Slather on SPF to ward off sunspots, deliberately apply night creams to prevent fine lines, and load up on lash serum to compensate for sparse lashes, all in the name of slowing down time and taking into account all the changes in your skin and body it happens as you get older. When it comes to hair, thinning is one of the most common problems people experience as they age. Sure, you can use volumizing styling products and root caps at home to mask thinning and hair loss, but for many people, that just doesn’t cut it. Cue micropigmentation, microblading’s cousin that uses cosmetic-grade permanent ink to provide a more permanent solution to thinning along the hairline and any bald spots you may experience. This treatment, like microblading, also involves fine needles, but it penetrates deeper than microblading and can last longer. Not to mention, there’s less pain, which is comforting to know if you’re shy.
There is a lot to discover when it comes to tattooing along the hairline, including the process, the duration, and of course the results. If you’re curious to know more, read on to learn all about female pattern hair loss and whether this treatment is right for you.
What causes female hair loss?
There are several factors that can contribute to hair loss. On the one hand, hormones. According to Dr. Ife Rodney of Eternal Dermatology, your estrogen and testosterone levels change as you age, leaving you with an imbalance of more androgens (testosterone), to which your hair follicles respond by shrinking. “This results in female pattern baldness, thinning or hair loss,” he says. Another reason why you may be experiencing thinning or hair loss is due to a genetic predisposition. “Your genes affect your scalp’s sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that shortens the growth phase of your hair,” says cosmetic injector and registered nurse Revay Plunkett. “Your hair follicles also become smaller in response to DHT, and you may subsequently produce fewer and finer hairs.”
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Tight hairstyles can also be to blame for these bald spots or thinning; constant stress on the follicle over a period of time can lead to hair loss known as traction alopecia. This is common among those with curly hair types who often style their hair with braids or weaves, says Dr. Rodney, as well as among women whose profession requires them to wear their hair in tight buns, which causes stress on the hair follicles. “Over time, hair follicles scar and cause chronic inflammation of the scalp, making hair loss permanent,” warns Dr. Rodney.
Beyond these factors, things like childbirth, stress, diet, thyroid imbalances, rapid weight loss, and environmental factors can have an effect on hair loss and density.
Micropigmentation for thinning hair
Scalp micropigmentation is a cosmetic treatment that involves adding “tiny ink impressions that replicate the hair follicle to create the appearance of hair density,” says Steven Greitzer, co-founder of cosmetic tattoo studio, Sculpted Studios. “This is very beneficial for people who are experiencing hair loss and want a fuller, more voluminous look at the hairline.” Greitzer says micropigmentation is the preferred treatment for the scalp and hairline over microblading (which is commonly done on the eyebrows). This is because the skin on the scalp is thinner than other areas, is more prone to producing oil and is affected by sun exposure, factors that can cause the pigment to oxidize and change color with the time when placed on the hairline.
As for the micropigmentation process, it’s pretty simple. “After the skin is assessed, the treatment area is mapped out and a custom pigment blend is made based on the client’s skin tone and hair color,” explains Greitzer. “The provider will then apply small dots to all areas of hair loss while blending it into the existing hair.” The entire process usually takes one to two hours, and you’ll need to let the area heal for one to three weeks before repeating the process two more times, “each time going over the stitches to create a more realistic look,” Greitzer says. . TZR. Taking a layered approach and spacing sessions a few weeks apart creates a more permanent result, with touch-ups sometimes needed every five to seven years, if at all.
Performing this treatment specifically on the hairline is slightly nuanced. “At the hairline, the provider should try to get a color as close to the client’s hairline as possible; if it looks too heavy or defined at the hairline, it will look unnatural,” says Dr. Rodney. “Also, micropigmentation should gradually increase in thickness as it moves away from the hairline for best results.” Suffice to say, it’s important to do your due diligence when choosing your provider. You should look for someone who is trained, licensed, and has photos to show of their work. Many providers will offer a consultation visit, at which they should be able to answer each and every question in detail, says Greitzer, who adds that their work should be so natural that it should be undetectable to the human eye.
Micropigmentation vs. Microblading
Although both micropigmentation and microblading are semi-permanent treatments, micropigmentation can have more benefits. Beyond giving the appearance of a fuller-looking hairline, there’s no pain associated with micropigmentation (some clients even fall asleep during the treatment, Greitzer says), plus a more natural looking because of the “faded” look it gives, especially since it blends in with the rest of your hair (compared to the “hair-like” strokes of microblading). The results are also more permanent, as micropigmentation delivers pigment deeper into the skin compared to microblading, the longevity of which depends on the depth of the cuts and may require touch-ups within a year.
The tools used are also different: while micropigmentation involves a refined tattoo machine that uses a tiny needle to make very small, precise punctures in the skin, microblading uses a “hand blade-shaped tool with a row of tiny, barely visible needles.” to create hair-like strokes while depositing the pigment on the skin,” notes Plunkett.
Although micropigmentation takes about two weeks to heal and microblading takes about a month, both treatments follow similar aftercare protocols. For the first few days, you’ll want to avoid sweating, exposing the area to sunlight, touching or picking and getting it wet. After that, things like sunbathing, lasers, chemical peels and microdermabrasion should be avoided. Many micropigmentation specialists will also advise against using certain hair products (for example: those with fragrance) once you’ve been given the green light to shower. You should always follow your provider’s specific instructions when it comes to the healing process.
In any case, if the skin is oozing yellow fluid or crusting, Dr. Rodney says that’s a clear sign of an infection. “Another possible sign of infection is itching and/or redness with no signs of improvement,” she says. “You can avoid infection by not touching your scalp, especially immediately after the procedure.” Also, if you’re prone to keloids or scarring, discuss your options with a dermatologist before proceeding with micropigmentation (or microblading, for that matter).
However, thinning hair doesn’t have to be a problem, not with treatments like micropigmentation available. Congratulations on a bright future of great hair days.
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