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.