Baldhog, intriguing that you say that the tattoo lasts roughly five years? When you had the treatment done, was there any sort of guarantee on how long it would last?
That time limit is good to know though, particularly in terms of as we age, because I think having a perfect hairline at 60 with a shaved head style would appear really unrealistic. I think if I had this treatment done, at that point I'd let it go, lol, because this is really more of a young man's game in terms of looking good.
Yeah you're right about looking good being a young man's game- my dad's in his late 60s and he doesn't care one twit what he looks like. Wears sweat pants outside, flip flops and socks, doesn't comb his hair- it's awesome! (I do know there are plenty of older gents who do look dapper and still care, but my old man's not one of them)
Anyway they've been doing this treatment for 10 years, so they have a certain amount of track record to go off of. They said everyone's scalp and immune system is different, so everyone holds the pigment for a different amount of time. They said most people experience some fading by year 3-5, so a touch up would be needed.
What they've also begun to do is laser off pigments to reflect age or personal choice. For instance ChgoBuzzBald mentioned he met the owner who's hairline was way too low for a guy his age. The owner has since raised his 'hairline' by lasering off the pigments in the front, giving himself a more natural and age appropriate look.
And to answer SlyFive, touch-up treatments are much cheaper than the initial treatment. Once you've had your initial treatment, subsequent ones within that first year are free. Any sessions after that- 3 yrs later, 5yrs, whatever, you're charged an hourly rate. Still not cheap, but not thousands of dollars either.
Btw that's a sweet lion tat on dude's head.