Finding solutions to a scalp problem is stressful. The thought of losing hair scares many men, and some find it uncomfortable going about without hair. When getting to the age of 50, most men find themselves in this scenario, wondering where all their hair went. However, it’s good to know many feel the same way, as even women suffer from baldness. There are many reasons for hair loss, either as a result of the immune system or alopecia. Many have lost confidence as a result, while some feel incomplete. Though there have been many solutions to hair loss, such as the surgical hair transplant, hair scientists found another option is tricopigmentation and scalp micropigmentation (SMP) as solutions, either permanent or temporary.
What Is Tricopigmentation?
Tricopigmentation is a hair procedure cut out from scalp micropigmentation or SMP with transplant as a temporary solution or option to loss of hair. The pigment procedure is meant to create an illusion of a full density of thinning long hair.
Scalp tricopigmentation treatment is a process of restoring hairline and a solution to hair loss. It is done to disguise hair loss with a series of tiny dots gently applied with a tattoo pen regardless of the skin type or baldness. It effortlessly conceals hair conditions like Alopecia Universalis. The procedure allows the simulation of the density effect. It is the option when a transplant isn’t wanted.
Tricopigmentation Procedure
This procedure involves when tiny dots are microscopically tattooed on the head to imitate the regular hair. This procedure saves a lot of people from the embarrassment and effect of scalp. Tricopigmentation is very similar to micropigmentation, which is its parent procedure, but the two have slight differences as they are considered different options. Micropigmentation is a one-time procedure with a permanent option that needs little touch-ups after a few years. Meanwhile, tricopigmentation offers a temporary option. This means it can only last for a few months before it starts fading. And then the pigment used is different from the other.
With its ability to change looks and give a preferable appearance, it is also as risky as a regular cosmetic surgery. You need to be careful with it. First, do your research on the procedure you are opting for and then find the expert. You will find both skilled and unskilled technicians, but you have to be careful as your technician’s skill and education level determine how successful the procedure will be. The application of pigment and touch-ups won’t be as good as it should without the right technician, so you have to find the right beauty medical to find such.
The term tricopigmentation was only generally accepted when Milena Lardi, after he created a shorter procedure, then named it tricopigmentazione at his beauty medical clinic. This was after some beauty medical gave their procedures a separate name. This led to confusion as no one was sure if they were all the same procedures or not.
Ways Through Which Tricopigmentation Is Applicable
Alopecia Condition
With a condition as alopecia, tricopigmentation can be used to hide symptoms. It becomes unbearable for those suffering from the condition due to its unpredictable nature.
Restructuring of the Hairline
Tricopigmentation helps to rearrange the hairline as it should be. Since balding makes the hairline scattered, the procedure aims to rebuild the new hairline as it is preferred. It helps to find the hair pattern and also reduces hair loss.
Scar Camouflage
Tricopigmentation is also applicable to cover scars of hair transplant surgery. Depending on how good the technician is, there are no scars that can’t be covered by this procedure.
How Does Tricopigmentation Work?
Tricopigmentation, as a temporary option for scalp micropigmentation, involves the application of tiny pigment deposits on the upper dermis. There is tricopigmentation equipment that is meant to be used directly on the scalp of your skin. Every time, the same amount of pigment is released by the needle at the same time. The pigment is measured as less than 15 microns, making it very small to be absorbed by the body then later released as waste.
Scalp Micropigmentation vs Tricopigmentation
Like scalp micropigmentation vs. microblading, there is a need for a comparison between SMP and tricopigmentation. SMP is a parent procedure for tricopigmentation, and this is because the concept of tricopigmentation was derived from that of SMP. The two procedures particularly seem alike and are derived from each other. The two have slight differences, which makes them unique, and their demand is based on what is needed by the individual.
Some differences between tricopigmentation & SMP;
Duration
Now the main thing that differentiates micropigmentation from tricopigmentation is in the duration of the pigments. For temporary scalp pigmentation, tricopigmentation is understood to be the best option as it a pigment lasts for only 6 – 12 months before it starts fading, but a scalp micropigmentation is permanent just that you will have to retouch once every 5 – 6 years. The tricopigmentation is a shorter version, which is mostly used to test run the new look. Opting for tricopigmentation is often due to how a person will like to see what it will look like on them. Tricopigmentation fades by itself naturally, and if an individual wants to continue with it, he goes back to the technician for another treatment.
Removability
While micropigmentation can be easily removed or fixed with a laser when the technician does a lousy job, removing a poorly done tricopigmentation might seem impossible, so you have to wait until it fades away. Due to its ability to naturally fade after a few months, the tricopigmentation gives little or no reason to remove it fix even if the technician did a lousy job. Only SMP can be fixed with a laser, and the pigment will be removed. A lousy job of tricopigmentation stays on you till it fades naturally. It’s why getting a skilled technician is very important. You don’t want to carry a lousy job on your head for long.
Cost
When it comes to cost in the tricopigmentation vs. SMP, it can be very tricky because both do have their pro and con regarding the cost. Having your pigment for the first time, you might want to consider tricopigmentation, and this is because it is very cheap at the start. Still, in terms of maintenance, scalp micropigmentation is cheaper to maintain than tricopigmentation. This is so because initially, the micropigmentation is costly. Still, because maintenance is done just once every 5 – 6 years, it is cheaper to maintain than a tricopigmentation that you have to renew every 12-18 months continuously. Tricopigmentation cost is way cheaper initially, but the touch-ups will still take much from you instead of the one-time payment of scalp micropigmentation.
Why Scalp Micropigmentation Is Better Than Tricopigmentation
There are a few reasons why scalp micropigmentation treatment is better and more acceptable to people than tricopigmentation. Though the two serve the same purposes are very similar, one is still a better option than the other. Let’s talk about them.
Longevity
For the fact that you won’t have to go under the needle to get a touch up every year is an advantage. The scalp micropigmentation is very cheap to maintain, and it lasts long, unlike tricopigmentation, which you have to go for retouching at least once in a year. One thing discouraging about tricopigmentation is that due to its short duration, you might end up having a helmet look by the time you go for a touch-up, that is when there’s a new top-up of pigmentation on the old ones, and everything looks rough and unnatural. Temporary SMP is in the form of tricopigmentation.
Number of Treatments
SMP is an option for fewer treatment sessions as not everybody enjoys going under the needle. Once you complete the initial treatment, another visit won’t be necessary until 5 years later, and that will only be a touch-up. Your hair follicle is still very much intact.
Removal
Another advantage of SMP is that it can be easily removed. If you dont think that the technician’s job is good enough, there are laser and non-laser tattoo removal methods. Even after going through pigmentation, you can decide to remove if you think it doesn’t fit you or otherwise. For tricopigmentation, you have to wait for the ink to fade naturally. Whatever it is the technician does is what you get to carry. Thankfully, it fades in just one year.
Conclusion
Hair loss treatments have taken lots of turns, and we now have many solutions available. SMP and Tricopigmentation are one of such. If you don’t feel like doing a hair transplant or getting a hair piece, then these two are your options. You can take steps to get these semi-permanent treatments. Many men look towards this direction for their hair loss, and it is fast becoming widely acceptable.
