Micropigmentation tattoos have been hitting the headlines over the past few months because of the very visible way in which they appear to offer a convincing solution to
hair loss.
Performed on a
bald or shaved scalp, the idea is to create the illusion of having a strong, clearly-defined hairline, and
according to Vanity Fair, the Jamie Foxx look is usually what people are aiming for.
But looks can be deceiving and seeing the results of micropigmentation
scalp tattoos on a photograph are not the same as seeing the real thing. Before considering getting your head tattooed to create the impression of finely cropped hair, it makes sense to get a fully-informed idea of what to expect.
Too good to be true?

Some of the potential problems of scalp micropigmentation include the possibility of the ink changing colour or fading with time, as well as the discomfort of having thousands of tiny dots tattooed onto your head.
Now, according to a report at futurity.net, the possibility of a severely
itchy scalp can be added to the list.
According to the website, six per cent of adult New Yorkers who have had a tattoo (any tattoo not specifically scalp micropigmentation which is still far from common) said they suffered from severe itching, rashes or swelling on or around the tattoo that lasted at least four months and in some cases lasted for years.
Swapping problems
People who consider scalp micropigmentation as a solution to their
hair loss condition might therefore be swapping one set of worries for another. Which is better: being a little
thin on top… or permanently walking around scratching at your scalp?
The Futurity report explains how some of the itchiness caused by tattoos can be soothed by anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, but in severe cases surgery may be required. In these extreme cases surgery to physically remove the tattooed area has seen some success but is said to “cause considerable itching and emotional distress.” It is likely to be even more unpleasant when performed on a patient’s head.
Alternative choices
There’s little doubt that the photographs of people who have had successful scalp micropigmentation procedures look impressive, but as well as the above-mentioned possible side-effects, the fact remains that the close-cropped look is not for everyone. And tattooists have yet to come up with a way of convincingly tattooing longer hair!
For men with signs of
male pattern baldness who don’t like the idea of an uncomfortable procedure or indeed committing to a very short hair-style for the rest of their lives there are other options and
comprehensive hair loss treatment programmes are worth looking into.