Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata in Izmir

Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata in Izmir

What is Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata?

Permanent makeup for alopecia areata, technically known as “Medical Micropigmentation” or “Hair Simulation,” is a procedure to cover the sparse (alopecia) areas caused by alopecia areata by giving the appearance of hair follicles or hair using special devices and pigments. This procedure is not a classic tattoo application. The needles, dyes, and application depth used are specially developed according to medical aesthetic standards.

The main purpose of this application is to camouflage the “patch”-like gaps caused by alopecia areata by making them compatible with the hair density and color in the surrounding tissue. The procedure does not cause hair to regrow (it is not curative), but it eliminates the appearance of bare skin by creating a hair follicle effect. In this way, the person gets rid of the visual discomfort caused by alopecia areata and continues their social life with confidence.

What Causes Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease caused by the body’s immune system attacking its own hair follicles. White blood cells perceive hair follicles as foreign substances, attack them, and stop hair production. While the exact cause is unknown, genetic predisposition, intense stress, trauma, viral infections, and hormonal changes are thought to be triggers. The disease can sometimes resolve spontaneously, but it can also become chronic, causing permanent bald patches. Permanent makeup is an ideal option, especially for those who are resistant to treatments or who have aesthetic concerns during the healing process.

How Does Permanent Makeup Provide a Solution for Alopecia Areata?

Medical camouflage is the art of creating an optical illusion. The skin in the affected area is usually shiny and smooth. This creates a significant contrast with the surrounding hairy tissue and draws attention to the area. With permanent makeup application:

• The shine on the skin is balanced with matte pigments.
• A hair root appearance (dotting effect) is given, creating the impression that the area is full.
• The color tone is evened out, making the boundary between the bald area and the hairy area less noticeable.
• Since the person does not see the symptoms of the disease when looking in the mirror, the stress level decreases, which indirectly contributes positively to the healing process of the disease.

Permanent Makeup Application Process for Alopecia Areata

The process applied at Izmir Private Demiderm Polyclinic is carried out with high hygiene standards and personalized planning:

1. Consultation: Whether the alopecia areata is active (state of spread) is evaluated. If the hair loss is very active and rapid, dermatological treatment may be recommended before the procedure.

2. Color Selection: The pigment best suited to the patient’s existing hair color, skin undertone, and hair thickness is specially prepared.

3. Test Application: If necessary, a test is performed on a small area to see the skin’s reaction to the pigment.

4. Application: Using sterile micro-needles, pigments are applied to the epidermis layer in dots (dotwork) or hairline patterns. Which Areas Can Be Treated with Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata can affect not only the scalp but also other hairy areas of the body. Micropigmentation can be applied in the following areas:

Scalp: This is the most common application area. Regional round gaps are simulated.

• Beard and Moustache: Gaps caused by beard loss in men are filled with a beard root effect.
• Eyebrows: In cases of eyebrow loss, the eyebrow shape is recreated using the “Hair Technique” or “Powdering” method.

How to Create a Natural Hair Look?

The secret to naturalness lies in the technique used and the depth of the pigment.To achieve a natural look on the skin, the “Simulation” technique is used. In this technique, pigments are placed on the skin not in blocks like a standard tattoo, but in microscopic dots. These dots mimic the appearance of newly emerging or shaved hair follicles. If the hair is long, the density is increased by covering the whiteness at the root with the “Shading” technique. Our experts analyze the direction and density of existing hair growth and integrate the camouflage into this structure.

Concealing the Appearance of Alopecia Areata with Micropigmentation

The transition line (border) between the alopecia areata and the healthy hair area is the most critical point of the procedure. If this border is too sharp, an artificial appearance is created. The experts at Izmir Private Demiderm Polyclinic provide a smooth transition by changing the pigment density from the center of the gap outwards with the “Gradient” working principle. Thus, when viewed from the outside, it is not clear where the hair ends and where the simulation begins.

Who is Suitable for Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata?

This procedure is suitable for women and men experiencing alopecia areata (regional hair loss), alopecia totalis (complete hair loss), or hair loss due to scarring. However, caution should be exercised in the following cases:

– Application is not performed on areas with active skin infections.

– A test application is mandatory for skin prone to keloid (raised scar) formation.

– The procedure can be performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding with doctor’s approval.

Pigment Selection: Design According to Hair Color

The dyes used in hair simulation are special pigments that do not change color over time (do not turn blue or green). These carbon-based or organic pigments are metabolized and eliminated by the body over time. Black dye is not used directly on someone with black hair; because black dye can cool under the skin and turn blue. Instead, dark brown, anthracite, and special mixtures are used to obtain a tone that perfectly matches the hair color after healing.

Skin Analysis and Preliminary Consultation Process

Every skin type has a different structure, thickness, and oil content. Oily skin tends to shed pigment more quickly, while dry skin has longer-lasting results. During the preliminary consultation, the skin’s condition is analyzed, and the patient is given realistic information about how long the procedure will take, how many sessions will be needed, and the duration of the results. Whether the alopecia areata is active and whether the lesions are showing a tendency to grow are also evaluated at this stage.

How Many Sessions Does the Procedure Take?

Alopecia areata camouflage is generally not a procedure completed in a single session. A layering technique is applied to achieve the most natural and lasting result.

1st Session: A base is created, and the skin’s response to the pigment is measured.

2nd Session (10-15 days later): The intensity is increased, and the color tone is set.

3rd Session (If necessary): Touch-ups and detail work are performed.

The total number of sessions may vary depending on the size of the area to be covered.

Initial Effects Seen After Application

It is normal to experience slight redness and swelling in the area immediately after the procedure. The pigments may appear darker than usual in the first few days. This is due to the oxidation of the pigment and the remaining dye residue on the skin’s surface. Within a few days, the color will lighten and return to its natural tone with crusting and healing.

Post-Permanent Makeup Care for Alopecia Areata

Healing Process and Color Settlement Phase

The skin’s self-renewal process takes approximately 28 days. Crusting and shedding occur during the first week. The color may appear faded in the second week; this is called the “Ghosting” phase. As the pigments under the skin rise to the surface, the true color and result emerge in the 3rd and 4th weeks. Touch-up sessions are scheduled after this phase.

How Long Does Permanent Makeup Last? Duration of Permanence

Hair simulation is not a lifelong permanent procedure. The duration of permanence varies depending on the type of pigment used, the person’s skin type (oily/dry), metabolic rate, and sun exposure. On average, it lasts between 2 and 4 years. The color fades over time. To maintain the vibrancy of the procedure, it is recommended to have “reminder” (touch-up) sessions every 1-2 years.

The Relationship Between Alopecia Areata and Stress: The Role of Permanent Makeup

Alopecia areata has a cycle that can be stress-related and creates more stress in the person when it occurs. When the person looks in the mirror, they constantly see that gap and worry, “Is everyone looking there?” Medical camouflage, this cycleIt is a powerful tool for breaking the mold. Correcting the visual defect reduces the person’s social anxiety and contributes to the psychological healing process.

Permanent Makeup Applications in Men and Women

In Men: Since short hair is common, a shaved hair effect (dotting) is more frequently preferred. Gaps in the beard area are also filled with the same technique.

In Women: Since long hair is common, the goal is to darken (shading) the base of the scalp. This prevents the scalp from shining and makes the hair look fuller.

Safety and Side Effects of Permanent Makeup for Alopecia

When performed under sterile conditions, with single-use needles and certified pigments, the procedure is extremely safe. Possible side effects (mild swelling, redness) are temporary. It does not damage the hair follicles; because the procedure does not penetrate to the depth where the hair follicles are located (the lower layers of the dermis), it works more superficially. Therefore, it does not cause existing hair to fall out.

Techniques for Increasing Density in Alopecia Areas

If there is hair growth in the alopecia area but it is very sparse, the simulation process is performed between these hairs to increase density. This method gives a more 3D and natural result compared to cases where the area is completely bare.

Micro-Line Techniques with Hair-like Appearance

Especially in cases of alopecia in the eyebrow and sideburn areas, not only dotting but also the “Hair Stroke Technique” is used. In this technique, the appearance of real hair is imitated with fine lines. In this way, a natural texture is created that is in line with the flow direction of the eyebrow or sideburn.

Combined Use with Hair Mesotherapy

Permanent makeup is a camouflage method, not a treatment. However, it can be carried out simultaneously with alopecia treatment (cortisone, minoxidil, etc.) or Hair Mesotherapy. While hair follicles are stimulated with mesotherapy, the aesthetic appearance is corrected with simulation. However, simulation is not performed on the same day as active needle treatments (mesotherapy); a time interval should be left between them.

Color Stability in Alopecia Areata Camouflage with Permanent Makeup

In older procedures, the dyes turning blue over time was a common problem. This was because the dye was penetrated very deeply and contained heavy metals. Thanks to the new generation pigments and modern techniques used at Izmir Private Demiderm Polyclinic, color change (blue/greening) does not occur; the color only fades by turning gray over time.

Density Adjustment in Covering Alopecia Areata

Making the patchy area completely black all of a sudden does not look natural. The density in the treated area should be proportional to the surrounding hair density. In fact, the density is reduced in transition areas to increase naturalness. Our experts adjust the “dot density” millimeter by millimeter according to the patient’s hair structure.

Things to Know Before Getting Permanent Makeup for Alopecia Areata

Before making a decision, you should consider the following:

– This procedure does not regrow hair; it only improves the appearance.

– If you are considering shaving your head completely, the simulation must be compatible with the entire head.

– Sun protection after the procedure is the most important factor in extending the life of the treatment.

– Procedures performed by inexperienced hands can lead to color changes that are difficult to reverse.

Comparison of Hair Simulation and Hair Transplantation