WELCOME TO
OC SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION

A DIVISION OF MODENA HAIR INSTITUTE

Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a treatment where pigments are applied at the epidermal level of the scalp to replicate the natural appearance of real hair follicles.

SMP creates the look of a shaved scalp or newly emerging hairs coming through the scalp by strategically placing pigments in areas of hair loss.

Dr. Amir Yazdan is the founding hair surgeon at Modena Hair Institute and is intimately involved in all SMP procedures. Our practice is an advanced hair restoration surgical facility with specialized training and knowledge of SMP that can’t be duplicated in other non-physician based facilities.

SMP is an excellent outpatient office procedure to increase the appearance of hair density for patients with strip scars, low visual hair density, thinning of the hairlines and scalp. The procedure involves medical grade tattooing of the scalp to replicate tiny hairs. Micro-dots approximately the size of a ball point pen and the color of the patients’ scalp are meticulously placed in a pattern similar to previous hair density.Results vary from patient to patient, but it typically provides immediate aesthetic and psychological improvement.

Welcome

PRACTITIONERS

Amir Yazdan M.D.

Dr. Yazdan fuses the best of today’s medical approaches as well as cutting edge surgical techniques to get back your hair and confidence. He specializes in both the FUE and FUT/Strip Hair Restoration surgeries as well as being one of the few physicians who routinely performs FUE for African American and Ethnic patients in addition to Body Hair Transplantation to repair previous botched hair transplants. Dr. Yazdan has over 10 years of experience with SMP procedures. He is also a board certified physician and surgeon and a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery as well as the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons known for its commitment to hair transplant patient education and safety.

We follow high standards of medical and surgical care that is not found in tattoo clinics which otherwise have no medical training in hair loss disorders and aesthetics of hair restoration surgery.

The tattoo industry is not regulated by any government agency like the state medical licensing board. Thus many new “clinics” with medically and surgically untrained individuals have entered into SMP without the knowledge and expertise of understanding hair restoration and natural age appropriate balding patterns.

Artists

GALLERY

Gallery

SMP Frequently Asked Questions

How Does SMP Work?

The procedure uses needles inserting micro droplets of pigment through the skin and into the upper dermis. The needle(s) must perforate the epidermis to get to the upper dermis. The depth of needle insertion varies by the clinical senses and visual judgments of the practitioner. If the pigment is placed only in the epidermis, the procedure will fail because the pigment will be lost after the procedure is completed. If the pigment is placed deep in the dermis, the cosmetic outcome will not be appreciated as the pigment diffuses out of the area of insertion.

Is SMP The Same As A Tattoo?

Traditional tattoos are not the same as SMP. SMP does not deposit the ink pigments into the deeper portion of the dermis where such pigments are permanent. Pigments deposited in the upper dermis by the SMP technique are digested by the macrophages of the immune system as the body recognizes these as foreign substances as it attempts to “clean up” the skin. This is a reason why pigments may change over time.

What Happens to Pigment over time?

All tattoos and ink changes over time. Permanency of SMP ink does not occur for many reasons. Sometimes the ink pigments are removed by the immune system macrophages and moved into lymph nodes.

Are there Differences in Pigment Types?

Yes. Pigments vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Dr. Yazdan uses ink that is considered to be superior to other tattoo clinics performing SMP.

Who Is A Good Candidate For SMP?

SMP can be performed on any healthy scalp that requires the appearance of greater density. The procedure is best for patients with advance balding patterns who choose to shave their scalp or for patients with hair loss and thinning as SMP can add greater density to the existing part of scalp with decreased hair density. Patients who suffer from burns, scars or birthmarks are great candidates for SMP as well.

What Type Of Medical Conditions Will Respond To SMP?

Patients with autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata or alopecia totalis are excellent candidates for SMP. Patients who have suffered head and cranial traumas with resulting scars may be considered candidates. Patients with scars have a reduced response to SMP as scar tissue absorbs pigments differently than healthy normal skin.

Are Women Candidates For SMP?

Absolutely. Women who don’t want hair transplant surgery are great candidates for SMP, and respond well to adding pigmentation to existing thinning hair densities.

What are Common Mistakes in Patients who Received A Botched SMP Procedures?

We often observe poor cosmetic results with unrealistic low hairlines or too deep insertion of the pigment into the dermis. These low hairlines are often observed in patients in their 20s and early 30s who desire the immediate satisfaction of a younger appearing hairline. As a skilled hair loss specialist, Dr. Yazdan designs hairlines that are age appropriate, look natural, and are aesthetically consistent with the person’s facial features.

How Much Does it Cost?

This depends on the amount of thinning or balding pattern as well as the area of the scalp to be covered and if any scars are present. The price range for SMP is $1,000 to $5,000 (US dollars).

Will I need Maintenance Sessions?

Yes. It is difficult to predict the total number of sessions necessary to create the visual hair density our patient’s want. Typically, the number of treatment sessions varies from one 1 to 4 treatments in the first year.