What is Scalp Micopigmentation Treatment?

Scalp Micopigmentation Treatment (SMP) is a permanent cosmetic procedure for men and women to dye your scalp to hide:

• hair transplant scars
• receding hairlines
• thinning hair
• male/female pattern baldness
• alopecia

The treatment gives the appearance of real hair follicles so it looks like you’ve shaved your head.It also adds density to thinning hair.

 

The Process Of Scalp Micropigmentation

SMP is usually split over three sessions to perfect a realistic and lasting look.

Although commonly known as a ‘hair tattoo’ the process is highly technical and needs skilled and trained technicians to apply it. Micro needles are used to carefully place dots of pigment in the dermal layer of the skin.

Before your treatment begins, you will meet with your practitioner to discuss your needs including the the colour of the pigment and where to apply it. Colour is built up with the lighter shades applied first followed by the darker ones.

During the early stages, patients might experience a mild discomfort but this this becomes easier to manage as sessions go on. Generally, it hurts less than a regular tattoo or hair transplant although you can choose to have an anaesthetic

There is no downtime or side effects from the treatment though there might be some reddening of the scalp for a couple of days afterwards. However, as the scalp heals, small scabs will appear and the pigment might look darker. But this disappears after time. Patients can usually return to work the next day.

Following treatment, for the first few days patients should avoid any activity that causes sweating and shouldn’t use shampoo or wash their heads. By about day four, men can use a foil razor providing they avoid any parts of the head that still has scabs. By day 10, it should be okay to use a bladed razor.

The first session can last between 2-3 hours while follow up ones take less. There is usually ten days between sessions. Treatments last for about six years before the process needs to be reapplied.

Scalp Micopigmentation Treatment is for both men and women. The biggest difference is that while on men the goal is to copy the appearance of hair follicles, for women the aim is to reduce the contrast between the scalp and hair. SMP works best for women with darker hair and is not recommended for blondes.

The Benefits of Scalp Micropigmentation

There are several other treatments for hair loss but SMP is the newest and has several advantages over these.

Minoxidil is not very effective for advanced hair loss and is more useful for men under 30. Women must be careful to use the weaker form of the treatment as it can can increase the risk of low pressure and hypertension.

Finasteride is available only to men and only on prescription. You have to keep taking it for it to work but the side effects are severe including an increased risk in getting prostate cancer as well as a reduced sexual drive.

Hair transplants are very expensive and some patients have irritation of their scalps after surgery. It also only works if you have enough hair on your head to transplant.

In summary, SMP is effective at treating hair loss and baldness.