SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION (SMP)
SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION: WHAT IS IT?
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is very similar to traditional tattooing practices. However, it’s far more advanced and requires much more attention to detail to ensure the cosmetic pigmentation treatment is handled correctly and to the client’s overall needs. Although SMP yields similar results to that of a tattoo because of the process of injecting pigment, the whole process uses advanced equipment to ensure it’s detailed and can handle various treatments when it comes to scalp requirements. SMP is very reliable and guaranteed to produce the results as desired by the client.
The SMP treatment required will determine how many sessions will be needed to achieve the desired results. However, treatment generally takes 2-3 sessions and the overall step-by-step process is outlined below.
1.Your first point of call would be to arrange a consultation with us so we can better understand your requirements. Such consultations can be undertaken in-person, and will give you a better chance to understand the processes involved and if SMP treatment is right for you. Once we’ve agreed on a style and you’re happy with what you’ve heard, we’ll then create a plan and tell you what needs to be done to achieve your targets.
2. The first session of treatment takes place. During this session, we’ll undertake the basics and ensure your scalp has the perfect foundation to build your new look on. Most patients experience a red scalp after their first session, but this is nothing to worry about and within a day, your scalp will go back to normal.
3. Once the first session is complete and your scalp has a good foundation to work with, we’ll then apply a second treatment which will allow us to go a shade darker, which leads to more detailing to ensure you finish with the look you desire. During this session, we’ll also ask how it looks and if there are any questions or concerns you’d like to get off your chest.
4. For those looking to request a darker shade, we’ll conduct a third session. This only happens if the client isn’t completely happy with the final shade from the second session.
HOW DOES SMP WORK?
SMP is an advanced tattooing process and it isn’t just a case of injecting ink to match that of a drawing. Here we’ll match your hair colour as closely as possible, which includes plenty of detailing. Typically, we go a shade darker than your natural hair colour just so we can create a foundation that’s slightly darker and gives off that three-dimensional look, which is especially important to get your desired results.
It’s crucial we get the natural look when it comes to the hairline, as that’s what you’ll notice first when you look in the mirror. During this application we always approach it in a gentle manner with lots of precision to get it looking perfect.
All our clients’ consultations are different as they all have different foundations to begin work with and everyone wants a different result at the end, which is why we’ll always listen to your requirements to ensure that, when it comes to the treatment stage, we approach it with your needs in mind.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?
We offer several styles and options for you to choose from during your consultation, and we’ll work together to make sure you end up with the desired results.
SOFT HAIRLINE
For those clients that have a receding hairline and are looking to replenish it as closely as possible, we offer the soft hairline service. This service includes following the existing hairline but lowering it to the extent that the hairline still looks just as natural and full as it did when you first noticed you were receding. This is still one of the most effective available thanks to the natural look it provides.
ADDING DENSITY TO THINNING HAIR
Thinning hair is a problem for both men and women today, which is why we provide a hair thinning service which adds density for a fuller looking head of hair. Scalp micropigmentation is one of the most effective services for hair thinning clients and they are all over the moon with their results.
EDGE UP
The “Edge Up” is one of the most popular treatments that we provide to our clients, and that’s for good reason. This is the procedure that many clients prefer because it gives them a full, natural looking head full of hair again. Although this procedure strictly concentrates on the receding hairline, it can create the illusion that a person has a good head of hair again. This treatment is very delicate and specialised, which is why we spend a lot of time getting the foundation to work from right. We take into account the match of colour very seriously, and try to lower a hairline so that it looks original and natural.
SMP FOR WOMEN
Although it’s not as common for women as it is for men to experience hair loss, it still happens a lot. This is why we provide SMP treatment for women, so they can feel alive and confident again. With added colour to the scalp area, women can go away looking like they have a full head of hair again. Liana Nunes specialises in this exact treatment. By creating an underlying colour foundation, women can go back looking like they’ve not even had any treatment done.
FOR HAIR TRANSPLANT PATIENTS
Those who have undergone hair transplant surgery in the past may have succumbed to scarring, and that’s not a great look for those looking to have a full head of hair again. We specialise in working with hair transplant patients who are looking to cover up their scars and have a head of hair that looks real and natural.
COVER SCARRING
Unless you’re one of the very few lucky ones, it doesn’t matter about your gender, age or genetics – anyone can succumb to the loss of hair or thinning in the scalp area. Such people look towards hair transplant procedures to try and put things right, but end up with additional problems such as scarring. This is where our cover scarring SMP services come in. We have helped thousands of individuals who have been faced with hair thinning to not only give them the cosmetic appearance of having a full head of hair again, but to cover scars to help with this problem.
We can tackle some of the most obvious scarring in cobblestone scars, FUE, and FUT strip scars – there is no type of scar we haven’t had to deal with in the past and that hasn’t come out with excellent results.
Most hair transplant services aren’t as effective as the SMP treatment we provide, but we can always help those victims who are looking for more value for their money, guaranteed results, and less time on the operating table.
Before & After
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION
People choose SMP for multiple reasons. Firstly, it’s inexpensive when compared to other cosmetic hair filling services. Secondly, you can undertake treatment and go straight back to work the next day. However, probably one of the main reasons why it’s a popular service is simply because the results are outstanding. Clients leave feeling excellent and no-one ever notices they have undergone treatment to solve their hair issues.
There are numerous reasons why you may want to consider Scalp Micropigmentation as your solution to treat your hair loss crisis. We have been in partnership with thousands of clients since we first opened our doors, and they’ll all tell you how happy they were with the service and why they were glad they picked SMP over the other many services out there. Scalp Micropigmentation is reliable and affordable, and it isn’t going to take much time out of your daily life to undertake treatment.
WHAT DOES IT COST
The overall cost of Scalp Micropigmentation can vary a lot depending on the service you require and the results you want to achieve. The pricing can also vary depending on your circumstances. Have a look below at some of the ways we work out our pricing structure.
Area of Treatment
This is one of the biggest factors that comes into play to determine a price. The area of treatment can vary massively depending on your current circumstances. For example, if you have thinning hair or complete baldness, the area that will need to be treated will be significantly larger than someone who just wants an edge up.
Type of Skin
Another factor that will need to be considered is the current state of the skin where the area needs to be treated. If you have dry/sensitive skin, we’ll need to find ways to treat you without making the condition of your skin worse.
Scarring
Scarring is one of the most troublesome issues when it comes to various SMP treatments, as there are many different types of scars to deal with. Some scars can be hidden easily with normal treatment. However, thicker scars that stick out further are harder and more time-consuming to cover.
Hair Style
Your desired outcome and the current hair style we have to work with will also play a part in the pricing structure. We need to come up with the perfect colour and the right follicles to target to ensure your hair looks fresher and as natural as it did ten years ago.
If you’re looking for a quote for any of the above services, it’s best to contact me directly at liananunesbeauty@gmail.com so I can give you a more precise consultation in regards to the results you require.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE COST OF YOUR SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION:
The cost of the individual procedure varies based on the size and area of the treatment area, your type of skin, if you have scarring, and how dense your original hair is.
TREATMENT AREA
Of course, one of the biggest factors that dictates the price of micropigmentation will be the cumulative size of the treatment area determined by the size of the head and the extent of the hair loss.
The majority of our clients suffer from male pattern baldness, the severity of which is determined by The Norwood scale. MPB cannot be prevented and generally follows the stages below.
If you are in the earlier stages of balding treatment will be less costly than addressing the larger treatment areas associated with the later stages of MPB.
- Stage I: Baseline—no hair loss.
- Stage II: The hairline begins to thin typically in an “m” shaped pattern at the temples.
- Stage III: The “m” pattern first seen in the previous stage deepens. Often, hair at the crown of the head begins to thin during this time as well. This is the first stage hair loss can be technically considered “baldness.”
- Stage IV: Hair recedes more dramatically at the sides in this stage, often leaving a triangular island of hair at the front of the head. The bald spot in the back of the head is more noticeable. However, there is generally a full bridge of hair that separates the two distinct areas of hair loss.
- Stage V: The two main regions of hair loss in the front and back are still distinct, but the band that separates them starts to thin.
- Stage VI: The two main areas of hair loss unite in this stage. Hair continues to recede around the sides of the head.
- Stage VII: In this stage, only the hair around the back and sides of the head remain, forming the classic “horseshoe” pattern.
Pricing for those suffering from other conditions that result in hair loss in the form of general thinning, patching, or complete baldness will be established in the same way—cumulative size of the treatment area determined by the size of the head and the extent of the hair loss.
SKIN TYPE
The vast majority of our clients have a skin type that falls into what we would consider a normal range. However, there are a number of different skin types and conditions that require special accommodations which may affect the price of your treatment plan.
- Excessively dry, flaky skin; older skin; severe acne; moles; damaged skin; or highly sensitive skin may necessitate extra time and care.
- Extremely thick skin might also require extra treatment time; the thicker the skin, the more pressure is needed in order for the needles to penetrate through to the deeper layers. Thinner skin requires less pressure on the pen, which allows for a quicker hand motion and shortens the overall treatment time.
New skin may also affect the procedure. Let us know if you’ve recently received a hair transplant. Sometimes collagen forms at the site of the new grafts, which makes the skin very soft and act like a sponge when the pigment is injected in that area. Micropigmentation and hair transplant procedures can be a very effective combination, but just be sure to consult with your technician to discuss time and technique to achieve optimal results.
SCARRING
The presence of scarring may also require special time and consideration. Since hair does not grow over scar tissue, and micropigmentation is meant to mimic natural hair stubble, other accommodations must be made.
For lighter scars, using a specific technique with our normal micropigmentation treatment will usually be enough to hide the blemish. For more pronounced scarring, our technicians might recommend scar treatment before proceeding with micropigmentation, or we might recommend pre-treatment with our revolutionary camouflage ink system.
Camouflage process “fades” the scar by first blending the discoloration into the surrounding skin before moving forward with our standard micropigmentation procedure to give the appearance of natural hair growth, as if the scar was never even there.
HAIR DENSITY AND STYLE
Even with a full head of hair, the natural density of one’s hair can vary greatly from person to person. Blondes, for example, have an average of 150,000 individual hair follicles, while redheads may have as few as 90,000. For the most natural look, we take into account the fullness and distribution of your natural hair. However, if you’re not happy with the natural distribution of your hair, talk to your technician about using micropigmentation to fill out the appearance of your existing hair.
The style you choose will also determine the density of the treatment and the time required to accomplish the look. A “wet shave” look is a very light treatment option, while a classic fade needs extra density in places which means extra treatment time.