I started losing hair at a very young age. Most of my family and friends jokingly teased me about it.
Unfortunately, it made me very self-conscious. I have taken Finasteride for many years, sprayed Minoxidil daily on my scalp and I had 2 hair-transplants.
Yep, having a full head of hair just wasn’t for me. I then looked into micro-dot hair pigmentation.
I did a small test patch at a provider at Cape Town, he basically tattooed my scalp black and it looked extremely unnatural. After a year, it also turned blue. Luckily, I stopped him 20 minutes into the procedure and he only covered a small part.
After all of this, I was extremely scared of trying this again. All I wanted was a very natural result, something no-one would even notice. I then asked a friend, who is a make-up artist, whether she knows of anyone. She recommended Permanent Makeup by Gwendoline. After a Skype consultation (as I don’t reside in Gauteng), I made a booking. This was a big decision for me.
At 5pm, the night before my procedure, I called Gwendoline and said I am anxious and nervous. Gwendoline calmed me down and explained to me that she will be so subtle that no-one would even notice. She explained that it took 3-4 treatments and that she will start very subtly and then we can improve as we progress.
I arrived and what an amazing experience!
Gwendoline was kind but firm, but above all, she was extremely professional. Her studio looks like a medical practice. She explained the whole procedure to me, we decided on the colour together and she opened the needle in front of me (which was important to me). She also explained everything that she was doing (mixing of the ink, testing the size of the dots and involving me in every step of the process). It was like visiting a doctor who REALLY cared about your wellbeing. Everything was clean, clinical and over exceeded my expectations.
After one session – there was a slight improvement. This was exactly what I wanted. I was very happy as no-one even noticed. I did another 2 sessions with Gwendoline.
After the 3rd session, I look completely normal!
No-one has even stared at my scalp or asked any questions. For me it’s made a huge difference. It is just a shade over my scalp and it gave me the confidence to trim my hair to a Zero or a number One on Electric Shaver. I now, don’t use any medication, no minoxidil, won’t ever do a hair transplant in my life again – this has greatly helped me transition from a “thinned out look” to a buzz cut with sufficient coverage.
I am so happy with my result – each treatment took the whole day out of Gwendoline’s diary. She spends the whole day with you. So please fella’s – for the hours she puts in and the result – don’t let the cost bother you. It’s effective, it looks natural and this is a highly professional aesthetic service. Gwendoline is the best in South Africa. NO ONE else in SA performs this treatment on this level. We are privileged to have her. She is an expert in her field. I trust no one else, hence why I flew up 3 times to visit her and will be coming back every year for my yearly check up. This is far more cost effective and in my case better than a HT, medication or daily sprays!
Thank you Gwendoline – you have made life for this man so much more bearable. No more feeling uncomfortable in harsh lights at the office, or in the sun or at a restaurant. I can keep my head up high and walk with confidence.
The SMP procedure is calculated according to the Hamilton Scale (for men) and the Ludwig Scale (for women)
You may be wondering…
What is Scalp Micro-pigmentation?
In short, scalp micro-pigmentation is the process of tattooing the scalp with tiny micro-dots in order to give the resemblance of stubble – a short buzz-cut appearance which looks best when any remaining hair is kept very short. To the experienced practitioner, scalp micro-pigmentation is a simple procedure, it is relatively non-invasive and there is no down time.
A specialised pigment (not just any tattoo ink) is matched to the existing hair colour (if any exists) or skin tone and a hairline is agreed upon based on where it used to be. Hundreds of micro-dots are then added to the scalp – focusing on the areas of thinning hair.
The same SMP process may be used to camouflage a variety of head scars – including FUE scars.
Pain, if any, is minimal. While this can be a time-consuming procedure, it has proven to be an excellent alternative – and fast-growing in popularity.
Women and Alopecia
It may surprise you to know that women make up a staggering 40% of hair loss sufferers. Women are 53% more likely than men (26%) to seek medical intervention options. While a large variety of specialized medications and treatments are available for both male and female alopecia sufferers, there are no conclusive studies proving effective long term relief for alopecia, which may negatively affect even highly visible parts of the body – including eyebrows and eyelashes.
In some instances, women may experience the condition temporarily, for example during pregnancy, whilst suffering hormone imbalances or following intense shock. However, after treatment, hair growth will usually return to normal, providing there is no underlying medical cause which may have remained undiagnosed.
The negative social implications have devastating effects on both the self-image and emotional wellbeing of this growing number of men and women.
Each and every case of alopecia needs to be respectfully treated on a unique and individual basis and I would encourage anyone suffering from alopecia to seek advice from an experienced professional in order to explore the treatment options most suitable to individual lifestyles. Working in this field is as highly rewarding to the practitioner, as it is to the would-be client, in that it dramatically improves self-esteem, restores dignity and confidence – thereby effectively giving the client a new lease on life.
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About the author:
Gwendoline Johnston owns Permanent Makeup by Gwendoline where she practices as a Permanent Make-up Specialist,based in Johannesburg. Gwendoline attained her Masters Certification from the American Institute of Intradermal Cosmetics in October 2013. She has kept fully up to date with ongoing study in the latest techniques and trends and has obtaining over twenty certificates and diplomas both locally in South Africa and internationally – attending advanced permanent makeup training seminars, master classes, conferences and workshops.
Gwendoline’s vast experience attained over the past twenty years, together with a thorough understanding of skin and colour, has placed her in the confident position to teach, advise and perform in all areas of advanced permanent make-up, including para-medical applications. Permanent Makeup by Gwendoline is affiliated with local and international Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Specialists and Medical Spa’s.
“Throughout my career, I have remained committed to delivering excellence. I have a deep passion for my craft and genuine care for my clients, which when teamed with the highest level of professionalism, my aim is to deliver unparalleled performance within the vibrant and ever-evolving world of permanent makeup.”
Landline: (011) 704-3086
E-mail: info@permanentmakeup.co.za or gwendoline@permanentmakeup.co.za
Website: www.permanentmakeup.co.za