could only use a light contrast pigment otherwise it would not have blended well and look unnatural. We suggested he colour his hair to a darker shade, by colouring his hair this would increase the contrast and enhance his result, which he did for some time and it did help.


After a few occasions we tried to contact him in December 2014 Carl replied saying he did not wish to continue, then came back to us in February 2015 after a few further correspondents.


We have pictures taken in February 2015 which if Carl allows us will post clearly shows the improvement from his previous sessions, although at the time Carl expressed that it had totally faded.


There was one small, isolated incident with one staff member that Carl brought to our attention in February, this in no way reflected on his result, the individual was let go by us on other issues, but we feel this has no relevance, it was a two-line email from Carl to us at the time, over 18 months ago now.


Early September 2015 Carl requested to book another session; we obliged without cost and it was carried out in October 2015, there had been some fading but Carl ´s position was still much enhanced than before, even though his hair colour was more natural, we also have pictures if Carl allows us to publish them here. Carl did start a thread here in March about fading but made no other real comment about his experience besides asking for suggestions.

He then contacted us the end of last month requesting a refund, over 2 years after his first session, almost a year since his last session.


Treating Carl was always going to be technically demanding due to his previous scarring from multiple hair transplants, donor and recipient. There is no denial that at some points the pigment did fade to a point. The number of sessions for scar tissue can vary to achieve an end result, and possibly due to Carl ´s situation he was going to need either more sessions than average or top up sessions more often, but this does not reflect of the technician or quality of pigment, and taking in to consideration the time frame of 16 months with occasional longer intervals between 5 proper full sessions, those that need more sessions generally would be carried out in a much shorter time frame.


We have always looked to have his best interests in mind, and still do to this day. Hopefully Carl will allow us to publish the images we have showing before and after it would be more balanced.

 

[RD7]

Apart from scarring on the scalp, are there any other conditions that would quicken the fading process? Like even common conditions such as a very oily scalp?

 

[CarlCounts]

Vinci Hair Clinic wrote:

From June 2014, there are 5 documented full sessions over 16 months. There were sub-sessions to complete the coverage as it was not possible in one sitting. Sessions had to be split due to the pain Carl suffered, he cited that from the strips he still suffered nerve damage, so dividing what would normally be one session and using numbing creams to reduce any discomfort as much as possible was considered to be in his best interests.


As Carl ´s hair and skin complexion is fair we could only use a light contrast pigment otherwise it would not have blended well and look unnatural. We suggested he colour his hair to a darker shade, by colouring his hair this would increase the contrast and enhance his result, which he did for some time and it did help.


After a few occasions we tried to contact him in December 2014 Carl replied saying he did not wish to continue, then came back to us in February 2015 after a few further correspondents.


We have pictures taken in February 2015 which if Carl allows us will post clearly shows the improvement from his previous sessions, although at the time Carl expressed that it had totally faded.


There was one small, isolated incident with one staff member that Carl brought to our attention in February, this in no way reflected on his result, the individual was let go by us on other issues, but we feel this has no relevance, it was a two-line email from Carl to us at the time, over 18 months ago now.


Early September 2015 Carl requested to book another session; we obliged without cost and it was carried out in October 2015, there had been some fading but Carl ´s position was still much enhanced than before, even though his hair colour was more natural, we also have pictures if Carl allows us to publish them here. Carl did start a thread here in March about fading but made no other real comment about his experience besides asking for suggestions.

He then contacted us the end of last month requesting a refund, over 2 years after his first session, almost a year since his last session.


Treating Carl was always going to be technically demanding due to his previous scarring from multiple hair transplants, donor and recipient. There is no denial that at some points the pigment did fade to a point. The number of sessions for scar tissue can vary to achieve an end result, and possibly due to Carl ´s situation he was going to need either more sessions than average or top up sessions more often, but this does not reflect of the technician or quality of pigment, and taking in to consideration the time frame of 16 months with occasional longer intervals between 5 proper full sessions, those that need more sessions generally would be carried out in a much shorter time frame.


We have always looked to have his best interests in mind, and still do to this day. Hopefully Carl will allow us to publish the images we have showing before and after it would be more balanced.

Sure you have my permission to post YOUR before and after pics of me. I will be posting mine! I'm not sure why you continue to use my hair transplant history as an excuse for your poor work. I made it VERY clear to salvar and chris UP FRONT that I had many hair transplants with bad scarring and I was assured by both that is would NOT be an issue! NOW all the sudden it's an issue! Please o please people do NOT let this company and their imcompetent techs touch your head. They do NOT know what they are doing! Furthermore, when i posted my negative review on google they responded by having a lot of friends post these out of no where positive reviews to off set mine. There was NO reviews on google until IMMEDIATELY after I posted my negative review. This company is not to be trusted.

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

RD7 wrote:

Apart from scarring on the scalp, are there any other conditions that would quicken the fading process? Like even common conditions such as a very oily scalp?

Hi RD7,

You can take many conditions to the extreme that may cause fading, besides the obvious it will fade over time. Over exposure to intense sun in the early weeks, over washing in the early days, excessive oiliness or dryness may effect, but these have to be extreme, probably being medically treated as so extreme. For example, I personally have an oily scalp and shampoo everyday otherwise my hair is lank and looks unclean, but it would not effect me having scalp pigmentation in the slightest, even though I would say my scalp is overly oily than the average.

It ´s a reason why scalp pigmentation is not a one off treatment, and the number of sessions, the timing of the sessions, the pigment tone of the sessions is not set in stone, and varies from person to person. But an oily scalp making you a non candidate for pigmentation, no.

 

[CarlCounts]

RD7 wrote:

Apart from scarring on the scalp, are there any other conditions that would quicken the fading process? Like even common conditions such as a very oily scalp?

It appears that vinci has MANY excuses ready for lack of results like mine. They are trying to use my hair transplant history as an excuse, which they said up front would not be an issue. If you are thinking of doing SMP please do more research than I did and do NOT use Vinci!

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

We have said we can treat scarring, we have treated many scar impaired scalps before, some documented here, and you will find it documented by us on here that scar tissue is different to a virgin scalp.


In an email you sent in October 2014 you agreed, saying €œYea i agree my scars are VERY tricky! €œ I can screen shot the total email if you wish.


To not bring up your old transplants would not be telling the whole story, it is very relevant to your scalp pigmentation result. It ´s no different to a HT doctor doing a repair and having yield complications, it is as relevant to what can be achieved.


Using your scarring is not an excuse, it is a fact of life, impaired tissue accepts pigment, or hair grafts differently, this is not open to speculation and actually a very commonly asked question and concern. Your comment above confirms this.


There is no denial, as already stated that your pigment faded faster than expected, maybe if you have done nothing till now it has totally faded since your last visit 10 months ago. As said, that is not the fault of the pigment of service but the unfortunate situation you have found yourself in.


It is easy to now disparage the treatment and service after 2 years since your first session, even though we always kept in contact with you, trying to make appointments when time was lapsing; and making a large issue about a tech that only provoked a two-line email from you at the time, I also have an email from you praising a technician after a number of sessions.


We continued to treat you well after the normal 12 months €™ free session expired, out of care and desire to achieve the best result possible for you. We were happy to do so at the time as it is obvious to everyone that pigment for you would not last as long as others, and we were prepared to continue if required, at no cost.


I have no doubt you can post pictures where it has faded more, the longer between sessions has a greater impact on the longevity of the result. I will gather the pictures we have from before and taken in February 2015 when you stated it had totally faded, after the last session was performed in August the year before, 6 months later.

 

[CarlCounts]

Vinci Hair Clinic wrote:

We have said we can treat scarring, we have treated many scar impaired scalps before, some documented here, and you will find it documented by us on here that scar tissue is different to a virgin scalp.


In an email you sent in October 2014 you agreed, saying €œYea i agree my scars are VERY tricky! €œ I can screen shot the total email if you wish.


To not bring up your old transplants would not be telling the whole story, it is very relevant to your scalp pigmentation result. It ´s no different to a HT doctor doing a repair and having yield complications, it is as relevant to what can be achieved.


Using your scarring is not an excuse, it is a fact of life, impaired tissue accepts pigment, or hair grafts differently, this is not open to speculation and actually a very commonly asked question and concern. Your comment above confirms this.


There is no denial, as already stated that your pigment faded faster than expected, maybe if you have done nothing till now it has totally faded since your last visit 10 months ago. As said, that is not the fault of the pigment of service but the unfortunate situation you have found yourself in.


It is easy to now disparage the treatment and service after 2 years since your first session, even though we always kept in contact with you, trying to make appointments when time was lapsing; and making a large issue about a tech that only provoked a two-line email from you at the time, I also have an email from you praising a technician after a number of sessions.


We continued to treat you well after the normal 12 months €™ free session expired, out of care and desire to achieve the best result possible for you. We were happy to do so at the time as it is obvious to everyone that pigment for you would not last as long as others, and we were prepared to continue if required, at no cost.


I have no doubt you can post pictures where it has faded more, the longer between sessions has a greater impact on the longevity of the result. I will gather the pictures we have from before and taken in February 2015 when you stated it had totally faded, after the last session was performed in August the year before, 6 months later.

Yes I agreed my scars were tricky but my ENTIRE Smp faded, not just on the scar area. Each time I went in for another session it would fade away at a much faster rate. The tech that did my last session had VERY little experience and should not have been working alone, especially on my case that YOU agree was difficult. It appears we will agree to disagree but I will assure you I will NEVER recommend you to ANYONE! I thought you would at least stand behind your work and refund my money, considering I sat through 8 painful sessions in that back breaking chair with inexperienced and quick temper techs. If my scarring and past hair transplant history is not an excuse and a fact like you say, you should have told me up front NOT to proceed and sent me on my way. I should have been told that fading is likely and SMP is not a good idea for me. Instead you encouraged me to go forward after I made it VERY that I didn't want to waste my time. Regarding your quick temper tech I didn't report her to you right away because she was left alone in the office with nobody there to answer the phone while she was working on me. I felt that was more of an issue with your company than her although she should not have been getting so angry and unprofessional in front of a client.

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

Hi Carl,

As most discussion about your case was through your personal consultation, it cannot be said definitively that scar tissue was or not mentioned at the time, but it would be the only consultation it has not been mentioned, you were by no means the first repair to scarring we have consulted, so for it not to be mentioned.

It was 10 months since your last session and you said it faded in a week, why wait 9 months and 3 weeks to bring this up, only rhetorical as you felt the need to say now.

We are sorry you felt the need to start this thread, we have had good relations through your treatment, you even emailed regarding starting work with us and available any time.

We understand it was difficult for you, the pain and you found it hard committing to sessions sometimes because of that, lengthening the time between sessions. We also understand that the previous hair transplant work leaves not only visible scars, making improving on the situation so important with high expectations and hopes, it ´s normal in this situation; you even said on this forum once €œhope it works €.

We sincerely only had your best interests in mind during your treatment with us, and were happy to continue treatment to give you an enhanced look to before, we only wish you well for the future. Here are the before pictures, and then after pictures taken in Feb 2015, 6 months after Carl ´s last session, full session, his third at the time.

We hope you find happiness.

 

[CarlCounts]

Vinci Hair Clinic wrote:

Hi Carl,

As most discussion about your case was through your personal consultation, it cannot be said definitively that scar tissue was or not mentioned at the time, but it would be the only consultation it has not been mentioned, you were by no means the first repair to scarring we have consulted, so for it not to be mentioned.

It was 10 months since your last session and you said it faded in a week, why wait 9 months and 3 weeks to bring this up, only rhetorical as you felt the need to say now.

We are sorry you felt the need to start this thread, we have had good relations through your treatment, you even emailed regarding starting work with us and available any time.

We understand it was difficult for you, the pain and you found it hard committing to sessions sometimes because of that, lengthening the time between sessions. We also understand that the previous hair transplant work leaves not only visible scars, making improving on the situation so important with high expectations and hopes, it ´s normal in this situation; you even said on this forum once €œhope it works €.

We sincerely only had your best interests in mind during your treatment with us, and were happy to continue treatment to give you an enhanced look to before, we only wish you well for the future. Here are the before pictures, and then after pictures taken in Feb 2015, 6 months after Carl ´s last session, full session, his third at the time.

We hope you find happiness.

In the first picture you are clearly using darker lighting in the after picture to make it look better. In the second picture there is clearly no improvement other than me darkening my hair prior with hair coloring. It's obvious you refuse to take any responsibility or address the issues you have with incompetent, inexperienced techs. I agree with you I did bring this up much later after my last treatment with you. That was because after giving it much thought I decided I should tell my story and no longer stay quiet about my regrets regarding allowing your incompetence to do this to me. Your techs seriously need better training and experience before doing procedures they are clearly NOT qualified for. Furthermore, your office should be staffed with someone to answer the phone as techs need to be concentrating on the client and not having to stop every few minutes to answer the phone.

 

[CarlCounts]

I took this picture about a month ago. It's clear from this picture that the SMP from Vinci was a failure. Please o please people do NOT waste your time with a company that let's quick temper, incompetent, inexperienced people work on your head.

 

[SMP]

Hi Carl, sorry to hear about what you've been through, from the hair transplants to the Smp not turning out. Everything I've read suggests scar tissue is very complicated when having Smp, many varying factors why the ink may not take well. It sounds as though you're in this category.
The picture you posted is out of focus to provide an opinion. Have you recent pictures showing before and after from the recent Smp clinic? These will better illustrate your prior work.
Wishing you good fortune.

 

[RD7]

Vinci Hair Clinic wrote:

RD7 wrote:

Apart from scarring on the scalp, are there any other conditions that would quicken the fading process? Like even common conditions such as a very oily scalp?

Hi RD7,

You can take many conditions to the extreme that may cause fading, besides the obvious it will fade over time. Over exposure to intense sun in the early weeks, over washing in the early days, excessive oiliness or dryness may effect, but these have to be extreme, probably being medically treated as so extreme. For example, I personally have an oily scalp and shampoo everyday otherwise my hair is lank and looks unclean, but it would not effect me having scalp pigmentation in the slightest, even though I would say my scalp is overly oily than the average.

It ´s a reason why scalp pigmentation is not a one off treatment, and the number of sessions, the timing of the sessions, the pigment tone of the sessions is not set in stone, and varies from person to person. But an oily scalp making you a non candidate for pigmentation, no.

That's good to know. I've noticed my scalp is very oily but not that bad where it's being treated so that's reassured me. Thanks

 

[damien]

For the record, we have a 'recommend' list of about 15 clinics worldwide. These are clinics that consistently produce great results and offer backup service to match. These are the clinics we recommend to our readers, as and when they ask us for advice. Vinci Hair Clinic has been in the upper echelons of our list since the beginning, in fact, this is the first complaint I have heard concerning Vinci in a long time.

CarlCounts, if your concerns are real, then they are valid. However in my experience, kicking up a stink in a public forum is not the way to gain resolution to the issue. I sympathise with your situation, but given Vinci's track record, I doubt very much that the problem was caused by technician error, although of course no technician is infallible.

 

[RD7]

I feel sorry for you CarlCounts as any problems or dissatisfaction as a result of a hair treatment isn't going to be a good feeling to say the least.

This wouldn't put me off using Vinci however as it seems like they were willing to do whatever possible to help you and as Damien says on the whole they have a great reputation.

I really hope you get the right treatment from wherever it may be to give you the satisfaction every hair loss sufferer deserves. I know myself it's a depressing and horrible thing to go through never mind experiencing added complications like it sounds like you have.

 

[CarlCounts]

damien wrote:

For the record, we have a 'recommend' list of about 15 clinics worldwide. These are clinics that consistently produce great results and offer backup service to match. These are the clinics we recommend to our readers, as and when they ask us for advice. Vinci Hair Clinic has been in the upper echelons of our list since the beginning, in fact, this is the first complaint I have heard concerning Vinci in a long time.

CarlCounts, if your concerns are real, then they are valid. However in my experience, kicking up a stink in a public forum is not the way to gain resolution to the issue. I sympathise with your situation, but given Vinci's track record, I doubt very much that the problem was caused by technician error, although of course no technician is infallible.

I tried MANY times to reach out to vinci privately prior to starting this thread. My emails were ignored. Vinci did NOT respond until I started this thread. Furthermore, when I posted this under google reviews of vinci they had many friends immediately post positive reviews to off set mine. The least they can do is give me a refund which I ask for in a private email but that email was ignored. Maybe the techs they have in other areas are good but the ones they had working on me in Miami were incompetent, inexperienced and very quick temper!

 

[damien]

CarlCounts wrote:

damien wrote:

For the record, we have a 'recommend' list of about 15 clinics worldwide. These are clinics that consistently produce great results and offer backup service to match. These are the clinics we recommend to our readers, as and when they ask us for advice. Vinci Hair Clinic has been in the upper echelons of our list since the beginning, in fact, this is the first complaint I have heard concerning Vinci in a long time.

CarlCounts, if your concerns are real, then they are valid. However in my experience, kicking up a stink in a public forum is not the way to gain resolution to the issue. I sympathise with your situation, but given Vinci's track record, I doubt very much that the problem was caused by technician error, although of course no technician is infallible.

I tried MANY times to reach out to vinci privately prior to starting this thread. My emails were ignored. Vinci did NOT respond until I started this thread. Furthermore, when I posted this under google reviews of vinci they had many friends immediately post positive reviews to off set mine. The least they can do is give me a refund which I ask for in a private email but that email was ignored. Maybe the techs they have in other areas are good but the ones they had working on me in Miami were incompetent, inexperienced and very quick temper!

Hmm, I can't really comment in that case, and I'm sorry to hear of your experience. Keep the faith... Vinci has earned their reputation over a long period of time, and I'd be hopeful of a positive outcome.

 

[CarlCounts]

I sincerely wish I was wrong about Vinci. I wish my results with them were amazing. I certainly did NOT want to have to put out MORE money to fix what their techs messed up! Having to pay MORE money to fix their bad work as put me in a very difficult financial position.