Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

Man looking at thinning hair in the mirror

What does it treat?

  • Hair loss
  • Thinning hair
  • Scarring

Who is a great candidate?

  • suitable for any kind of hair loss
  • recommended for both men and women

What is it?

Also referred to as “a hair tattoo,” scalp micropigmentation (or SMP) cloaks the appearance of thinning hair by mimicking the appearance of naturally-occurring hair. This is done with specialized micro-needles which deposit natural, hypoallergenic ink into the top layers of the scalp’s skin. Here at Barr Aesthetics, we utilize only metal-free, non-permanent ink, as some inks which contain metal can adopt hues of blue or green over time. After about 3 years, many patients need recare and touch-ups in order to maintain the effects.

We use a highly refined method of cosmetic pigmentation assisted by an intelligent computer controlled device to carefully place custom made natural pigments imitating the color, placement, and density of your naturally-occurring hair to grant the appearance of a thicker, lusher head of hair.

Man receiving hair restoration SMP procedure

What can I expect from the procedure?

Here at Barr Aesthetics, your SMP procedure is carefully planned from beginning to end to give you optimal results. As such, each session can take a couple hours. A total of about 3 sessions is usually required to achieve the pigmentation desired. These sessions should be spaced 10-20 days apart. Once all three sessions are completed, results last about 3 years. Touch-up recare appointments can help you to modify and maintain your SMP results into the future.

Before the procedure, we recommend that patients cut or shave hair to their desired length. This allows us to give you the results you want with a hairstyle you plan to maintain for the next couple years. During your first session, we’ll spend some time outlining our plan–marking the hairline, and matching the pigmentation coloring to give you a natural appearance.

Discomfort during the procedure is minimal. However, if desired, we can alleviate any discomfort using local anesthetics and mild relaxants in order to make the session go more smoothly.

When can I go back to work?

Scalp micropigmentation procedures require little to no recovery time afterwards. Most patients go straight back to work the very next day. Some patients might experience slight discomfort or swelling after their sessions. However, any issues usually disperse within a day or so. We advise that patients avoid activities that may cause them to sweat for about 5 days after the procedure. Each patient in our office will be given specific instructions for preparing for the procedure, what to expect during it, and best practices for aftercare. If you have any questions at all about scalp micropigmentation, give us a call today.