What You Should Know About
Scalp Micropigmentation

What is scalp micropigmentation?

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a revolutionary new process designed to mask baldness by introducing a layer of pigmentation into the epidermis of the scalp. This results in the appearance of a full set of hair, covering the appearance of pattern baldness (patches of hairless skin) or complete baldness.

SMP is designed to mask hair loss but is also an option for plenty of other conditions such as alopecia and lupus; or even surgery scars and head trauma.

The technique has many names such as micro-scalp pigmentation, MSP, hair tattooing, and hair follicle replication. However, all of them refer to the same essential procedure.

While SMP is typically performed on male patients, there are plenty of female recipients too. 40% of all alopecia sufferers are female but when compared to men, female hair loss sufferers are far less likely to seek solutions.

The process dates back to the 1980s and 1990s when medical tattooists began experimenting with scar concealment and hairline reconstruction but the first SMP operation, as we know it today, was performed in 2003.

Since then, scalp micropigmentation has quickly grown in popularity with over 300,000 people having had the procedure performed and it’s unsurprising when considering the other options available. Hair transplants often produce scars and wigs are simply outdated. SMP is non-invasive, non-surgical and can produce results in just three hours.

The process of Scalp micropigmentation

There is no formal qualification or requirement to perform SMP so it is important to perform due diligence when looking for a practitioner. Inquire about their background, training, qualifications, and ask to see a portfolio of their work. You could also reach out to former clients and ask them what the procedure was like.

Remember to take a shower before the treatment as you won’t be able to get your scalp wet for 4-5 days afterwards.

Each session lasts approximately three hours and a few of them may be necessary depending on your personal requirements. The technique itself is similar to microblading, which is used to produce a fuller effect in eyebrows, only SMP is applied to the scalp. The process is performed using an electric tattoo device, inserting thousands of pigment deposits into the epidermis of the scalp. The pigment of the ink used for SMP is colour-blended to match the recipient’s hair and skin, whereas ink used for traditional tattoos results in blue and green undertones. For the vast majority, the procedure is entirely painless, but those with very sensitive scalps may experience some slight discomfort.

Once the pigments have been deposited, a time period of approximately one week should be put aside to let the skin rest and heal. During this time, the skin will be repaired and the pigments are absorbed into the epidermis.

Avoid exposing the scalp to the sun for the first four days after the treatment. You can expose the scalp to up to one hour of sunlight on the fifth day after treatment.

As the scalp is healing, thousands of scabs form over the procedural area. This is entirely normal but can be unnerving as they are larger than most people expect. As the scabs fall off, a large proportion of the pigment is taken with them, leaving behind a lighter dot. This fading effect can disappoint some clients but with repeated sessions, an expert technician will be able to add more pigment and build up density to produce a look closer to the one that their clients originally had in mind.

The cost of the treatment can vary and is dependent to a large extent on the customer’s individual requirements such as the amount of hair loss, scarring, and density. However, the typical cost is between $400-$1000.

How long will the treatment last?

Pigments could, in theory, last for more than twenty years. However, every recipient will experience pigment fade to one degree or another so most have touch-up sessions every 3-5 years which add some fresh pigment to the scalp.

Proper maintenance of the scalp can reduce the necessity of touch-up sessions. The best advice is to take precautions in the sun, moisturise daily, and avoid products that contain alcohol, such as minoxidil lotion.

The benefits of scalp micropigmentation

SMP represents a non-invasive alternative to other forms of treatment that can effectively conceal hair loss, receding hairlines and other forms of baldness. It is incredibly normal for the treatment to remain undetected by untrained eyes, meaning that you can rest easy about being discovered - though obviously if you have an entirely bald scalp you are more susceptible to questions about sudden hair regrowth.

The vast majority of female and male clients are never discovered and because the procedure is rapidly becoming more widespread, there is a reduced stigma attached to SMP.

Another benefit of SMP is that it is also a reversible procedure. For any number of reasons, you may want to reverse the effects, so it can be reassuring to know that the procedure is not permanent. The pigments are incredibly easy to remove with laser technology as they are only superficially deposited into the epidermis - unlike tattoo ink which is deposited far deeper into the skin.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of SMP is that it can help restore self-esteem. It’s a well-known fact that when we look our best, we feel our best too. Whether you’re going bald, suffering from a condition, dealing with the after-effects of head trauma, or healing from chemotherapy - SMP can help restore comfort in your appearance, improve self-esteem and get you back to yourself again.