FAQs

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses tiny deposits of pigment to replicate the look of natural hair follicles. Each deposit is placed individually to mimic the appearance of hair at the follicle level, rather than shading the scalp as a single block of colour. SMP is commonly used to: - Create the appearance of a fuller head of closely shaved hair - Define or rebuild a natural-looking hairline - Add the illusion of density in thinning areas - Camouflage scars from surgery, injury, or previous hair transplants

SMP works well for a wide range of hair loss and thinning concerns, in both men and women. This includes male and female pattern hair loss, receding or thinning hairlines, diffuse thinning across the scalp, alopecia, and scarring from surgery or injury. The treatment can fully replicate the look of closely shaved hair, or applied more subtly to add density and blend with your existing hair — the pattern, pigment, and technique are tailored to your specific goals, whether that's a defined hairline or simply a fuller-looking head of hair. For women in particular, SMP is often used to add the appearance of density in areas of thinning or a widening parting, rather than to replicate a fully shaved look — the pattern and pigment are adjusted to blend with your existing hair rather than sit as a standalone hairline. SMP suits most skin tones and hair colours, since pigment is custom-matched to each client. Everyone's scalp and hair loss pattern is different, though, so a consultation is the first step — it's where we confirm SMP is the right fit for you and map out the results you can expect.

For many people, SMP is the simpler, lower-risk route to a fuller-looking head of hair. Unlike a hair transplant, it doesn't involve moving or growing hair — it's a non-surgical pigmentation technique, with none of the recovery time, cost, or uncertainty that comes with surgery. Here's how it stacks up: - No surgery, no surgical risk — no infection, scarring, bleeding, or graft failure to worry about - No recovery time — walk in, walk out, no downtime - No ongoing medication — transplants often need long-term meds to protect surrounding hair; SMP doesn't - Results that don't shift over time — a transplant can be affected by hair loss continuing elsewhere; SMP is designed around your scalp as it is - Lower cost, immediate results — no months-long wait to see the outcome For a lot of clients, that combination — no surgery, no medication, no waiting — is exactly why SMP is the more straightforward choice. And for those who've already had a transplant, SMP is also commonly used afterwards to camouflage scarring or add density where results have thinned.

Not really. SMP uses specialised pigments and a different needle technique to traditional tattooing — the pigment is deposited much more shallowly, in the upper layers of the dermis, rather than driven deep into the skin the way tattoo ink is. That shallower depth is what makes SMP possible in the first place: it's designed to replicate the sharp, fine look of an individual hair follicle rather than solid, shaded ink. It also means SMP avoids the risk of "blowout" — where deep tattoo ink spreads into the tissue beneath the skin over time, blurring lines and edges in a way that can't be undone. Because SMP pigment stays shallow and fades gradually rather than shifting or spreading, it can be refreshed and redefined at each touch-up — something that's much harder to do with a tattoo that's blurred or spread with time.

Yes. SMP is designed to be undetectable as anything other than real, closely shaved hair or natural density — and getting there comes down to how the pigment is planned and applied for you specifically. Before any treatment starts, your hairline shape, skin tone, and desired look are mapped out at consultation, so the pattern is built around your face and goals rather than a generic template. During treatment, every dot is placed individually and varied in size and direction, the way real hair follicles naturally grow, rather than filled in as one flat, even pattern.

The treatment is semi-permanent, typically lasting 4 to 6 years before a touch-up is needed. Because the pigment sits in the upper layers of the dermis rather than deeper skin layers (unlike traditional tattoo ink), it fades gradually over time rather than disappearing all at once or shifting in colour. How long your results last depends on a few individual factors: - Skin type – oilier skin can cause pigment to break down slightly faster - Sun exposure – regular, unprotected exposure to UV rays can accelerate fading - Lifestyle – exfoliation habits, swimming (chlorine), and skincare routine all play a role - Aftercare – following aftercare guidance in the first few weeks helps the pigment settle properly A touch-up session simply refreshes the density and tone of the pigment — it's a normal, expected part of maintaining SMP long-term.