NW5 - SMP Restoration

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

Although SMP is not restricted by donor hair limitations, like a hair transplant, the hair line design is still the most important aspect that we consider; height above the bridge of the nose, the temple point angles, and ensuring the shaved look mimics nature.

Like a hair transplant SMP/MSP is different from one person to the next, colour match is vital and can vary even on similar skin types, so the first session we feel it €™s important to start with a conservative approach and build over the next one or two sessions.

Although full coverage can be achieved in a single session, follow up sessions enhance the result by fine tuning areas such as pigmentation changes once the skin has relaxed, variants in areas of the scalp that accept the pigment differently and maybe refining the hair line with subtle touches to create a lighter front line.

Here we have the rebuilding from a NW5 stage, before and 12 months on.

 

[pkipling]

Great work, first of all.

I have a technical question regarding maintaining the SMP look. I notice that in the before pictures, the guy isn't completely shaven down and has a little stubble. In the after pictures, he's completely clean shaven.

Would the results look just as convincing if he were to keep his hair the same length in the "after" photos as he did in the before? Or is the contrast between the stubble and the SMP too drastic?

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

pkipling wrote:

Great work, first of all.

I have a technical question regarding maintaining the SMP look. I notice that in the before pictures, the guy isn't completely shaven down and has a little stubble. In the after pictures, he's completely clean shaven.

Would the results look just as convincing if he were to keep his hair the same length in the "after" photos as he did in the before? Or is the contrast between the stubble and the SMP too drastic?

Thanks Brenton,

In short, the contrast between SMP and stubble, for him would start to detract from the result.

It can depend on the individual, skin complexion, tone of the SMP but in general the result will look at its best when there is no contrast between hair and tone.

It ´s similar to when men get to a stage of hair loss they think about shaving, most do this to reduce the contrast between the "bulk" of hair against bald skin; reducing the contrast gives a more balanced look and reduces slightly the appearance of hair loss, different hair colour being more effective than others.

 

[Bigmac]

Looks good, he must be happy.

 

[bullitnut]

Great result....I read your explanation regarding shaving down and contrasts etc and although it's not directly related to this guy what still confuses me is we regularly see temp smp combined with FUE and it looks great a little longer, but for some reason whenever we see examples of perm smp it's always shaven right down.....why then can some folk get away with a little more length (eg buzzed 1) with temp but not perm smp?
Hope that made sense.

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

bullitnut wrote:

Great result....I read your explanation regarding shaving down and contrasts etc and although it's not directly related to this guy what still confuses me is we regularly see temp smp combined with FUE and it looks great a little longer, but for some reason whenever we see examples of perm smp it's always shaven right down.....why then can some folk get away with a little more length (eg buzzed 1) with temp but not perm smp?
Hope that made sense.

Hi bullitnut,

It ´s not so much a difference between permanent and temporary toning, but the amount of hair, density and where the hair is over the scalp.

If someone, similar to this case is basically a NW5 with little to no hair over the recipient the entire area is treated with equal density of shadowing to create the illusion of an even coverage from hair line to crown. Any remaining hair, usually miniaturised anyway is negligible to any result or making any great cosmetic enhancement to the look of density or coverage.

When creating an SMP/FUE treatment, or someone with diffused thinning a totally different approach is taken. Some men have no problem with SMP not being hair, but do want to have the feeling, or sensation of hair stubble over their head. Doing this can allow some men with advanced hair loss to achieve the look of total coverage that could not be achieved with FUE alone, so being able to keep their hair short and achieve the look of a good head of hair.

A real hair hair line can be designed, then reduce the density that would normally be placed as the grafts are placed back over the recipient area. Then SMP can be used to increase the look of density between the grafted hair, blending with the hair to give a balanced looking density. Because the hair is still relatively close together the hair can be kept marginally longer and still keep a natural looking result, with the SMP acting to give the illusion of a greater density of hair.

Of course if the hairs are spread too far apart this illusion is lost, and it ´s best to shave to ensure there is no variant in the blend between hair and SMP.

Sometimes blending SMP with hair can provide difficulties, it ´s very important to build up the pigmentation tone to match the hair colour otherwise it can start to look patchy. Either way it ´s an important point and must be discussed at the consultation to make sure there is no misunderstanding about what can realistically be achieved. Hope that helps.

 

[bullitnut]

Thank you for taking the time to explain, do you get a lot of people wanting an Fue/Smp combo at your clinic these days?
On a side note please don't think I'm critisising you SMP work as the examples you have shown do look good.

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

bullitnut wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to explain, do you get a lot of people wanting an Fue/Smp combo at your clinic these days?
On a side note please don't think I'm critisising you SMP work as the examples you have shown do look good.

Hi bullitnut,

Never took it as a criticism, just a decent question. We get a real mix of requests, yes a combo of SMP/FUE is growing as a good answer for more and more, and those with diffuse thinning to increase the look of density.

One of the most amazing is a lady who was suffering from a very severe case of alopecia areata, affecting the majority of her scalp. She decided on SMP because she got fed up covering her head and being asked questions what illness she had. She now has the look of a shaved head, she feel great about it, it really suits her and her self confidence has returned.

 

[James]

Great result ¬b`

 

[Vinci Hair Clinic]

Our MSP patient popped into our Malaga Clinic for a check up, approximately 18 months post his 1st session, here ´s his updated pictures.