the innovative solution for hair loss & HT Scars     

  Research and Development Division

     The Center's continuing research offers the latest in technology, and  boasting an on-site Research and Development Division.    Until recently, Mr. Weston's personal research was conducted off-site.  But now, our new facility accommodates all R & D right here on site.  An experienced tattoo artist for 30 years, Mark Weston continues to personally research and develop the most advanced equipment, supplies and pigments for use in the  ACHM™.  Information on this page has been compiled by The Center's own extensive research and personal consultations with potential clients.  The Center continues to address such issues brought to our attention from men who have procedures of lesser quality done regarding  scarring and discoloration from over pigmentation, pigment color change,  migration and fading.

    ACHM™ Developer Mark Weston mixes his own specially formulated permanent pigments, and does not use the commercially pre-made temporary pigments.  As an experienced tattoo artist, Mark has been mixing his own custom pigments for over 13 years and has seen their long-term effects and that they remain true to color.  

     Many dark-haired Caucasian men have natural blue "undertones" to their skin.  The photograph to the left is a close up of Mark Weston's own scalp, where the blue undertones of his skin can be seen.  These natural blue skin undertones need to be taken into consideration when choosing the proper color pigment.  Commercially-made black pigments contain blue additives and can dramatically enhance these undertones quickly by turning the black pigment blue on the scalp.  But with the ACHM™  made pigments, you can be assured that your scalp will not turn blue like the procedure pictured below.  Some competitors unfamiliar with skin tones alleviate this problem with commercial pigments by first shading the scalp to mask your natural skin undertone, but shading of the scalp can create a "clash" with your facial tones.  Because we have enough experience with skin tones and have developed our own pigments, we do not have to first "shade" your scalp a generic color.   The   ACHM™ allows you to remain an individual with your natural tones. 

       This photo shows a "hair replication" that was done by a permanent cosmetics professional in California, assuming she could mimic the ACHM™.  The pigment is already turning blue (after only 10 days), and she told the client that she uses the "smallest" needle size available.   She went too deep into the fatty layer of the skin and because so, this cosmetic pigment will most likely never fade entirely.  This is a thumbnail, so please enlarge for your inspection.

SCARRING:  Hair replication and HT camouflage is a procedure that should be done preferably once only, and right the first time.  After repeated applications or touch ups, your scalp can become scarred and will cease to accept any pigment.   The photo to the right shows a close-up of an eyebrow done three times with a cosmetic temporary procedure.  This result is even more so with an HT scar, as it is already "weak," and repeated camouflage applications will eventually further damage the scar.  Note the excessive and raised scarring on the "bulb" of the eyebrow to the right after only three "touch-ups."   The Center does not recommend temporary cosmetic pigments for hair replication/simulation procedures.

SCALP DISCOLORATION: This photo shows a scalp that was done twice already with temporary cosmetic pigments.  These commercial pigments were used in attempting to "thicken" a hair transplant.    Both times, the color faded and eventually left the scalp discolored (almost a greenish-tinge).  The "shadow" left by repetitive scalp shadings will never entirely fade, even with temporary cosmetic pigments.

          Providers & Options

    As this website is also an informational site, any information below is opinion and knowledge based on extensive research and intended solely for a matter of public interest and to assist you in exploring your options.      

   These procedures offered by this UK company first shades your scalp, then you heal for about two weeks, later returning for a follow up visit to add "follicles."  The "follicles" are placed in a darker pigment with the smallest needles commercially (needles purchased from tattoo supply houses) available, and while this end result may be acceptable to some men, this procedure is temporary only.  This procedure can be done in as little as three hours, but the procedure needs to be repeated approximately every 18-36 months. 

     The below is as written by the client and not modified by Artistry Concepts, LLC.

    MY STORY:  "I'm 21 and a student in Georgia. I've been dealing with a receding hairline problem since the age of 17. A couple of months ago I received a hair follicle tattoo from another competitor and although the hair where it was worked on has faded entirely too much (about 2 months) and I'm not seeing the result I want.  I'm going to be gone for about a month on my winter break vacation which will also allow that side to heal. I believe that your techniques from your pictures that I have seen numerous of is the best option for me.  I chose the other competitor more so for location purposes because once again I'm a college student and I am on a budget.  I had seen your pictures in regards to African Americans like myself and I was VERY impressed because what I see in your work is EXACTLY the look I want for myself! I should have chose you guys and that was my mistake. This has just been all a shocker to me because I should have chosen you guys from the beginning. I was so impressed with all the feedback that you guys have received and your pictures of other African Americans that I jumped to the quickest person that could do it, and that was my mistake.  I'm very excited and I love the ACHM method and how you do work so that everything can look natural.

     Some hair simulation procedures being offered are based on the temporary method(s) above that originated in the United Kingdom.  This method has found it's way to the US in the past year, and now is appearing in the form of franchises, partners or subsidiaries.   From personal consultations with clients, we have found that these repeated shadings of the scalp can cause scarring and discoloration.  The potential scarring from repeat procedures can have an impact on any future HT work or other new treatments that become available for hair loss sufferers.  In addition, even when this procedure fades, it still leaves the scalp with a off-color shadow unlike your natural scalp skin tone.  The Artistry Concepts  ACHM™  leaves a permanent follicle replication without scarring and with no future effect on other procedures.  Caution is expressed when you are considering any provider's method, and be sure to request them to explain their procedure in detail step-by-step and to provide closeup photos.

    The hair replication procedure to the left was attempted by a tattoo artist or permanent cosmetics salon.   The commercially available needles are way too large to naturally replicate hair follicles.  The pigments turned blue/green and the artist was not familiar with skin tones.    

   MY STORY:    "I spoke with you and Mark last week.  I'm in a desperate situation right now and would like your immediate help with correcting what was done so far and complete the micropigmentation job properly, your professional way.  I'm in a half baked situation now, with my scalp half tattooed, some stubble hair on top and my sides and back are long, I have to wear a cap and it's affecting my social and business life."  NOTE:  Another hair replication attempt by a permanent cosmetics salon.   Once again the commercially available needles are way too large to naturally replicate hair follicles.  As this person moved to the back of this man's head, the "follicles" got sparser and sparser.  The pigment turned blue/green. 

FACTS REGARDING COSMETIC PIGMENTS & THEIR APPLICATION: