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

ANSWER:    Hair Replication Specialist Mark A. Weston has developed the Artistry Concepts Hybrid Method (ACHM™), which is commercially unavailable.  You may see a close-up of a natural hair follicle and ACHM™  replicated follicles on the page.  The ACHM™   is patent pending.   Others providers utilize "commercial" equipment and supplies, meaning that they purchase their systems and supplies from permanent cosmetic/tattoo equipment supply houses.  These commercial supplies cannot provide needles small enough to produce a follicle the size of the  ACHM™  follicle. 

QUESTION:   In looking at photos on other competitive websites, it appears that all the men pictured have just about the same color "hair" after their procedures.  This is the case even if their "before" photos show they have very dark hair.  Why is this?

ANSWER:     As the ACHM™  is a natural replication, we do not first shade the scalp.  Some competitors shade the entire scalp a lighter tone than their natural hair color, then add "follicles" later.  That is why you never see any men with much deviation in hair color on their site(s).  Those men have to be fastidious in keeping their hair shaved, or their dark hair will be growing up through the lighter color shading.  We match all colors; gray, browns, blacks, blondes and even reds. 

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  ACHM™ during the first week.  As you can see from the above 10 year-old tattoos, Mr. Weston's mixed pigments do not "fade.

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

ANSWER:    The "blotchy" area is where the  ACHM™  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"  ACHM™  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 ACHM™ 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  ACHM™ .  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 ACHM™ is able to replicate.  They do not have access to our custom-made equipment/supplies and the ACHM™  detail cannot be precisely duplicated by anyone. 

QUESTION:  Your zoomed-in close up photos are phenomenal.  It is difficult to detect the natural follicles from the ACHM™ follicles once healed.  Other providers seem to show the same old photos with nothing new, as well as not providing enlarged detailed photos such as yours.  Why is this the case? 

ANSWER:    You would need to question the other providers their reasoning for this.  It may be that they are reluctant to show their work under close inspection.  With a procedure such as ACHM™, we believe it is absolutely necessary to provide high-quality and detailed photos on a well-lit background.  We do not use muted backgrounds for intentional concealment and want every potential client to be able to see exactly what they can expect.  Most of our "after" photos are taken outside in natural sunlight.

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 by Mark Weston, the developer of the Artistry Concepts Hybrid Method (ACHM™).  You will not have your procedure done by a outside franchise or partners with stylists, subcontractors, employees, apprentices nor trainees. 

QUESTION:  Can the ACHM™  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:  Some competitors state that they use only FDA approved pigments.  Are your pigments FDA approved?

ANSWER:    This is false information.  There are NO pigments that are presently approved by the FDA.  Some of the ingredients used in cosmetics are FDA approved and some of these same ingredients are also used in cosmetic pigments.  However, the organic cosmetic pigments themselves are not approved for use by the FDA nor are any other pigments.

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 absorbtion 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:    Not a problem. Should you continue to lose your hair, you may return for touch-ups in the new area to replace the hair that you have lost until your balding ceasing entirely.  However, 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 ACHM™ 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 heard that this treatment can actually cause hair to grow back.  Is this possible?

ANSWER:    While we have not had a case of a patron reporting regrowth of hair, it is possible because of stimulation to the blood vessels on the scalp while undergoing the proper tattooing method.  Similar to that of acupuncture to the scalp. 

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.