SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION
Men and Women
The modern solution for hair restoration for men and women
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Hair loss affects how you feel about your outer appearance and can put a hinder on your self confidence. If you are experiencing slight hair thinning, a type of pattern baldness, Alopecia or have scars on the scalp or bearded area, Scalp Micropigmentation is a beneficial option.
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The enhancement consists of the ability to mimic hair follicles or hair fibers. Specific pigments are implanted into the area. The technique gives the illusion that follicles are present.
Less messing around with temporary fixes such as messy hair fiber dust that can leave your scalp feeling sicky and dirty.
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The SMP technique allows you to put it all in the past and walk in confidence again, permanently.
YOUR CONSULTATION
YOUR CONSULTATION
A complimentary consultation is the time we take to meet one another and understand your objective for the service. We will go through waiver/medical forms, discuss color and desired shaping and the process for the service.
The appointment is 30 min in duration. This appointment can be done over the phone or by video call if that is more convenient for you.
If you prefer over the phone or a video call for your consultation, after booking online, please send us a Text message at 587 - 400 - 0011 or reply to your appointment confirmation.
A client waiver form must be signed prior to receiving service. All services may be a multiple step process.
YOUR TREATMENT
YOUR TREATMENT
All our services are performed in a private setting. We use sterile microprobes along with our professional grade micro pigmentation machine. The probes used, penetrate into the second layer of the skin ( dermis layer ) depositing the cosmetic pigments chosen. Our medical grade topical anesthetic will keep you comfortable. The process normally takes about 2 - 3 hours but it varies from person to person depending on your individual requirements and service technique performed.
Immediately after your treatment you should expect the area to look 50% darker than the color you chosen in consultation. This will start to fade after 7-10 days.
Scalp micropigmentation is a multi session treatment.
YOUR RETOUCH
YOUR RETOUCH
After your initial session , 1-2 more sessions may be required to achieve the desired result, 2-6 weeks apart.
These are the retouches. This will depend on the area on scalp and technique.
As the area is healing, some parts may not “hold” as well as others and during this time we can look at the area and add what we need, building the concentration of follicles suited to your hair pattern to make the area look more realistic.
It is required to always return for your retouch (s) so we can complete your treatment and create the best results.
YOUR REFRESH
YOUR REFRESH
The average time frame for a REFRESH for the SMP is 1 - 5 years. Every individual is unique therefore the timeframe to freshen up the treated area varies. It is important to note that if you would like to keep your SMP always looking its best it is advisable to know that your will need a overtime. Pricing will vary .
PRE & POST CARE
PRE & POST CARE
Pre-Care: Before SMP Treatment
1-2 Weeks Before Treatment: Avoid Sun Exposure
- Minimize sun exposure to your scalp in the weeks leading up to the SMP treatment.
48 Hours Before Treatment: No Alcohol or Blood Thinners
- Refrain from consuming alcohol and blood-thinning medications 48 hours before your SMP session to reduce the risk of bleeding.
24-48 Hours Before Treatment: Shave Your Head
- Shave your head 24-48 hours before the scheduled treatment as instructed by your practitioner.
Day of Treatment: Clean Hair and Scalp
- Wash your hair and scalp thoroughly on the day of the treatment to ensure cleanliness.
Post-Care: After SMP Treatment
Day 1-3: Keep it Dry
- Avoid getting your scalp wet during the initial days post-SMP. Skip showers and activities that induce excessive sweating.
Day 4-7: Gentle Cleaning
- Use a mild, fragrance-free shampoo to clean your scalp gently. Pat dry after washing; avoid rubbing.
Day 8-30: Avoid Sun Exposure
- Protect your scalp from direct sunlight using a hat or recommended sunscreen, especially for outdoor activities.
Day 31-Onwards: No Scratching or Picking
- Resist the urge to scratch or pick at your scalp. This can disrupt the healing process and affect the final result.
Day 1-30: Avoid Swimming Pools and Saunas
- Stay away from chlorinated water, saunas, and steam rooms during the initial healing phase.
Day 1-Onwards: Moisturize as Advised
- Follow the aftercare instructions regarding moisturizers provided by your SMP practitioner for optimal healing.
Day 1-14: Limit Physical Activity
- Avoid strenuous exercises and activities that induce heavy sweating for the first two weeks to prevent irritation.
Day 1-Onwards: Avoid Harsh Hair Products
- Use mild, non-irritating hair products during the healing process. Avoid those containing alcohol or harsh chemicals.
Scheduled Follow-ups: Attend Follow-up Appointments
- Schedule and attend any recommended follow-up appointments with your SMP practitioner to ensure proper healing and address concerns.
Patience is Key: Allow Time for Healing
- Results may take a few weeks to fully manifest. Be patient and follow the aftercare guidelines diligently for the best outcome.
Some things to keep in mind before having an SMP procedure
- Wash your scalp with a non-abrasive, gentle shampoo the day of your procedure. DO NOT place any gels, hairspray, powders, or fibers on your scalp the day of your treatment.
- After washing the scalp, moisturize the skin with some form of skin moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Doing so will allow the ink to be properly absorbed.
- Refrain from sun tanning to avoid burning and peeling of the skin.
- You can bring your phone or iPod to listen to music during the treatment. Phone calls are not allowed during the procedure. There will be breaks every 60 to 90 minutes of the procedure.
- Scalp preparation – Please do not use a razor on your scalp on the day of the treatment. Shave or cut your hair 48 hours before your scheduled procedure. It is critical that we see all native hair to be able to properly blend the hair follicles. Any redness, breakouts, or infection on the scalp will lead to your appointment being cancelled and rescheduled.
Pre-treatment:
One of the biggest issues after any hair restoration treatment is not knowing what you can do to make sure that you are taking the best care of the area. If you have had an SMP treatment and you are not sure what you should be doing to care for it afterwards, the information below will help.
Will this Help with fading?
Yes, these instructions will help with fading. However, you need to know that fading is common and expected. These guidelines will only help prolong your best result for as long as possible.
It is the best practice to shave your head before your treatment. These are the reasons why:
- It will reduce the shock loss.
- It is better to see any and all imperfections that will need to be covered with the treatment.
- If you suffer from dry skin, you will be able to treat the dry skin before the treatment begins.
- If you have a tan or a sunburn, you will be able to give your scalp time to even out the contrast in color.
The most important thing is moisturizing. You will get a better result if you do this at least 3-4 times a day for 2 to 3 days before your treatment. This will help give your dermillusionist a better canvas to work on without any dry spots to slow down the result.
After Each Session
It is important that you follow all the post-op instructions indicated. The after-care of your SMP treatment will ultimately lead to a better result for you.
- Do not wash your head for 3 days following the treatment.
- Take a break from the gym, saunas, beaches, or other places where you might sweat.
- On Day 4, you can use water to wash your scalp and start to moisturize.
- A gentle facial cleanser is recommended for cleaning the scalp after a week.
- Sunbathing, exfoliating, or heavy sweating should be avoided for roughly 1 month after the final treatment.
You can return to all regular activities after 1-month post-treatment.
SMP AFTERCARE
It is important that you keep your aftercare as simple as possible. There is no need to complicate the process. If you follow the basic guidelines, you can rest assured that our SMP specialist will give you a result that you will love. Here are a few basic long-term guidelines to help you maintain your scalp micro-pigmentation results:
- Make sure that you wear the proper sun protection every time you are in the sun, particularly for the scalp, so that you can protect the pigmentation.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Avoid any cosmetics or other hair care products that contain a high value of alcohol.
- Use exfoliating cleanser as well as moisturize each day
FAQ
FAQ
Is it permanent?
Yes, this is a permanent procedure similar to a tattoo.
Is it a tattoo?
Yes and no. While Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) is permanent and similar to a tattoo, it is a different technique that utilizes different needles and a specialized ink. The result mimics a closely shaved head of hair or for women the replication of hair follicles to allude to hair present.
Are you guys tattooists?
No, we are certified micropigmentation specialists who specialize in cosmetic and medical micropigmentation treatments. All tools, pigments and experience is quite different from a tattooist who specializes in body art that is created to be obvious.
Is it safe?
Yes. We use sterile one-time-use only pre-packaged needles. Medical grade topical Anesthesia is used for your comfort and performed in a clinical setting with Doctors and Nurses on site.
Does it hurt?
It feels like tiny needles poking constantly on your scalp or similar to tweezing hairs. A medical grade topical anesthetic is applied to the area for your comfort.
What if I want to grow out my hair?
Depending on your balding pattern this may be possible. Consultation between a prospective patient and an experienced hair restoration doctor before undergoing SMP is invaluable.
What if I am not bald, but I want to make my hair look fuller using a concealer?
SMP is used to decrease the contrast between your scalp color and hair color, giving an illusion of fullness. You can think of SMP as a “permanent” cosmetic concealer. Unlike topical concealers, you will not have to worry if your scalp is showing from the uneven application of concealers, fibres or powders. SMP does not put a stain on your clothing, pillow, or your hands.
What if my hair turns gray?
Believe it or not, the stubble from white hair (and most colors of hair) is GRAY when you shave close to the skin. Just look at blond men with a close shave and you will see the gray shade where the hair exits the scalp. We try to match the shade of pigment based on your skin and hair color. If you have dark hair now and it turns gray later on in life, the underlying shade will blend despite the hair color change, because SMP covers the entire scalp (not just the bald areas).
If I continue to bald after doing the procedure, will it look natural?
Yes. We always treat conservatively and overtime, planning for the worst case balding or hair thinning scenario or the possibility that some day you may decide to have a hair transplant or another type of hair loss procedure in the future.
What if it fades?
The SMP process requires two to three treatments at least 3 to 4 days apart to get the color shade just right. Each individual absorbs some pigment at different rates. Your finished SMP before needing a touch up, but everyone is different.
What if I want a hair transplant later on?
You can always have a hair transplant on top of the SMP process. You can opt for FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) in combination with SMP giving the patient the look of a shaven scalp and with actual hair stubble.
Can I ease into the decision to have this done?
Yes. We perform test areas (about 1cm square area) in scars so that the person gets comfortable with the way it looks, and we have done test areas where the balding scalp meets the side hair. This approach has been very helpful to the person who is “undecided” whether to do SMP or not. Ultimately you need to be comfortable with your decision.
Does it look real?
Yes. SMP gives you the look of a permanent 5 o’clock shadow. SMP blends in with the genetically resistant-to-balding hair around the sides of your head. Although there is no such thing as perfection but the technique and artistry used will blend to what was normally obvious, thinning or a balding on the scalp.
Don’t tattoos or pigment dots just look like a big blob over time?
Traditional tattoos may discolor, but this is highly dependent on the type of ink used, the depth the pigment was placed into the scalp, and the amount of sun exposure you get. The key to minimizing this effect is to use a specialty ink like we do and either wear a hat when in the sun or use a good sun blocker (with a high SPF factor). SMP dots will lose definition over time, but unlike regular tattoos, the ‘blob’ look is greatly minimized due to the special technique and the instruments used.
Don’t tattoos or pigment look green or blue?
There is always a potential change in the color of pigment over time. The pigment used for SMP is chosen to match the color and tone of shaved hair underneath one’s skin. Despite variations in hair color, most patients have a grayish (and greenish) tint after the hair is shaved from the dark roots of the hair showing through the layers of the dermis and epidermis. Much like how blood vessels appear green under the skin, the increased absorption of the red spectrum of light gives rise to this phenomenon explained by the trichromatic theory of color vision (i.e. if you absorb red you will perceive green). The light propagation through human tissue has also been modeled to show the greater decrease of red spectrum remission. In short, there is NO TRUE perception of black when the pigment is deposited beneath the skin. The greater depth of pigment deposit, the greater the potential change in color perception.
Can you make a soft natural hairline?
Most clients want a soft and natural fading frontal hairline, while others prefer a more distinct and linear look. We advise and work with our clients individually to obtain the look they want.
What will I look like immediately after SMP is done?
Immediately after the procedure, your scalp will look slightly pink, somewhat similar to a sunburn. This pink color will fade out over the course of 24 to 48 hours. This is more pronounced in patients with a light skin color. You will appear to have a full head of hair that has a closely shaved look. The pigment may also appear more pronounced until you wash your scalp and remove the excess pigment three days later. Depending on each patient and the type of skin, the pigment may fade as it settles in. This is the reason why you may need more touch-ups, so that the shade and color is just right. Although we recommend at least 3 to 4 days between SMP applications, you can wait weeks or months depending on your schedule and geographic location.
I am a woman with thinning hair. Can SMP help me appear to have thicker hair?
Yes, we have performed SMP on women, but we are cautious when it comes to women because we want to know the cause of the hair loss or hair thinning. With men, 99% have hair loss or hair thinning from genetic causes in a typical balding pattern (MPB), but women may have balding due to many medical conditions and we would want your family physician to provide diagnoses prior to receiving SMP. We want to be sure that we do not perform this process on women who have potentially reversible baldness from hormonal causes, thyroid, or autoimmune
( our consultations can be done via online, email, phone and of course in person.)