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.