Scalp Micro-pigmentation (SMP)
What is it? Our Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) service is a life changing non-surgical treatment, with guaranteed results, for anyone suffering from hair loss. SMP gives the appearance of shaved hair in people with baldness and can also make thinning hair appear thicker, by tattooing the scalp with individual dots, giving the appearance of hair follicles. The treatment can help anyone with baldness or thinning hair regain their confidence by giving the look of a full head of hair. SMP is a guaranteed alternative to a hair transplant and can also be used alongside a transplant to help give the hair a denser appearance afterwards. Let's take a look at how SMP can help...
Pattern hair loss (Alopecia)
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This is the most common form of hair loss. It can happen due to a number of reasons including age, genetics, stress and nutritional deficiencies but is most commonly caused by hormones, called Androgens, which play a large roll in our development during puberty. Changes in hormone levels over time causes the hair follicles on the head to shrink, resulting in hair loss. Scalp micro-pigmentation uses carbon pigment to give the look of hair follicles in the areas of hair loss. Giving the look of a full head of hair.
Receding Hairlines
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Everyone's hairline naturally recedes with age, it's normal, but some people's hairlines will recede more than others over time. This can be the early sign of pattern hair loss, but not always. A receding hairline can make you look older than you are and result in a loss of confidence. SMP can help to reverse this by reconstructing your hairline and even improving what was originally there, giving a more youthful look. The same technique can also be used to on facial hair, see Beard Micropigmentation.
Thinning hair​
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As hair thins it results in the scalp becoming more visible through longer hair. A Scalp pigmentation technique, known as density building, can be used to give the look of hair follicles under longer hair to make your hair look thicker, by fooling the eye into thinking there is more hair in the areas where hair has fallen out. Whilst it is a 2D texture of hair follicles on the scalp, to others it appears as the roots of longer hair, giving the look of a thick full head of hair. Also see Female Scalp Micropigmentation.
Scar Camoflague​
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Hair doesn't naturally grow in scar tissue as there are no hair follicles in the tissue for hair to grow. Scar tissue on the scalp may have been caused by an accident, surgery or can be a result of a hair transplant. SMP is used to hide scars by tattooing individual dots over the surface of the scar tissue, blending into the existing hair around the area to significantly reduce the visibility of the scaring.
So how does SMP work?
Scalp micropigmentation is the process of tattooing the scalp with individual dots, using a specifically designed 3 point needle, replacing hair follicles which have been lost, to give the appearance of a full head of hair. Permanent carbon black ink is used, which is diluted according to your skin tone and hair colour. Unlike traditional tattooing, which penetrates the skin or epidermis by over 2mm, SMP only goes between 0.5mm and 1.5mm deep into the dermal layer of the skin. The deeper into the skin the ink is placed the more the ink will spread, so, with SMP, the ink is placed shallower in the dermal layer to give sharp individual dots that look like hair follicles and to prevent the dots blurring or discolouring over time. Let's take a look at a typical treatment plan...
Consultation
To start your journey with us , we will invite you to a free consultation, either in person, at our clinic, or through video chat via phone. In this consultation we will discuss the treatment process with you. We will also discuss why you are looking to have Scalp micro-pigmentation, your expectations for the treatment and whether it is the right treatment for you. Once we have clarified if SMP will work for you we will look at the areas you wish to be looked at and we will suggest the best plan of treatment and how much the treatment will cost. If you are happy to proceed we will take a deposit for the treatment and book you in for your first session and all follow up sessions.
First session​
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In your first treatment session we will go over the process of Scalp micropigmentation so that you feel comfortable you know what is happening at all times. We will then map out the areas which are going to be treated and design your new hairline, if this is one of the areas in your treatment plan. Our SMP treatment is designed to give a natural hairline using the appropriate pigment tone for your skin tone. Once we have mapped all areas, we will show you in the mirror to make sure you are 100% happy. Once everything is mapped out we will mix up to correct pigment shade for your natural skin tone and begin the process. By the end of your first session, you will have the first layer of pigment finished.
Following up sessions​
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We leave a week between the first and second sessions, this allows the first layer to heal. You will notice in the week following the first session the dots will fade slightly, this is normal. Over the course of your treatment plan you will have several sessions to build up the layering of the dot texture to give the look of dense hair follicles. Most people will have 3 sessions, lasting 2 - 4 hours each, to get to the desired level of density. However, if an extra session is needed, we will do it. We want you to be completely happy with the results.
Final Session​
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You will have a 2 week healing period between the second and third sessions and any further sessions, if required. The final session, usually the fourth, is to assess the overall look of your Scalp micro pigmentation treatment, after it has had time to heal, and to do any touch ups if required. Following the final appointment we offer one additional free top up session within the first 6 months, should you feel you need it.
