SMP is short form for Scalp Micro Pigmentation. It is a medical grade technique of depositing pigment (color) into the upper dermal layer of the skin on the scalp. This technique allows the replication of hair follicles in the scalp, which gives the appearance of having a “buzz cut” or recently shaved head. SMP hair follicles can range from hundreds to thousands of pigmented dots per square inch. The SMP method gives the appearance of having a full head of hair, rather than having a receding hair line, thinning hair line, the classic horse shoe balding pattern, or being semi or permanently bald. The SMP method color matches the pigment to be used with your skin complexion, thus, this treatment works for clients with pale to dark skin tones. Whether you have red hair, blond hair or grey hair, the SMP method at The Scalp Micropigmentation Center will benefit you. Get back your confidence and Be Bold, Not Bald!
Other names for Scalp Micropigmentation by other industry professionals include: Scalp Tattoo, Hair Tattoo, Scalp Pigmentation, Head Tattoo, Medical Hairline Restoration and Hair Follicle Simulation. Although the names may differ, the treatment process is relatively the same.
We highly recommend that you go to a reputable Scalp Micropigmentation Clinic who show you their certificates and real pictures and videos of actual clients the SMP Artist has worked on. Unfortunately, there are Scalp Micropigmentation clinics in the GTA that are claiming years of experience, however, their pictures and videos and website content has been stolen from other reputable clinics around the world.
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenter or click here.
Absolutely! By placing the correct amount of pigment and “dots” per square inch and color matching the pigment to your skin tone, the results are a realistic, full head of hair. The result looks like a freshly shaved head of hair, or a buzz cut. As well, having a SMP Hair Density treatment will add fullness and density to thinning hair.
It is important and imperative that you attend a reputable clinic and speak to the SMP artist that will be doing your treatment in order to ensure that the SMP artist has the required knowledge and experience to get the results you are looking for. Be wary of companies where you are not speaking directly to your SMP Artist and only having a consultation with a sales representative. You also want to be wary of companies that claim they have years of experience, however, only have generic pictures to show you. At The Scalp Micropigmentation Center, or SMC, you can clearly see our SMP Artist at work in pictures and videos and we have actual client references to whom you can speak to.
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Yes! By color matching the pigment to your skin tone, we are able to cover most scars with real looking hair. The results, of course, depend on the amount of scar tissue formed, age of scar, location, etc. Consultations are always free, and we encourage you to come in and speak to us about your concerns, and we will better be able to advise you on the results we expect to see after the treatment.
Scalp Micropigmentation is a great adjunct treatment for scars on the scalp caused by injury, medical procedures, or hair transplants. Scalp Tattoo and Hair Tattoo can be used to camouflage these scars into your natural hairline to greatly reduce or eliminate the appearance of the scar.
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Depending on your age, immune system, metabolism, etc, an SMP treatment can last anywhere between 1-3 years before ever needing a touch up. We, nor ANY provider, can guarantee how long the SMP treatment will last because everyBODY is different and no one can estimate how long the pigmented dots will last before needing a touch up. However, with proper aftercare (i.e. applying sunscreen, etc.), SMP will last many, many years.
Why does the treatment only last 1-3 years?
Because of the placement of the pigment in the epidermal/dermal layer within the scalp of the skin, the pigment naturally fades over time as part of the body’s natural exfoliation process. As well, pigment is a foreign substance in the body, and thus your body works to remove it. Sun, metabolism, diseases, chemicals, etc, all work to fade the pigment faster, thus, taking care of the pigment will make the pigment last longer.
As well, our pigment only contains 5 products: Water, Carbon, Glycerin, Witch Hazel and Alcohol. Our product contains no metals, and thus no chance of our ink/pigment changing colours, morphing, migrating, bleeding, etc. Other SMP providers use browns and other pigments with Iron Oxide metals in the product which make the the treatment last longer, but may change colour, morph or cause other unwanted side effects.
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at:
http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Of course! Women can experience thinning hair, baldness or bald spots, and alopecia. As with men, we are able to tattoo the scalp to camouflage thinning hair and hair loss, or if your hair loss is permanent, we are able to give you the buzz cut look – which is becoming very popular in today’s world.
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Depending on the clinical degree of baldness, based on the Norwood Classification of Alopecia, the SMP procedure can take between 4 and 5 hours. The human head contains approximately 2000 hair follicles per square inch of scalp. Each SMP follicle must be placed by hand, so you can see that the procedure time directly depends on how much work needs to be done.
At The Scalp Micropigmentation Center (SMC), we offer 3 treatments, as it is impossible to complete a perfect SMP Treatment in only one session. Companies that claim they complete your treatment in one day are usually low quality clinics that are using this as a marketing tool as inevitably you will need to return for a touch up or correction within weeks as 20-30% of the pigmented microdots will not take on the first try because of dry skin, inflammation and swelling, differing depth, etc.
Most SMP treatments require 3 sessions of 1-4 hours, again depending on the degree of baldness, you may need less or you may need more. Your first treatment requires the application of pigment to the scalp. The second treatment, usually 7-14 days after the first treatment, allows us to touch up any spots and to continue to add density to the scalp. Your third treatment, which is 4-6 weeks after your second treatment, this allows us to ensure that you are happy with the results and to do a final touch up and continue to add density to the scalp, if needed. Some providers swear they can get you the perfect look in just one treatment at the same cost as Scalp Micropigmentation Center’s three treatments…please be very wary about such claims as it is almost impossible to achieve the right look, right density, right shape, right pigment, etc, all in one treatment. Also, if you are going to spend the same amount of money, wouldn’t you want to have 2 extra treatments, if necessary, just in case?
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Yes. Although we’ve never had to remove any SMP procedures to date, the SMP procedure is reversible. By using a tattoo removal laser, the pigment in the scalp can be removed. Common Tattoo and Tattoo ink is placed directly into the mid to lower dermis and is much harder, longer and more painful to remove. SMP is placed in the epidermis and upper dermis, thus making it much easier to remove. Also, because SMP doesn’t use much color (yellows, greens, etc), most or all of the pigment will be removed.
SMP treatment costs depend on how much work needs to be done and the area being treated based on the Norwood Classification of Alopecia. Treatments can range between $2500and $6000. Each treatment includes Consultation, Three Treatments, and 12 Months Guarantee. Again, if your treatment lasts you 12 months, most likely it will last you years before ever needing a touch up.
The benefits of having an Scalp Micropigmentation Treatments include:
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at: http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
SMP can help regain your confidence and self-esteem for any type of balding, the most common being:
Crown Balding
Receding Hairline
Semi or Complete Baldness
Alopecia
Thinning Hair for Men and Women
Bald Spots
To view real client before and after pictures as well as videos, please visit us at http://www.instagram.com/scalpmicropigmentationcenteror click here.
Although pain management and your comfort is our ultimate goal during the treatment, most Men and Women rate the treatment between 1-3 on a pain scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst pain ever! We use the most powerful topical anesthetic possible to increase your comfort, and decrease the amount of pain involved in the procedure. Many clients at The Scalp Micropigmentation Center have fallen asleep during the procedure.
Yes. You are welcome to purchase an over the counter topical anesthetic (i.e. Emla) and place a good amount over the area to be treated 1-2 hours prior to your treatment. We will also apply our topical anesthetic, which will help control your pain level and make the treatment much more comfortable. Please seek proper medical advice should you choose to self-medicate with over the counter or prescription medication, and advise our office of what you are taking prior to your treatment. We will go over all information during your first consultation and prior to your first treatment.
Clients report sensitivity on the scalp; however, any pain subsides minutes after your treatment has ended. Usually by the time we discuss your after care, and the client is ready to leave the office, there is no pain. You can expect to feel scalp sensitivity or tenderness, swelling, and redness after the treatment, however, these side effects resolve on their own completely.
Although we thoroughly discuss aftercare with each and every client, we will give you a summary here so that you know what to expect in regards to days and weeks after your SMP Treatment.
Aftercare is just as important, if not more important, than the actual treatment for long lasting results. For the first few days after your treatment, we ask that you rest your scalp and avoid: sweating, no use of any scrubs or abrasives on the scalp, no shampooing or washing of the scalp, no running or exercising, etc. Regular office work activities, shopping, and other light activities are perfectly fine. By day 4 post treatment, most clients can resume regular activities. Again, your aftercare will be discussed in detail post treatment.
The following list are contraindications to having an SMP treatment:
The Scalp Micropigmentation Center or SMC, for short, does not perform SMP treatments on clients with the above noted conditions because of the possible risk of infection and/or chances of not achieving the most optimal results.
*** Always consult with your family physician before having a scalp micropigmentation treatment ***
