Scalp tattoos have been popular among primitive cultures for thousands of years. However, it’s only been a decade or so since the practice or a variation thereof has truly caught on as yet another alternative for men who are fighting a losing battle against Hair loss.

The scalp tattoo — now branded scalp micropigmentation — is a viable alternative for those who’ve had little or no luck with potions and lotions as well as those who refuse to entertain the idea of a hair replacement and all the maintenance that goes with one.

If you’re not yet familiar with this Procedure or would like to know a little more about it, we’ve pulled together the answers to some frequently asked questions about scalp micropigmentation, or SMP for short.

What Exactly Is the Goal of SMP?

An ideal solution for men who have lost all or almost all of their hair, SMP involves the injection of hundreds of tiny dots of pigment beneath the outermost layers of skin. This creates the illusion of stubble, giving you the look of an extreme buzz-cut all over your scalp. Closer examination will reveal that the apparent stubble is just an illusion and that your scalp lacks the texture one might expect with stubble. If the idea that your secret will soon become apparent to anyone with whom you’re intimate bothers you, SMP is probably not for you. It’s best to think of SMP as a cosmetic procedure that produces a look that you are comfortable with.

Is SMP the Same as a Scalp or Hair Tattoo?

Well, not exactly. While a tattoo artist’s ink ordinarily goes deeper — through five layers of skin — than SMP, both procedures do involve the injection and deposit of ink beneath the outermost layers of skin. In SMP, the ink or pigment goes only two layers deep into the epidermis. While some traditional tattoo artists may offer to give you a scalp tattoo using their standard tattooing techniques, most SMP practitioners advise strongly against this.

As we’ve already noted, SMP differs from normal tattooing procedures in the depth to which the pigment is injected. In SMP, the pigment is usually selected to match your previous hair color and skin tone, and unlike traditional tattooing, the color used in your SMP procedure can be expected to look the same 10 years or more after the procedure. Regular tattoo colors tend to change somewhat over time.

What Sort of Needles Are Used?

The needles used by hair replication specialists are thinner than those used in regular tattooing. Although thinner and thus able to inject tiny dots of pigment that create the illusion of hair stubble, the needles are not perfectly round. According to a 2012 presentation by telejournalist Elisabeth Leamy on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America, “Hair follicles, when magnified, are actually jagged, irregular. Ideally the needle used to mark your scalp will mimic that.”

Is the Procedure Painful?

Because the needles used in SMP procedures are smaller and penetrate less of the epidermis than a traditional tattoo would do, the hair replication process is less painful than a regular tattoo. However, because the technician doing your procedure must inject literally hundreds of dots of pigment, the procedure can be a bit uncomfortable for those with a low threshold for pain. Topical and injectable anesthetics can numb the area and lessen your discomfort level. However, the vast majority of men undergoing the procedure just grit their teeth and bear it.

Will My New Hairline Look Normal?

You and your hair replication specialist will together decide on the placement of your hairline. Too low a hairline is likely to look unrealistic. It’s probably best to go with a relatively conservative and more realistic hairline to start. If after evaluating the look you’re left with, you decide you’d like to bring it a bit lower, that can be done. It’s always easier to start with less and then add a bit more if it seems appropriate.

How Do I Shop for the Best Technician?

As with any procedure that’s going to alter your appearance for many years to come, you should shop around before selecting the SMP technician who will do the work on you. In an article posted at LinkedIn.com, Mark A. Weston, owner of Artistry Concepts, a Florida-based scalp pigmentation studio, suggests that you interview prospective technicians to ensure you get the one best qualified to do your procedure. “This procedure should be viewed as a cosmetic art form,” writes Weston. “This is your appearance, you deserve to request the most experienced and skilled technician available.”

Making a selection based solely on a technician’s training resume is not enough, according to Weston. He points out that 10 individuals enrolled in the same art course are all “taught the same art principles and techniques by the same instructor for the same length of time.” However, some of the 10 will outshine the others in their post-training accomplishments simply because “some have it and some don’t.” As an SMP consumer, you should interview prospective technicians, look at photos of their work, and ask relevant questions before you pick the one who’s right for you
.
Can SMP Be Used in Conjunction with Other Hair Replacement Methods?

Telejournalist Leamy notes that some advocates of SMP like the procedure because it can be used to camouflage the scars left by failed hair transplant operations. She notes that it also works well for men who have worn hairpieces. They can simply get rid of the hairpiece without ever really admitting that they wore one at all. “Ideally, it will just look like a guy has chosen to buzz off his hair.” Leamy also points out that some men and women who are experiencing thinning of their hair in discrete patches can have the underlying scalp injected with pigment to make the areas of thinning less conspicuous.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?

Each SMP session typically lasts between two and three hours, and you will probably require two or three such sessions to complete the micropigmentation of your scalp. Although the pigments used in SMP may fade somewhat over time, touch-up sessions can restore pigments to their original color. However, fading can be minimized by limiting exposure to the sun. It’s probably best to wear a hat or, at the very least, cover the scalp area with a high-SPF sunscreen.

How Much Does the Procedure Cost?

The typical cost for scalp micropigmentation ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 for a full-head treatment. RealSelf.com puts the average cost in the United States at $5,400. Prices vary depending on your geographic location and the complexity of the procedure you will require. For example, covering up scars from failed transplantation operations can increase the cost of an SMP procedure.

If you’d like to read more about hair loss solutions and treatments or other topics of interest to health consumers, check out our blog.

Photo credit: shabash23