Scalp micropigmentation is an effective treatment for localized alopecia: technical analysis and a series of ten case reports

Description

Research Hypothesis: Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a safe and effective minimally invasive cosmetic procedure for improving the appearance of localized alopecia, including androgenetic and scarring subtypes. Technical refinements in needle selection, pigment layering, and implantation depth can optimize outcomes and patient satisfaction. What the data shows: The data comprises clinical outcomes from ten patients with localized alopecia (6 with androgenetic alopecia, 4 with scarring alopecia) who underwent a standardized three-session SMP protocol. Results show significant cosmetic improvement, with high immediate post-treatment Visual Density Scores (VDS: 8.7 ± 1.1) and Patient Satisfaction Scores (PSS: 2.7/3). At 6-month follow-up, VDS remained high (7.7 ± 1.4), though scarring alopecia showed greater fading. A strong correlation was found between VDS and PSS (ρ = 0.91, p < 0.001). No adverse events were reported. Notable findings: Androgenetic alopecia cases showed better pigment retention than scarring alopecia (ΔVDS = 0.9 vs. 1.6, p = 0.03). 85.7% of androgenetic alopecia patients reported being "very satisfied" (PSS = 3). Technical refinements (e.g., zone-specific needle selection, randomized pigment distribution, incremental density increase) contributed to natural-looking results. Interpretation: The data supports SMP as a viable cosmetic solution for localized alopecia, with sustained outcomes and high patient satisfaction. The technique is particularly effective for androgenetic alopecia, while scarring alopecia may require more frequent touch-ups. The strong correlation between objective and subjective measures validates the use of VDS and PSS as reliable evaluation tools. Data description: The dataset includes: Pre- and post-treatment clinical photographs of ten patients Visual Density Scores (VDS) and Patient Satisfaction Scores (PSS) recorded immediately post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up Technical parameters (needle types, pigment density per session, implantation depth protocol) Patient demographics and alopecia subtypes Data collection method: Data were collected from ten patients treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Standardized SMP sessions were conducted at one-week intervals. Outcomes were assessed using VDS (0–10 scale) and PSS (0–3 scale). Photographic documentation was performed at each session and follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted using Spearman’s correlation and paired t-tests. How to interpret and use the data: The data can be used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SMP in clinical practice. Researchers and practitioners can reference the technical protocols (e.g., needle selection, pigment density progression) to standardize SMP procedures. The scoring systems (VDS and PSS) can be adopted for outcome assessment. The dataset may also support comparative studies or meta-analyses on cosmetic treatments for alopecia.

Categories

Funding

Licence