Need some advice on macro photography.

[Booshanky]

My boss wants to take pictures of the results of this new suture closing technique that he's doing where hair is able to grow through the scar. The kit lens on his digital rebel isnt quite good enough for the job, so i reccomended a good macro lens.

Unfortunately i'm not sure what would be good enough for the job. I'm thinking a 50mm with a ring flash? What would be good to get detailed shots of hair growing through skin?

What sort of lens and flash would you reccomend? I'd like to keep it cheap while still doing a good job.

[Rumjungle]

How close will you be to your subject? Also, what kind of magnification do you need?

[Booshanky]

How close will you be to your subject? Also, what kind of magnification do you need?

Basically i'll be taking a picture of the back of a person head. So the distance from the subject isnt anything to worry about. I just want to be able to get a really detailed shot of hair growing through skin. Not sure what sort of magnification that is exactly.

[Rumjungle]

You don't necessarily need a ring flash for this, but I'd go with a 1:1 macro lens. Here are some popular ones:

canon 100mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=194451&is=USA&addedTroughType=search)
sigma 105mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=341918&is=USA&addedTroughType=search)
sigma 150mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=352422&is=USA&addedTroughType=search)
tamron 90mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=330641&is=USA&addedTroughType=search)

I don't know what fits your budget, but for the money, the Sigma 105 is hard to beat. However, there's a rebate for the Canon 100 right now and its going price is within $50 of the Sigma.