QUESTION:  How can you accurately replicate a hair follicle being that it is so small?

ANSWER:    Mark A. Weston has developed the Artistry Concepts Hybrid Method (ACHM2™), which is neither micropgmentation nor tattooing, but a highly specialized medical "tattooing" process that is commercially unavailable.  You may see a close-up of a natural hair follicle and ACHM2™  replicated follicles on the page.  The ACHM™ and ACHM2™   are both patent pending.   Others providers utilize "commercial" equipment and supplies, meaning that they purchase their systems and supplies from permanent cosmetic/tattoo equipment supply houses. 

QUESTION:   I have been to a provider's website and they are not showing closeups of their work.  Their photos don't look any different than someone who uses Toppik or some other product.  How do I know if they are for real or just using photos of men with topical concealers? 

ANSWER:   You may go to this link to see the results of these concealers.   Toppik and/or other concealers produce excellent results and are very convincing from a distance.  If the provider does not show photos of the actual "follicles," magnified many times for your inspection, this should be a red flag.  You must be able to see each individual "follicle" next to the natural ones, as well as some scalp visibility, not a solid fill look.   And beware of Photo Shop. 

QUESTION:   I have some concerns about the long-term look of the ACHM.  I believe Artistry Concepts has only been in business for a short while, and I have seen no photos of the ACHM after several years.  How can you assure me about the look of the ACHM in years to come?

ANSWER:     While the legal entity of Artistry Concepts was registered as an LLC in 2007, Mr. Weston has been tattooing for 30 years. He has been tattooing on a full-time basis for the past 22 years, offering permanent cosmetics, medical tattooing as well as fine art tattooing under several entity names on the East Coast of the United States.  Mr. Weston has been mixing his own pigments from powder for years and they have been time-tested, and he has not used the commercially-available tattoo "inks" for over 13 years.  He has never used the lesser-quality permanent cosmetic pigments, and he has personally seen the long-term effects of his own custom-mixed pigments.  The customers who have properly cared for their tattoos and permanent cosmetics who have not subjected them to long-term sun effects, still have brilliantly colored work and have not changed color.  The Rottweiler tattoo was originally done in 1997 and rephotographed in 2008, and the lilies were also done about 10 years ago and rephotographed last year.  Both these tattoos were done with Mr. Weston's own pigment mixes.  There is no color change nor fading.

QUESTION:  How do you compensate for "fade."  From my experience with tattoos I have received, 50% of the color fades in the first few years, and in some cases, the first few weeks.

ANSWER:  There are several contributing factors to pigment fade/color change.  First, inferior pigments will fade rapidly.  Second, an inexperienced artist not knowing how deep to go into the skin.  Third, your regular tattoos may have been done with "outlining" pigment.  These factors will also cause black to "fade" to a blue/green hue.   Constant sunburn however, will kill pigment color, especially in the first year.  However, it is important not to confuse "fade" with "curing" in the  ACHM2™ during the first week.  As you can see from the above 10 year-old tattoos, Mr. Weston's mixed pigments do not "fade."  Unless the provider mixes their own black pigments from a powder base, those pigments contain blue additives.

QUESTION:  In looking at some of your "immediately after" photos, some of the ACHM2™ areas appear "blotchy."  What is the reason for this?

ANSWER:    The "blotchy" area is where the  ACHM2™  was blended into the natural remaining hair.  It appears slightly darker because the pigment is fresh and has not cured.  There are many photos on this website showing "cured"  ACHM2™  procedures.    As you can see from those photos, the blended "blotchy" area has disappeared.  Because we do not require clients to return for expensive follow up visits months later, we very seldom are able to get "cured" photos.  The "cured" clients that are on the website are clients that were vacationing here for a week or two, or those that live more locally.  The photo to the left is a thumbnail, so please enlarge.

QUESTION:   I'm concerned about how natural the ACHM2™ will look, as in many of the "after" photos, it appears that the hairlines are almost too "perfect."  Why is this?

ANSWER:    While we at Artistry Concepts make suggestions, but it is the client's end decision about the type of hairline they desire.  We find that most men are looking for and specifically requesting that "perfect" hairline.   But, for instance, actor Dominic Purcell to the left has almost a perfectly symmetrical hairline.  We can design any type of hairline you would like, including a more natural "uneven" look.   If a client has HT's, sometimes we are limited to the hairline the surgeon has already created. 

QUESTION:  Can any tattoo artist or permanent cosmetics professional perform this procedure? 

ANSWER:    Yes, but take a close look at the photos elsewhere in this site to see for comparisons to  ACHM2™ .  We are hearing a lot lately that "a tattoo is a tattoo," and a tattoo artist is a tattoo artist, but this is not the case.   So while perhaps any tattoo artist/permanent cosmetics salon may perform "hair replication/simulation" take a close look at what their "follicles"  look like.  They are unable to achieve the actual fine follicle detail that ACHM2™ is able to replicate.  They do not have access to our custom-made equipment/supplies and the ACHM2™  detail cannot be precisely duplicated by anyone. 

QUESTION:  Do I need to shave my head?

ANSWER:    In some cases, yes.  But it also depends on your present hairstyle and amount of loss.  If you are already very bald and wear a close-cropped style, then yes, but not all the way to the bare skin.  We can make that determination when you arrive, and your hair can be cut here.  If you are having hair replication to fill in sparse areas from a transplant or just to enhance your naturally thin hair, then no.  We are able to work in between your hair and you can continue to wear your hair at it's longer length, although this cost is higher as it is a more lengthy process.

QUESTION:  Who performs my procedure?

ANSWER:    Your procedure will be done only by Mark Weston, the developer of the Artistry Concepts Hybrid Method (ACHM2™).  You will not have your procedure done by a outside franchise or partners with stylists, subcontractors, "trained" technicians, employees, apprentices nor trainees. 

QUESTION:  Can the ACHM2™  be used on someone who has hair transplants to further enhance sparse areas of the scalp or to cover scars?

ANSWER:    Yes.  The replication process is the same and we will pay particular attention to the sparse areas and blend into your remaining hair and scalp to finish the natural look. 

QUESTION:  Does it hurt?  Do you use a topical numbing agent?

ANSWER:    No.  Most clients have reported a slight prickling sensation.  One patron even said it felt like he was getting a head massage.  No, we DO NOT use a topical numbing agent.  These numbing creams are known to have adverse side effects, in addition to interfering with the cellular structure of the skin during the process.   They are not FDA approved and are topical only and certainly are not to be used during a procedure where they are injected into the scalp with a needle.  Some competitors routinely use these creams, but it an unsafe practice that should definitely be frowned upon. 

QUESTION:  I have read somewhere that I am not able to wash my head for several days following similar procedures.  Is this accurate, or are your recommendations different?

ANSWER:    You can wash your head immediately after your procedure.  Our specially formulated pigments show immediate and permanent results.  In fact, your head may be washed during your procedure up to three times.  The more you wash your head, the shorter the healing time.  The reasoning behind  a several day wait period is because cosmetic pigments are used.  These pigments need to "seat" before your head is washed and by not waiting the several day period, you may  wash away your new "hair!" 

QUESTION:  What is the healing or recuperation time?  Do I need to take time off from work?

ANSWER:    The healing time is typically very short (about a week), but this also depends on each individual client.  For the majority of men, only a few days.  There is very little redness or swelling (almost none) after the procedure, while some other men develop redness for a day or two.  Our patrons typically are able return to work and their daily lives the next day, and no one will know except that you "look different."  However, the actual full absorption of the pigment "carriers" into the body can take up to a full year.

QUESTION:  What if I continue to lose my hair after the procedure?

ANSWER:    Mr. Weston quickly determines if you are still losing your hair as he starts your procedure, and will suggest additional replication if this is the case.  If your hair starts to gray, congratulations, you will now have that distinguished "salt and pepper" look that many men are seeking.   

QUESTION:  Do I need a follow up treatment?

ANSWER:    No.  Your only follow-up will be meeting with you the next day to check your scalp one last time, answer any additional questions and to discuss after care.  In some cases a small touchup may be required the following day if you develop irritation and redness.  The ACHM2™ achieves immediate and accurate replication of your follicles, proper blending and complete coverage in one session.  However, everyone's skin is different and it is possible that in some very rare cases a touch up will be required (this may be more so with HT scars under one year old).   Our procedure is permanent and will last a lifetime provided you don't continually sunburn your scalp.

QUESTION:  I have read claims from another provider that their procedure has made clients' hair grow back like acupuncture, is this possible?

ANSWER:    No!  While the theory may exist, this is an untrue statement.  Acupuncture needles must be left stationary in specific stimulus "points" for two to three minutes each at a time.  Any procedure other than the ACHM™ utilizes the traditional tattoo/permanent cosmetic equipment that injects the pigment in a very rapid up and down motion of a needle.  

QUESTION:  Can I continue to use Rogaine or a similar topical product after this procedure? 

ANSWER:    Yes.  But we suggest you wait at least 30 days until resuming use of these topical products.   

QUESTION:  Is there anyone who is not a candidate for this procedure?

ANSWER:     Yes, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or history of skin cancer of the scalp or any other skin disorder where tattooing may aggravate the condition further.