CASE STUDY A:

An African American man in his early thirties went to a permanent cosmetics provider for SMP.  He was unhappy with the result, and felt that the hairline was too defined, too dark, and looked unnatural.  Further, discoloration started to appear after about one month. 

He considers laser removal, but decides, instead, to pursue treatment offered by a “deracination” provider who appears legit–it’s endorsed by an “experienced SMP expert”.  He is offered a free treatment if he will be a “model” for a training.  After all, this company will be passing through town to offer their one-day $1500 certification to a group of SMP providers in his area before traveling to the next town.

He receives his painful treatment while being observed by these newly-anointed “SMP Removal Specialists”.  During the next few days, he experiences scabbing and discomfort, despite applying his stick-on “scar prevention” patches.  

After one week, he can clearly see that his treated areas are hypopigmented and scarred, and that his SMP is not noticeably lighter.  Although the treatment claims that it is suitable for all skin tones, he is upset to see that the hypopigmentation resulting from “deracination” has left him with lighter discoloration across his scalp, particularly in his hairline.  

He feels extremely concerned and is told by the “deracination” provider that he will need to come in for more treatments to keep lightening his pigment.  

He then calls BRAVI for help.  Unfortunately, we are now faced with much more serious damage than just pigmentation that can be safely removed.  It is unclear, as this certification cash cow is just getting rolling, how many extra treatments will be needed, or indeed, if the pigmentation can even be removed after this butchery.

Claim 1) “Laser Tattoo Removal Causes Scarring”

Reality: Laser treatments, performed correctly, do not leave any scarring.  Further, scarring from laser removal of SMP is virtually impossible without gross mistreatment, because SMP employs far less volume of pigment and far less depth than a tattoo.  This is an especially ridiculous claim coming from a treatment method that creates wounds, and then adds “stickers” as their safety net against scar tissue.

Claim 2) “Laser SMP Removal Causes Blistering”

Reality: Same answer–done properly, laser tattoo removal does not cause blistering, and again, this is even MORE TRUE for laser SMP removal, for the same reason as above; way less pigment and depth than tattoo. We have never had a single instance of blistering from laser SMP removal after thousands of treatments.

Our laser SMP correction clients experience zero discomfort post-treatment and significant aesthetic improvement to their results with each BRAVI laser treatment. Wouldn’t you rather have a safe, state-of-the-art treatment in a sterile clinic with medical oversight than a scalp covered in wounds packed with salt, clay, and stickers?

Claim 4) “Laser SMP Removal Causes Hyper/Hypo Pigmentation”

Reality: Again, unless the laser is used incorrectly, it does not cause either hyper- or hypopigmentation. It is definitely possible to misuse a laser, but at BRAVI, we’ve perfected our laser safety and treatment protocols, completely eliminating this risk for all skin tones.

Conversely, we’ve received photos and requests for help from “deracination” clients who have disfiguring hypopigmentation after only ONE treatment:
FACT: When the body heals from a wound, it lays down scar tissue as a survival mechanism. During scar tissue formation, melanin production is disturbed. Melanin is the component of skin responsible for it’s coloration. This is why scars typically contrast surrounding skin in coloration.

“Deracination”, not laser SMP removal, is almost certain to create hyper- and hypopigmentation.