Does Scalp Micropigmentation Look Natural?

Does scalp micropigmentation look natural?

This question is probably the number one question that my clients care about. Naturally, it makes sense. The whole point of any sort of hair loss solution is to solve the problem of hair loss with a natural-looking solution.

Scalp micropigmentation or SMP does look very natural if…

your SMP is done by a good practitioner and if it’s done correctly.

You need to go to somebody who knows their stuff and has real experience doing this form of cosmetic tattoo.

SMP is:

very precise
painstaking

Scalp micropigmentation pigment

Scalp micropigmentation uses a specific pigment and specific machine.

A skilled practitioner will use different color pigments diluted to different variations of tone to match your skin. They will also add layers to the hair follicle replication tattoo every appointment. You really want to make sure that whoever you’re going to has a grasp of this concept.

If they don’t, the result you’re going to end with is not going to be realistic.

If your practitioner:

uses the wrong pigment,
or uses traditional tattoo ink,
or if they don’t match your skin tone,

You’re going to get an unnatural looking result.

And that is much worse than not having it at all.

Scalp micropigmentation technique

The reason SMP looks natural is because of the specific tattoo process. This process achieves the desired realistic result. If your practitioner applies scalp micropigmentation outside of the very detailed parameters of the procedure, it’s not going to look natural.

SMP is 2 to 3 treatments over the course of almost a month. It’s very important that there’s healing time between procedures. This will allow the pigment to settle.

If you look at your hair follicles now, they’re not all the same size. There is a slight variation in both the darkness of how they look and also the dispersion. So, the pattern, the shade, and also the size of them all is factored into how the desired end result looks. It also determines how realistic it is. The more variation in tone and size will lend to a more realistic, natural look. Once again, it takes somebody who knows what they’re doing to do it in such a way that it looks realistic.

If you’re not sure how to tell if the practitioner you are looking at is good, keep reading on or contact me. I’ll be happy to do a consult or find a practitioner in your area.

Bottom line: You want to make sure that you are going to someone who knows what they’re doing. I can’t stress enough how important that is to get a natural-looking outcome.

I talk more about the difference in technique between SMP and traditional tattoo in: Does Scalp Micropigmentation Hurt? You’ll learn more about the difference between shading and lines in traditional tattoo vs. the precise hair follicle replication tattoo needed for SMP.

There are 3 ways to find a good scalp micropigmentation practitioner.

1. Finding a practitioner that specializes in scalp micropigmentation

You need to find a practitioner who is trained, skilled, and does this for a living.

I can’t do a traditional tattoo. In that same way, a traditional tattoo artist cannot do what I do. It’s very specific.

It takes a very specific set of skills and techniques. It also uses a completely different type of pigment than a traditional tattoo. While they are both tattoo forms, they don’t have any crossover.

So, you need to find somebody who specializes in scalp micropigmentation.

2. Your SMP practitioner needs a tattoo license

The second thing is making sure that that person has a tattoo license. Now, scalp micropigmentation is regulated like a traditional tattoo.

Licensing is huge. The reason I say this is is that if your practitioner is licensed, then at least they are following the law. They’ve done their bloodborne pathogens. They understand sanitary procedures. They’re also abiding by the rules of the state, county, province that they live in.

This is really important!

It’s not that hard to get a license. If someone hasn’t made that effort, then you shouldn’t trust them. Especially, with something as important as your scalp.

If someone “specializes” in scalp micropigmentation, but they are not a registered tattoo artist, then you shouldn’t be going to them. They didn’t follow out the laid out channels for making sure that they’re operating within the law. And so, you can’t assume that they’re going to know what they’re doing.

3. Look at their before and after photos

The third thing is you should look at their before and after photos. Take a look at some of our before and after photos as examples.

You found a practitioner you’re considering? Great!

Now, you need to look at their photos and see how their results look. That’s going to be key to see if they know how to work with your skin type, with your hair type, and with your level of hair loss.

See if the person has been working with people who share your skin tone. There is something to be said for people who specialize in certain skin tones. Some people are more skilled with Fitzpatrick 1 and 2’s. Which would be really pale people and redheads.

Then some people are better at specializing in darker skin tones. It does need a little bit of a different skillset and experience.

It’s important to look for those markers when you’re trying to find a practitioner.

All these things are basic criteria for assessing whether someone is a good fit for you. You also need to see if you mesh with a practitioner.

You want to make sure that:

they listen to you,
they hear your concerns,
they help you to plan a hair loss solution.

My process before your first appointment

My goal is to give you recommendations to best optimize the look you already have. I do this by listening to your hair loss concerns and providing a unique hair loss plan. So, whatever’s lower maintenance, whatever’s easier to achieve with their type of hair loss, all these things are going to be factored into the look.

You need to find somebody who is able to address all these facets of your concerns. Also, they need to get to know what your face looks like, how your hair grows, and also your level of hair loss.

A good example of this is if your hair loss is localized to the top of your head. I do highly recommend when someone comes in with that, that they go ahead and buzz the sides. Although it’s not always what people want to do. The reason is because it’s going to look much more realistic. The thing is, I only know that because I’m an experienced practitioner. I’ve been through this with many clients.

If someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, they’re just going to tattoo your scalp. They will not lay out a look and hair loss plan that works for you.

That is not what you want! That’s not going to get you a realistic outcome.

The service is much more nuanced than that and there’s a lot more to it. There’s hairstyle tactics. There are different methods for trying to regrow your hair alongside scalp micropigmentation. A skilled practitioner can form a complete and realistic hair loss solution. But, these things only come when you pick the correct practitioner. That’s very important.

Final note: make sure to have a consultation before your appointment. I always do consultations at my studio. It’s important for people to be able to ask these questions and screen and weigh their options.

All these things are elements of a complete, natural SMP look. And they are all equally important.

So, when you’re looking to get scalp micropigmentation, take these things into account. Once you’ve met your practitioner, make sure that they are willing to tailor a look for you. Make sure that they lay out a hair loss plan for you because SMP is very personal.

So, armed with these three things let that help you on your journey. Ask those questions and find which practitioner is right for you.

If you find the right practitioner your SMP will look real, natural, and amazing.

Fill out the contact form below, if you want to get in touch with me. I’d love to show you what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!