The Artistry Concepts Hair Replication Center has its own on-site Research and Development Division. Research is conducted right here at The Center for developing and advancing the ACHM™ equipment, application method, supplies and pigments. The Center continues to address issues regarding HT scarring and discoloration from over pigmentation, pigment color change, migration and fading, and is committed to providing clients with the most advanced technology in the industry to combat these problems. The ACHM™ and ACHM2™ are both patent pending. The ACHM2™ equipment, supplies and the specific method of application are unlike other "procedures." The method of application alone is not applied like conventional tattooing nor a micropigmentation process. Because the ACHM2™ permanent pigments (not semi-permanent) are placed under the skin, the ACHM2™ has to be classified as "tattooing." No other provider in the world possesses such dedication to advancing the technology in this field.

After a friend approached Mark Weston 18 years ago with the "idea" of tattooing hair stubble on his bald head, Mark proceeded to accommodate his friend. With the conventional tattoo equipment available at that time, the hair "stubble" look was created and Mark had several more opportunities since that time throughout the years to "create" the stubble look. But with the onset of the popularity of the buzz cut, Mark started receiving inquiries about this possibility further. But much like the early hair transplants, the earlier hair replications pictured below did not satisfy Mark Weston's personal strive for total perfection. These results were partially due to the inadequate and inconsistency of commercial equipment and supplies. While we have criticized for these early replications, ironically, the fact remains that all other providers out there right now are utilizing the very same commercially-available equipment and supplies that created these early replications.

Mark then began to research, build and refine equipment, supplies and pigments. Armed with the extensive knowledge and experience of what worked for fine art tattooing and what did not work for "semi-permanent" cosmetics, Mark Weston drove himself to further refine his pigments for use on the scalp only and to perfect a specific application technique in order to replicate the most realistic hair follicles possible with the least amount of irritation to the scalp. His research eventually led him to developing the ACHM™ and ACHM2™ proprietary equipment and methods that are both presently in application and are patent-pending. Going from 8 hair replications to over 250 procedures since February of 2009, Mark Weston has clearly been chosen as the preferred researcher and leader in this field.

Some of the first Artistry Concepts hair replications that were not the ACHM™ nor the ACHM2™ are pictured below. These are replications that were performed with commercial equipment, needles and supplies PRIOR to the development of the ACHM™ and ACHM2™:

This gentleman to the left was among the earlier hair replications of almost a year ago, before the ACHM™ and ACHM2™ were developed. The photo to the far left is a photo the man took on his I-Phone. The "point" areas that appear larger is excess pigment remaining in the scalp pores before thorough shampooing after the first day. The photo to the left was taken immediately after his finished procedure with a higher resolution camera. This man was and is still happy with his early replication. The photo to the far right shows how he looks today.

Another photograph of an earlier replication (not the ACHM™) to the left was taken immediately after the procedure. Like the one above, the man's head still needed shampooing to remove excess pigment lying in the pores of the scalp. Also like the man above, he was also happy with his replication.

This early hair replication done in February of 2009 also was not the ACHM™. It was a challenging case as this gentleman had a birthmark on the back of his head (near left photo) as well as rosacea. He completed the hair replication procedure in four stages. The challenge was to blend the replication around (not over) the birthmark, and to match his red hair. He wears his natural hair shaved on the sides, and the photo to the far right was taken on his wedding day and sent to Artistry Concepts approximately four months after the procedure.

FROM MARK WESTON: Another provider, HIS Hair Clinic in the UK has personally taken on the task to attempt to discredit me and my services throughout the Internet. IAN WATSON and HIS Hair Clinic have deliberately posted false and derogatory information regarding the ACHM™ on his website. (This appears to be a pattern with him, as he has also posted on his website malicious information regarding another provider of similar services.) He has stolen copywritten material and intentionally misidentified our above early replication photos on his webpage as the ACHM™. He has viciously assaulted my character, work experience and ethics. I know that many of my previous clients and "clients in waiting" are infuriated about Mr. Watson's slanderous postings. However, I do request that any of my clients please refrain from posting any retaliatory negative comments regarding HIS Hair Clinic on the Internet.

The ACHM2™ is all new (patent pending) application system and method that provides an even more natural-looking and tinier micro-point follicle yet. The ACHM2™ has been in application since December 2009, and is the most sophisticated process available for hair replication. The ACHM2™ is able to offer a shortened application time frame as well as less irritation to the scalp. The ACHM2™ equipment, supplies and advanced application technology are unlike other "procedures." The application method alone is not applied like conventional tattooing nor the standard micropigmentation process.

Continued development has perfected the ACHM™ to it's present level of follicle replication. The newly developed and more refined ACHM2™ (patent pending) provides even a more natural-looking micro point follicle. While the ACHM2™ has already been in application, we have just recently filed a second patent for this most sophisticated ACHM™ yet. Both the ACHM™ and the ACHM2™ provide remarkable permanent results and continuing research in this field is what is making The Center the world renowned leaders. Both ACHM™ systems utilize proprietary equipment in conjunction with the specialized ACHM™ pigments for use on the scalp only. Both the ACHM™ and the ACHM2™ produce excellent end results and both are used in application.

With his 30 years of extensive tattooing experience, Mark Weston has been preparing his own custom pigments for over 13 years for tattooing and micropigmentation. The ACHM™ and ACHM2™ pigments have further been specifically formulated for use on the scalp only, and are derived from a powder base and prepared under sterilized conditions in The Center's own lab. These pigments remain true to color without turning blue or green with time. Other providers utilize cosmetic pigments that change color and are manufactured to intentionally fade within a few year's time. The ACHM2™ pigments do not contain any heavy metals (no allergic reactions) nor do they contain blue and other off-color additives. So if your natural hair color is dark, you can rest assured that our black pigments will not turn blue. These specially-prepared ACHM™ and ACHM2™ pigments are also part of our patent pending procedures. Due to our proprietary pigments and our extensive experience with skin tones, we do not have to pre-shade the scalp a generic color.

THERE ARE NO FDA REGULATIONS REGARDING PIGMENTS FOR USE UNDER THE SKIN. THIS PERTAINS TO TATTOO, COSMETIC OR ANY OTHER CUSTOM-MIXED PIGMENTS.

HAIR SYSTEMS: Artistry Concepts is specific in our pre-procedure instructions for clients that wear hair systems. The man to the left wore a hair system and was instructed to refrain from wearing the system for at least 10 days prior to the ACHM™. Upon his arrival, he informed us that he only ceased wearing his system for just a few days. His scalp was excessively irritated with some open skin in areas on the top, and irritation into the frontal hairline and on the temples. This made the application of the ACHM™ more difficult as well as inaccurate. The ACHM™ CANNOT be applied on irritated or open skin. In addition, this man had hair transplants with an uneven hairline, which he requested NOT be corrected. All accepted clients must adhere to the pre-procedure guidelines as set forth by Artistry Concepts, LLC.

HAIR TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: In most cases, clients with hair transplants will require at least two applications. Covering of hair transplant donor scars is a camouflage and may still be somewhat visible depending on the extent of the scarring. In some cases, numerous applications of the ACHM2™ may be necessary depending on the client's skin's acceptance of the pigment. In addition in many cases, a second application is also required in the hair transplant recipient and any scalp reduction areas as well. NOTE: All hair transplant clients must understand, be amenable and to comply with returning for any needed reapplication and/or touchups (at no charge). We must receive clear photos of any and all scarring, and full disclosure history of your hair transplant(s) prior to your estimate. Photos shown here are before the ACHM2 application.