SCALP 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.)