‘My face in someone else’s hands’: a qualitative study of medical tattooing in women with hair loss

Abstract

The psychological and social impact of hair loss and its ongoing treatment can be considerable. Medical treatments are not always successful, and alternative treatments, such as medical tattooing, are growing in popularity. The aims of this study were to explore adults' motivations, experiences, and self-perceived outcomes in relation to medical tattooing. Individual telephone interviews were conducted with 22 women from the United Kingdom aged 26-67 years who had undergone medical tattooing in the past 5 years related to hair loss. Interviews were transcribed and inductive thematic analysis was performed. Appearance concerns, loss of self-confidence/identity, and the practicalities of daily upkeep were cited as reasons for seeking a semi-permanent solution. Trust in the practitioner and the ongoing costs of tattoo maintenance were important considerations in participants' decision-making process and their overall satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Participants felt the emotional impact of hair loss and the subsequent need for appearancerestoring treatment remains unrecognised. This study provides insight into participants' perceptions of an under-researched and unregulated but widely accessible treatment. Implications for the decision-making process are discussed, and suggestions for health professionals are offered.

Establishing the financial burden of alopecia areata and its predictors

“…5 Other, more emerging aesthetic methods such as medical tattooing to camouflage hair loss through pigment ("microblading"), tattoo ink or permanent make-up to restore the look of eyebrows are also growing in popularity. 6 While promising treatments may be on the horizon for AA, [7][8][9] the efficacy of current treatments is limited. 10 Along with the disparity in treatment options between hospitals and long NHS dermatology waiting times, this means people with AA resort to private dermatology services and alternative remedies such as nonprescribed shampoos.…”

“…However, wigs vary greatly in their quality, with higher quality often incurring higher costs in the United Kingdom (UK) where sporadic wig provision exists across National Health Service (NHS) localities 5 . Other, more emerging aesthetic methods such as medical tattooing to camouflage hair loss through pigment (“microblading”), tattoo ink or permanent make‐up to restore the look of eyebrows are also growing in popularity 6 …”

“…5 Other, more emerging aesthetic methods such as medical tattooing to camouflage hair loss through pigment (“microblading”), tattoo ink or permanent make‐up to restore the look of eyebrows are also growing in popularity. 6 …”

Men’s experiences of alopecia areata: A qualitative study

“…Qualitative explorations can deepen our understanding about individuals’ lived experience of AA beyond outcome measures alone, helpful in informing specialised psychosocial support for the population (Davey et al, 2019). Themes common across the qualitative literature describe changes to identity marked by shock and despair, attachment to hair, perceived loss of attractiveness, restricted engagement in social, occupational and romantic life, concealment as a primary coping strategy, and an overall narrative of a struggle towards self-acceptance and personal growth (with some perceiving the journey to personal growth as ultimately fulfilling; Aldhouse et al, 2020; Davey et al, 2019; Hunt and McHale, 2005; Jankovic et al, 2016; Montgomery et al, 2017; Stock et al, 2021; Welsh and Guy, 2009). However, most of this research has, by design or otherwise, either exclusively or predominantly focused on women with AA.…”