- Hotline: 852+ 2891 9689
- Whatsapp: 852+ 9146 8426
- [email protected]
- 6/F 29 Austin Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Dr Bertram – Correcting Unnatural Scalp Micropigmentation
A failure is not just poor growth. It is any result that looks unnatural, causes scarring, or wastes donor hair, including:
Unnatural Hairline: Too straight, too low, or “pluggy” looking.
Poor Graft Survival: Less than 70% of transplanted hairs grow.
Visible Scarring: Obvious linear (FUT) or patchy, over-harvested (FUE) donor areas.
Poor Density: Sparse, patchy coverage that doesn’t meet aesthetic goals.
Donor Area Depletion: Over-harvested donor zone with visible thinning.
Shock Loss Without Regrowth: Permanent loss of existing native hair around grafts.
Misdiagnosis: Transplant performed for an unsuitable condition (e.g., active scarring alopecia).
Sara’s Comment:Can a failed hair transplant be fixed? Yes, in many cases, but successful repair depends on an accurate diagnosis of the failure and careful management of your remaining, finite donor supply. We specialize in correcting unnatural hairlines, poor density, visible scarring, and other outcomes of poor prior surgery.
The core issue is that SMP is largely unregulated. It is frequently performed by aestheticians or tattoo artists without medical training in scalp anatomy, leading to common errors:
Using standard tattoo ink (which oxidizes to blue/grey) instead of specialized SMP pigment.
Placing pigment too deep, causing blurring and migration.
Designing hairlines without understanding facial symmetry and natural hair growth patterns.
In most cases, yes—and it is often the preferred solution over laser removal. Transplanted hair provides natural texture and depth that masks the underlying pigment.
Low or Solid SMP Hairline: We transplant single-hair grafts in front of and through the pigmented line to create a soft, feathered transition.
Patchy or Faded SMP on a Bald Area: Adding real hair provides 3D density, drawing the eye away from the imperfect tattoo.
Good Donor Supply Exists: You have enough permanent donor hair to achieve meaningful coverage.
Very Dark or Dense SMP: May require a test session to ensure transplanted hair can adequately camouflage the strong pigment.
Discolored (Blue/Green) Pigment: Hair can mask it, but the contrast may be challenging. Partial laser fading might be recommended first.
Severely Depleted Donor Hair: Not enough grafts to create adequate coverage.
Active Scalp Inflammation or Keloid Scarring from the SMP procedure.
Unrealistic Expectations expecting the SMP to completely vanish underneath the hair.
Laser removal is often invasive, painful, can damage follicles, and may still leave residue. Our surgical approach is more effective:
Artistic Redesign: We ignore the failed SMP line and design a new, natural hairline based on your facial anatomy.
Strategic Graft Placement: We implant single-hair FUE grafts directly into and in front of the pigmented area. The growing hair shafts break up the solid line and cast natural shadows over the dots.
Pigment as a Background Advantage: Ironically, the faded SMP can provide a shading effect that makes less hair look denser, allowing us to sometimes use fewer grafts.
Donor Conservation: We audit your donor supply and create a conservative plan focused on the frontal frame, where correction makes the biggest impact.
Consultation: We assess the SMP quality, your skin, and donor hair. Digital imaging helps simulate potential results.
Procedure: FUE extraction of fine nape/beard hairs (often best for soft hairlines) and meticulous placement into the SMP-affected zone.
Growth Timeline: Grafts shed and then grow permanently, with full softening effects visible within 8-12 months.
Combination Therapy: In some cases, we may recommend a single session of laser fading on the most solid parts of the SMP before transplanting to optimize the final result.
Images & Information shown are for reference only
Information on this website is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized medical advice. It is not intended to promote our service or imply superiority over another.
Individual results in hair restoration vary significantly and no outcome can be guaranteed. The before-and-after images shown represent possible results — not promises. We recommend seeking independent medical advice to discuss your options … Read More
Pre-Consultation Review
If you want to get a personalized answer from our medical team, you can reach us using this form here. We will cantact you as soon as possible.
Our practice adheres to guidelines established by leading international organizations in Hair Restoration.
International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery is the leading global medical association that establishes international practice standards and patient safety protocols.
The American Board of Hair restoration Surgery represents the highest standard. To maintain rigorous certification requirements the physician must demonstrate surgical expertise.
Worls FUE InstituteI serves as the premier educational body focused exclusively on Follicular Unit Extraction methodology. The institute ensures consistent application of safe FUE.
