Blog Post

Can you Have a Hair Transplant and Scalp Micropigmentation?

Dr. William Yates • September 11, 2018

Can you Have a Hair Transplant and Scalp Micropigmentation?

Many women and most men will experience some degree of hair loss throughout their life and in fact, it is believed that 50% of men will have some degree of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) by the time they turn 50. Since there are so many patients who will want to find a solution for their hair loss, there have been great advances in the hair restoration field throughout the years.

One of the treatments that is becoming more and more popular is scalp micropigmentation. Scalp micropigmentation is a non-surgical hair loss treatment option in which natural pigments are applied at the epidermis level of the scalp in order to replicate the appearance of hair follicles or strands. Scalp micropigmentation delivers very realistic and natural looking results that replicate the natural patterns of any hair you have remaining by applying several layers of pigment and varying the depth and angle of them.

Scalp micropigmentation is a very popular treatment option for both men and women because they are able to get instant results, experience very little pain and have little to no downtime. Even though scalp micropigmentation does not actually restore your hair, it is great at hiding any hair loss you are experiencing.

Another option for those suffering from hair loss is a hair transplant, which is a surgical procedure that is the only permanent solution for hair loss. This procedure will take a few hours and afterwards, there will be a bit of redness, some minor swelling and some scabbing where the hair was transplanted. This will usually clear up within a week.

Many people are opting to combine these treatments in order to reap the benefits that they each offer.

Getting Scalp Micropigmentation Before Having a Hair Transplant Surgery

It is normally recommended that young men do not get a hair transplant surgery until they are older, since their hair loss pattern is not very likely to be well established and it is essential that only permanent hair follicles that are not affected by androgenetic alopecia down the road are transplanted.

However, young men can get scalp micropigmentation and this may be an excellent option for young men who are unhappy with their current state of hair loss and are looking for a solution. If further hair loss occurs, you may need to have another treatment eventually and getting a hair transplant surgery is a viable option since there will not be any damage to your hair follicles or to your scalp.

Getting Scalp Micropigmentation After Having a Hair Transplant Surgery

There are some patients who had a hair transplant years ago and are looking to hide the scars from their surgery. This happens often for men who had the old-fashioned FUT “strip” surgery that left behind long and very apparent scars on the back of their head. Scalp micropigmentation allows for these scars to be camouflaged, which can help to restore self-confidence.

Combining Scalp Micropigmentation and a Hair Transplant

When patients have a hair transplant, there is only a certain amount of follicles that are able to be transplanted and this number can be further reduced if there is only a small donor area. After the hair transplant, scalp micropigmentation can help to enhance the appearance of the hair’s density.

If you would like to learn more about what hair loss treatments would be a good solution for you, you can contact the experienced hair loss physician, Dr. Yates. He will be able to determine what is causing your hair loss and will let you know what your options are for treatment.


February 17, 2025
Like many of my patients, I struggled with hair loss for years. My hair began thinning in high school, and by my 20s, my confidence was at an all-time low. I tried every vitamin and hair loss remedy, and spent countless hours trying to mask my baldness, feeling self-conscious in both personal and professional settings. It wasn’t until my late 30s that I finally took action. After undergoing a successful hair restoration procedure, my life changed dramatically. Within 8 to 12 months, my hair grew back, and with it, my confidence soared. I looked 10 years younger, and I no longer had to rely on time-consuming styling tricks. People treated me differently, and I felt like the best version of myself. That transformation led me to make a major career shift—from a successful Trauma and Cancer Surgeon to a full-time hair restoration specialist. I was double board-certified by the American Board of Surgery in Trauma Surgery & Critical Care Surgery and thriving in my field, but my personal experience with hair loss gave me a new mission. I knew firsthand the emotional toll it takes, and I wanted to help others regain not just their hair, but their self-esteem and quality of life. I initially worked for a large corporate hair restoration group but quickly realized that the best results come from a physician-led practice—where the doctor is personally invested in every patient’s success. That’s why I founded Yates Hair Science Group. We specialize in advanced FUE hair restoration and cutting-edge biologic treatments to achieve the best possible results. Unlike many clinics, I personally perform every procedure—never delegating to technicians or nurses—because hair restoration is both a science and an art. Every patient I treat, whether through surgical or non-surgical solutions, I connect with on a personal level—because I’ve lived their journey. I believe a specialty as life-changing as hair restoration should never be driven by corporate interests focused solely on profit. If you're struggling with hair loss, I understand what you’re going through because I’ve been there myself. Let’s work together to find the right solution for you. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward restoring your hair—and your confidence.
December 18, 2024
The public should be aware of an alarming issue within the Chicago area hair restoration industry: unlicensed individuals posing as licensed physicians and performing medical procedures. This deceptive practice jeopardizes patient safety and erodes trust in qualified medical professionals. Recent reports have uncovered that patients seeking treatment at the International Hair Institute (IHI) were led to believe that their procedures were performed by Jing Liu, MD, CEO of the clinic. Upon investigation, it became evident that while Ms. Liu obtained a medical degree in China, she has neither undergone the necessary training nor acquired licensure to practice medicine in the United States. Previously employed as a lab assistant at Northwestern Hospital, she is not listed with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) as a licensed physician. Despite this, Ms. Liu is reportedly presenting herself as an American-licensed physician and performing hair restoration surgeries at IHI. In response to inquiries from discerning patients, Ms. Liu has allegedly claimed the clinic is overseen by a licensed internist, Dr. Wang, who has no known expertise in hair restoration and may not even be present onsite. This deceptive behavior not only endangers patients but also undermines the integrity of the medical profession. Unlike hospital settings—where physicians undergo rigorous vetting and credential verification to ensure they can practice their specialty safely, competently, and ethically—some hair restoration clinics operate with little to no oversight. Many patients remain unaware of the complexity and skill required for hair transplant surgery. As a former board-certified general, cancer, and trauma surgeon, I can attest that hair transplant surgery demands both mental and physical dexterity, as well as extensive training and experience, to achieve safe and excellent outcomes. Illinois law mandates that only a licensed physician may perform procedures involving incisions in the skin. In hair transplant surgery, these include FUT (follicular unit transplantation) linear scalp incisions, FUE (follicular unit extraction) punch graft harvesting, and recipient site creation for follicular grafts. Despite these clear legal guidelines, it appears that many clinics delegate these critical tasks to unqualified medical assistants or non-physician staff, putting patients at unnecessary risk. Such practices insult physicians who have undergone years of rigorous training in accredited medical schools, residency programs, and fellowships. The lack of enforced regulations in the hair restoration industry has enabled this brazen disregard for medical standards to persist. Without proper oversight and accountability, the situation will likely worsen, leaving more patients vulnerable to substandard and unsafe care. This is an urgent call for increased regulatory enforcement and public awareness to protect patients and restore trust in the medical profession.
December 6, 2024
It’s a well-known fact that nearly 60 million Americans experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Among the many options for restoring the luster of one’s hair, hair transplantation is widely regarded as offering the most enduring results. Recent data from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) shows a clear uptick in the number of hair transplants, with procedures increasing by 20% or more annually. This surge in demand has opened the floodgates for a multitude of less-than-qualified physicians and non-physicians who claim to be experts in the field. Unlike traditional medicine, where doctors must graduate from an accredited medical school and undergo rigorous vetting by committees and other professionals to practice in hospitals or specialize in their fields, there are no comparable standards of care for hair transplants. This lack of regulation makes it difficult for patients to determine who is truly qualified to perform such procedures. Although licensed healthcare providers are held to strict medical and ethical standards, the absence of oversight in hair transplant practices has led to alarming trends. Some physicians are completing weekend courses and immediately setting up fully operational clinics, with little to no hands-on experience. Hair transplant centers are also being opened by businesspeople with no medical expertise, who hire the cheapest available physicians or technicians to perform the procedures. To make matters worse, some clinics intentionally obfuscate the qualifications of their staff—such as individuals with doctorates in unrelated fields who claim to be medical doctors—and others employ foreign-trained doctors who are not licensed to practice in the U.S. These professionals often misrepresent their credentials, degrees, and skill sets. I was recently made aware of a physician, Vinay Rawlani, who allegedly held a staff position at Northwestern University, a prestigious hospital in Chicago where I proudly attended medical school. Many patients who have visited my office mentioned that they had also consulted with him, and he claimed to be a staff member at Northwestern, with an office there. Upon further investigation, I discovered that his medical license had been revoked in 2017 and only reinstated in 2020, which would render it impossible for him to be an expert in hair transplant surgery. Rawlani was also charged with felony theft of nearly $200,000 worth of equipment from the hospital. Although the stolen property was found in his home, Rawlani pleaded not guilty to the charges. This information is a matter of public record. It is absurd that someone who has stolen from a hospital and profited from that theft is now masquerading as a faculty member at the very institution he victimized. I am shocked that Northwestern has allowed him to rent office space within the institution from which he stole. Rawlani’s deception has been so successful that he is now recognized as a medical director at other hair transplant clinics. I personally know convicted felons who are denied the privilege to vote. By no means, however, is Rawlani the only one pretending to be an expert in this field. To protect yourself, follow these steps when considering a hair transplant: First, verify the provider’s credentials to ensure they are licensed and certified by a recognized medical board. Research the clinic by looking for reviews and before-and-after videos (which can’t be manipulated like photos) and confirming the facility’s accreditation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the provider’s experience, techniques, and safety protocols. A hair transplant is an investment in your appearance and confidence. Cutting corners by choosing an unlicensed provider can lead to devastating health complications, poor results, and significant financial and emotional costs. When it comes to your health and well-being, the best option is always the one that prioritizes safety and expertise. Make informed choices, and you’ll not only protect yourself but also achieve the lasting, natural results you deserve.
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