Yes! When we’re talking about hair I think this is really important to distinguish. You can tattoo realistic hair follicles, but you cannot tattoo realistic hair. So I do have folks that come in if I can tattoo their hair to match a longer hairstyle. I really only get this question when someone has a little bit longer hair and usually they have their growth here and they’re thinning here and they just want me to tattoo the top of their head to match the sides. However, that is not an achievable result. That’s basically the only thing that scalp micropigmentation can’t do.
It’s basically a top-down rule.
What I mean by that is the top of your head needs to have more hair than the sides if you want to maintain a longer hairstyle and this is really only true for men in a certain thinning category. For everybody else, scalp micropigmentation is really really flexible. But the one thing that scalp micropigmentation cannot do is recreate longer looking hair.
What would it look like if you tattoo longer looking hair?
What it will look like is that you had stubble on the top of your head, very realistic, but it would be strange if someone were to shave only this part of their head and leave the sides long. That would look strange in a regular haircut so it looks strange in scalp micropigmentation as well. So you can tattoo realistic hair follicles but you can’t tattoo realistic hair.
How about scalp microblading?
One way people have been trying to do this is with scalp microblading. This is something that you should avoid at all costs.You will have to get it removed, it will look bad and you will be unhappy with it.
There is not a single person who has had scalp microblading done that is happy with it for more than a week.
It fundamentally does not work as a technique and then if the application method for it is not correct, it’s never going to look right and if it doesn’t look real, it’s going to look bad.
That’s the reason that scalp micropigmentation is so valuable. Because scalp micropigmentation looks real. It is very hard to distinguish a scalp micropigmentation hair follicle from a real hair follicle and that’s why it looks so good but if you try to tattoo a little bit longer lines if you try to do anything that’s not a dot, it’s not going to look realistic.
Conclusion
So the answer to this question is, yes you can tattoo realistic hair follicles but no you cannot tattoo realistic hair and the reason is, hair is 3D, follicles are not and that’s why you’re were able to replicate hair follicles for someone who’s willing to shave their head or you’re able to use follicles as a density treatment to increase the thickness and the relative darkness of someone’s hair.
You can use it to reduce the contrast between their scalp and their hair if it’s thinning all over which is called diffused thinning or you can use it to rebuild their hairline. But you cannot use it to recreate the look of hair, it cannot be used to create lines to make it look like you have on top of your head when you don’t. You can use it to make it look like you have hair follicles or for longer hair, you can use it to make that area look thicker and so to disguise any thinning with long hair. But it cannot be used to tattoo hair.
Nobody can tattoo hair on your head. They can tattoo hair follicles. It’s a really important distinction and I think whether or not this sounds like a good fit for you is going to determine or not you’re happy with the result as well.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
Scalp micropigmentation has one of the fastest healing times compared to other hair loss solutions. You’ll be fully healed in 4-7 days!
Scalp micropigmentation takes about 7 days in between appointments to heal. So to explain this, I kinda need to explain how scalp micropigmentation procedures work. There are usually 2 to 3 sessions, each session is 7 days. So, a total of 21 days for most people. But scalp micropigmentation takes about 7 days to heal and settle in between procedures. Now the reason for this is because scalp micropigmentation is done in layers. So each layer is gonna be done with a slightly different color and a slightly different needle than the other. So the reason that we do these layered procedures is to get everything to heal in a very and realistic way.
How do you care for your SMP during this 7-day healing period?
In this 7 day period, you need to stay out of the sun, stop working out really hard for the first four days because you don’t wanna sweat too much, and then avoid places where there may be water that can contain bacteria. So like pools, oceans, lakes, saunas, things like that and in between these sessions what’s gonna happen is your scalp is going to heal over and protect these tiny hair follicle replication tattoos that we created. So, scalp micropigmentation, from beginning to end for a normal procedure is going to take about 21 to 30 days to heal completely.
So let’s say there’s a little bit of a delay, from your first appointment and your second appointment, you have about a 20-day window. 7 days in, you’re gonna be healed enough that you can resume normal activities. Most men can even go back to shaving their heads with a foil shaver within 7 days. It’s a very fast healing process. So, as far as SMP heals in the short term, 7 days you’re usually back to normal, good to go, and then for the total healing time of the procedure, it’s gonna be about 21 to 30 days if you have your appointments consecutively.
Is healing time different from recovery time?
So my clients hear that healing time is 7 days, they tend to be a little bit shocked because they think they have to take off work during that time. Healing time is different from recovery time so you actually don’t have to take any time off of work at all during your entire procedure. Because healing time is actually just what your scalp needs to protect the work that was done.
Your recovery time for scalp micropigmentation is 0, you don’t have to take any time off of work.
There are people who have come in and had procedures and gone right back to work, gone on a date but either way, you walk right on on the street and most people won’t know that you have anything done. So recovery for scalp micropigmentation is 0, you will be completely fine to go about your daily routine aside from working out really heavily or being in a sun directly for a few days. Everything else about it is completely normal, there’s no need to take off of work, there’s no need to postpone daily events. The only thing that you have to do is to follow different aftercare instructions just to maintain and help your scalp heal quickly during those first 4 to 7 days.
Don’t be afraid of SMP because you’re worried about healing time.
This is really important to differentiate that once again that healing time and recovery are different. So the time that you’re healing won’t be noticeable to anyone but you and it only dictates what you have to do in order to help your scalp heal more quickly. But recovery time is zero, no one will notice that you had scalp micropigmentation. There’s zero recovery time, you can walk right outside and go about your daily business. But the healing is a slight tweak in your daily routine in order to care for your procedure after you had it done. The same way you’ll care for a tattoo or any other cosmetic service that you had done. But this one requires no downtime like other hair loss solutions and that’s the beauty of it.
Other hair loss solutions have a longer recovery time.
For other hair loss solutions, most notably hair transplants, you’re going to have to take off work in order to recover from these procedures. Because after they’re done, they don’t look how they’re going to look, that’s not the case with scalp micropigmentation. What you’ll wait for it is how it’s going to look, the only difference is a slight bit of redness that will go away within a couple of hours and that is one of the biggest benefits because it fits right into your life as opposed to making you postpone your life in order to get your hair loss addressed.
Is scalp micropigmentation a surgical procedure?
The other point that we’re noting here is that scalp micropigmentation is not surgical. Surgery is just something that seems to me rather extreme. If you can do something that’s not surgical why wouldn’t you try that first? Because most people are happier with SMP than they are with transplants. One, they’re not always successful and two there’s a lot of limitations on them and even if they are successful, sometimes they don’t look good as people imagined. There are different techniques now but that still leaves folks sometimes with really sparse hairlines which still have to be fixed by scalp micropigmentation so it’s worth weighing this option because for most people it’s a better first choice than a hair transplant and then they never have to go and get a hair transplant. Just a much more reasonable and convenient option and it’s very effective.
I do free consultations and love to share this with anyone who can help. Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you!
Now, I have a really interesting point here. The answer is actually no and then contrary to popular opinion, actually causing this controlled microinjuries to your skin and your scalp specifically can actually stimulate hair growth.
How does scalp micropigmentation work and how can it stimulate hair growth?
So scalp micropigmentation is the use of a tiny needle to make thousands of really controlled, tiny hair follicle replication implants with a needle. What happens once you do this is your scalp is motivated to heal your skin. When your scalp is motivated to heal your skin, you’re going to see an increase in collagen, and other healing factors in your skin, and when your skin begins to heal itself, it can actually help activate and stimulate hair follicles and blood flow to the area. So what happens actually after folks get scalp micropigmentation, sometimes, they see a regrowth of hair.
What is microneedling?
Now you may have heard of microneedling and this something that’s actually closed to scalp micropigmentation. So microneedling is actually the use of a very similar tool with a few more needles to go over the skin and cause controlled microinjury in order to get the skin to heal itself. The same principle is present in scalp micropigmentation. When you go in and cause these tiny little injuries, your skin tends to help itself and when it helps itself it can inadvertently regrow some of your hair.
So I actually feel like this kinda proves how effective scalp micropigmentation is and also it’s one of the best, most practical, and especially, non-surgical and non-drug options available…
Not only is it fixing the cosmetic aspect but from a holistic standpoint, it’s also helping with the health of your scalp and your hair follicles, and really I don’t think there’s a better solution than that.
So combining scalp micropigmentation with other forms of holistic hair loss treatment, you actually might see a much much better results than any other type of hair loss solution.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
Of course, you can wear a hat after scalp micropigmentation. So when people ask this question, sometimes I’m not sure what they mean because there are a few different ways to answer this question based on what I think they’re asking. So I’ll go ahead and answer the different facets of this question too so you have all of the information.
1. Can I wear a hat right after ascalp micropigmentation appointment?
The answer to that is yes. However, I know that a lot of hats are really dirty. People do not wash their hats and they’re full of bacteria and sweat and gunk and I know that for some people, it’s a point of pride that you don’t wash your hat for a certain amount of time.
That said, before you bring that hat in for your scalp micropigmentation appointment, throw it in the washer.
It’s full of germs and you don’t want them to get on your head right after you’ve had a tattoo. So go ahead and bring a clean hat for your first scalp micropigmentation appointment because it’s good to protect it from any type of UV exposure for the first 4 days after each appointment.
How long is the SMP Process?
There’s typically 3 and usually, they’re consecutive as a 21-day process but 1 appointment, 7 days, 2nd appointment, 7 days, 3rd appointment, 3 days and the first 4 days of each 7-day cycle is the one where strictly aftercare needs to be followed in order to get a good result. So yes, you can wear a hat right after your appointment, walking out the door, I do highly recommend it. I actually tell clients to bring them in with them when they come for the first appointment.
2. Can I wear a hat long-term after SMP?
So some people ask this because they’re worried about the hat rubbing in certain places and removing their scabs. Okay, so, this is a good point. Scalp micropigmentation, once it’s healed, it’s very difficult to do anything to damage it. That’s one of the best parts about it is that it’s really low-maintenance and hard to mess up once you’ve actually got it done and healed and that’s about 21-30 days after the initial appointment. So, once you’ve had scalp micropigmentation, actually, is really good to wear a hat to protect your SMP from the sun.
Because the sun is actually the biggest fader of scalp micropigmentation.
Now, I’m not recommending super gluing a hat to your head and constantly being worried about having one on your head. But, taking one with you when you’re gonna be out in the sun for long periods of time or you just live somewhere where the sun is really intense like here, in Honolulu, you’re gonna wanna have a hat with you sometimes just to throw on if you’re gonna be out in the sun for longer than you realize. It’s just gonna help extend the life of your scalp micropigmentation and you don’t have to do it but it is a good recommended thing to maintain your scalp micropigmentation long-term.
3. Do I still need to wear a hat to cover hair loss?
The answer to that is no. That is the best part of it. When you get scalp micropigmentation, it is going to look like your hair is thicker, fuller and you have a reconstructed hairline. So you no longer gonna have to wear a hat when you go out and it’s something you’re gonna have to get used to and that you’re going to have the option to not have to wear a hat constantly.
So that is really powerful and really great because now you don’t have to be constantly worried about where your hat is. While wearing a hat, in general, is a good practice for people ’cause it does protect your scalp and skin from sun damage. You no longer have to constantly wear a hat or have one around to cover hair loss because the point of scalp micropigmentation is to make it so that you don’t have to worry about that anymore and that’s what so great about it.
Quick tip: Make sure your hat isn’t too tight!
And as a quick little note, do make sure that your hat is not too tight. This is gonna sound strange but if you wear a hat too tight and there is a good amount of friction. Well, it won’t damage your SMP, it can actually damage your existing hair follicles and sometimes affect the ones around it. So, when you’re trying to encourage hair growth, make sure that your hat actually fits.
A good way to test this would be just that make sure you can fit 1 finger in comfortable in the band of your hat and that would be a good way and make sure you have room.
Conclusion
To summarize, you can wear a hat all you want if that’s part of your style. Basically, the answer is yes and no to all of these questions because it is up to you if you wear a hat frequently for protection from the sun measures or it’s part of your style. So it’s something that’s now an option for you instead of a requirement either way.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
Scalp micropigmentation while different from traditional in ways I’m about to explain, is absolutely a tattoo. I feel it’s very important when discussing this to let folks know, especially prospective clients who may be considering it that scalp micropigmentation is a tattoo. That’s part of the benefit of scalp micropigmentation itself. It is a tattoo so, it’s going to be something that you will be able to have in your skin for years. It’s very long-lasting and it ages very well. So that’s something that is one of the biggest benefits of scalp micropigmentation.
It’s not something that’s temporary that has to have continued use the way the other hair loss solutions do
So with a topic, you’re gonna have to be applying that every day with topical hair loss drugs like minoxidil or finasteride you’re going to have to be applying them every day and they do smells. That’s one of those negative side effects. The thing about a hair transplant is that you’re going to have to do a lot of maintenance. Usually, folks don’t get just one hair transplant. You have to get multiples and you have to do it in stages. It’s very expensive, there’s a lot of recovery time and it doesn’t have the benefits of being as low-maintenance as a tattoo-like scalp micropigmentation.
What are the differences between traditional tattoo and scalp micropigmentation?
Method of Application
So when we were doing scalp micropigmentation, you use a technique that is much more shallow and much more precise than a traditional tattoo. There is less needle contact and less pressure applied to the scalp in order to prevent something called blowout which is where the ink spread underneath the skin after application.
Tools
The second difference is the tools of the trade which is going to be a digital rotary machine that is different from a tattoo coil machine used by traditional artists. My machine has a different computerized system that controls the speed, needle depth, and level of vibration. And then the needle, so the needle a single-use cartridge specifically designed for a paramedical tattoo. It’s not the same as needles used by traditional tattoo artists because we are both trying to achieve different outcomes. One is to create a piece of art and one is to replicate something as closely as possible to the real thing.
Pigment
The third thing is going to be the pigment. So I use an iron-oxide based pigment, while some scalp micropigmentation practitioners use carbon-based ink, even then, diluted and applied in the same way that I mentioned which is going to be a different application technique with different tools than traditional artists use. All of these differences combined together don’t change the fact that scalp micropigmentation is in fact a tattoo. It’s going to heal very similar to a tattoo and it’s not going to create hair, it’s going to create a tattoo illusion of hair. So that is important to know in this case but yes, it’s a tattoo.
Fading
Another difference between tattoo and scalp micropigmentation is the way it fades. Due to different pigments and different applications, scalp micropigmentation fades much more naturally than a traditional tattoo. You’ve probably seen tattoos that oxidize over time and turn a little bit blue or a little bit green. With scalp micropigmentation, the application method and pigment mitigate this difference and it makes a huge impact.
SMP being a tattoo isn’t something that should scare you away
So for folks who didn’t know that scalp micropigmentation was a tattoo and just learned this after looking into it. It’s not something that should scare you away. A lot of clients when they come in for the first time for their consultation are very worried because they actually don’t have tattoos. The majority of my clients do not and so getting scalp micropigmentation is actually their first tattoo. That said, it wouldn’t be wise to get scalp micropigmentation and then believe you can go get a dire chest piece done. It’s not the same. It doesn’t hurt.
Does SMP hurt like a traditional tattoo?
Scalp micropigmentation is nowhere near as painful as a tattoo. In fact, scalp micropigmentation is not painful at all. Many people are surprised to hear this since the concept of a needle going into the skin and you would think that that would cause an amount of discomfort, but, that’s actually not the case. It’s so shallow and so repetitive that most people actually fall asleep within 5 to 20 minutes of their procedure and are out for the entire thing. So it’s very relaxing and it’s definitely nowhere near the level that any kind of traditional tattoo is, simply because of the technique. It’s very shallow and light and then there’s no pressure applied so needle contact is the main thing that causes the discomfort of traditional tattoo and that’s not present in scalp micropigmentation.
So if you don’t have any tattoos, don’t be put off by the fact that scalp micropigmentation is a tattoo. Because it’s not the same and it should not be something that scares you away from this as being a really good option for you specifically. It probably still is. The only thing that would make it a not good option for you would be skin conditions that would eliminate you from this procedure but the fact that it’s a tattoo itself should not be the factor that keeps you from getting scalp micropigmentation.
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!
SMP does not damage your hair follicles. Some people say that it might actually stimulate hair growth.
What is microinjury and how does it relate to SMP?
Scalp micropigmentation is actually a very close cousin to something that’s relatively new to the aesthetics field. It’s called microneedling. You might have heard of it before but the essential principle is something called controlled microinjury. People have discovered that when you cause controlled microinjury, so really tiny, either poke with the skin with needles, operation, or even chemical peels that the skin will actually regenerate itself, boosting collagen and blood flow to that area.
A side effect of microneedling is actually hair growth…
So what started happening is when folks have micropigmentation done, they realize that they do get a small amount of regrowth. Sometimes what happens is your hair follicle areas get damaged or the scar tissue and microneedling are really good at combating those things.
So scalp micropigmentation takes 3 weeks to do. There’s gonna be one appointment every seven days, minimum and what happens during these appointments is that while you are getting a hair tattoo with the scalp micropigmentation, it’s also causing controlled microinjury to your scalp and your scalp heals very quickly so within 7 days, your scalp is going to be healed and what’s happening is folks are seeing regrowth of their hair because blood flow is being brought to the area to heal and regenerate those areas and so actually, scalp micropigmentation is really good for hair regrowth.
It’s a surprising side effect of something that’s already a really effective, if not the most effective hair loss solution on the market. So that’s actually one of the really fun things I’m able to share with the client when they come in to have their scalp micropigmentation is that they may experience some baby hairs growing in areas where they didn’t have it before and that’s really cool.
But isn’t damaging the skin discourage hair growth?
I understand where this misconception comes from because you think if you’re causing injury to the skin they’re actually gonna discourage hair growth. Now, this would be true if you were doing SMP incorrectly as in you were oversaturating the skin, you were using a huge needle to do this, or shading the skin as you would in a traditional tattoo. But because of the precise and tiny nature of the needles used in SMP, the opposite is actually true.
Now, this is relatively a new phenomenon as well. This controlled microinjury is becoming widely adopted by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aestheticians as they look for new ways to heal the skin but all along, scalp micropigmentation practitioners have been doing the same thing. Now we just know what it’s called.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
How do I take care of scalp micropigmentation in Hawaii?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions that I get in my studio. You want to know the answer so you can take care of your scalp micropigmentation so it lasts for years and years!
Before we start, if you need to know more about scalp micropigmentation and what it is and who it’s for, check out our post: What is Scalp Micropigmentation?
Your aftercare for SMP, both short term and long term, is going to be different because we live in Hawaii.
The unique climate, sunny days, and humidity play a huge part in why it is different to take care of your SMP in Hawaii. Also, people tend to be more active here. So, this will all affect how you are going to care for your SMP after you get it done.
Scalp Micropigmentation Process
The scalp micropigmentation procedure process usually consists of 3 appointments.
After each appointment, there is a 7-day healing period.
So, if you were to receive your first appointment on the first of the month and the other two appointments 7 days after, you would heal by the 21st of the month.
To make this easy, let’s break this down into short term care and long term care.
Short Term Aftercare
Don’t Sweat
After each appointment, you are going to wait for at least 4 days before sweating excessively. So, that means:
No working out.
No going in saunas.
Don’t do anything that would cause you to sweat more than normal.
Now, sweat can’t damage healed scalp micropigmentation. But, it can damage the scabs that are going to form on these tiny tattoos while your scalp micropigmentation is healing.
It’s important to protect these scabs. If you pull them off prematurely, they can actually pull out the pigment. Which is shallow and delicate when it’s healing. It’s important to protect these by:
Not using shampoos with lots of alcohol
Not exfoliating your head during the 7-day healing process
On the 4th day, when you are able to shampoo your head, it’s important to use a baby shampoo and water. Then when you’re drying your hair, very carefully pat it dry. So, you don’t dislodge any scabs before they’re ready to fall off.
This is important for the first 4 days. Again, to protect the scabs.
Avoid UV Exposure
Now, another point here is something that I speak about a lot, but that’s UV exposure. Your scalp micropigmentation is the most fragile during the first 4 days after your procedure.
You want to protect your scalp from the sun, especially during the first 4 days, but preferably during the 7 days after your procedures. It’s important to do this because you want your scalp micropigmentation to heal consistently, to heal quickly, and to look good when it’s done healing.
And the best way to do this is to protect your scalp from outside environmental factors, like the sun.
Don’t Go In The Water
Stay out of the water.
Now, this is for no other reason than that there can be bacteria in the water that can get into your scalp. Now, your scalp micropigmentation is a series of small wounds. They’re all tiny, but it is a bunch of tiny wounds on your head and you want to keep them clean. Like anything else that’s healing.
So, by getting into a lake, a pond, a pool, a sauna, a Whirlpool jacuzzi tub, or the ocean you can be exposing your scalp to bacteria that can give you an infection.
While that’s unlikely, it’s definitely worth staying out of those areas until your scalp heals: 7 days later.
So, during this 3 week period, you should stay out of the sun as much as possible. Not sweat excessively. So, if you normally work out hard, do low impact or stretching and try to limit the amount that you’re sweating. The sweat may dislodge your scabs over time. And we don’t want that.
Avoid Bacteria
Also, make sure that you’re staying out of places that bacteria grow.
If you go to the gym, think about all the germs that are on the gym equipment. If you’re wiping these things down, there are still germs that people transmit to each other. And you don’t want them getting into your healing scalp. So, it’s worth taking a break during the time that you’re getting this done. Just to make sure that you’re getting the great result that you’re looking for.
This is all really temporary. As soon as your scalp heals you can go back to living your life as you normally would. So, that is how your scalp micropigmentation aftercare is going to matter in the short term.
Long Term Care
So, long term aftercare for people that live in Hawaii is really dependent on the activities that you end up doing.
So, if you tend to go out fishing for long periods of time, then take a hat with you and apply sunscreen. If you’re out hiking, the same thing applies. You should be wearing a hat and sunscreen anytime you have prolonged sun exposure.
Hat and Sunscreen
If you do that, then you’re going to get a lot more life out of your scalp micropigmentation, which is the ultimate goal. This is a good way to take care of your SMP and get more out of it for a longer period of time.
Being Out in the Ocean
When you get out of the ocean, make sure that you do rinse your head off with clean water. You want to keep the salt off of your scalp. When you’re drying your scalp off with the salt it can over-exfoliate your scalp.
Working Out
And as far as working out, you don’t have to worry about the sun or anything if you’re working out indoors. But if you’re working out outside, you know the drill. Hat and sunscreen. These are your new best friends. And really they’re just good for all-around care.
Everyday Life
But in Hawaii specifically, a lot of folks are very busy. We work two jobs. There’s long commutes. And sometimes you can be exposed to the sun in the car as you’re driving. And that’s something that you’re going to want to be cognizant of as well.
SPF Moisturizer
So, for people that live in Hawaii, it’s good to add to their daily routine an SPF. You don’t need this in all parts of the world. But in Hawaii, you get sun most days. So, adding a moisturizer with a little bit of sunscreen in it into your daily routine is a good idea. This will help you even on those days when you don’t actively prep for being outside. Or if you last-minute get called up to go to the beach.
That will help to incorporate this care into your lifestyle without having to devote a lot of thought or effort to it
Touch Ups
Normally, scalp micropigmentation lasts about 8-10 years. If you’re rough on your SMP, and you just live your life, don’t apply sunscreen, don’t wear a hat, that’s fine. It might shorten the life of your SMP by a couple of years. And that’s really minor, all things considered.
So, if you do want to get a touchup at some point. That’s not a big deal. So, maybe I won’t see you every 8-10 years, maybe I’ll see you every 5 years. And that’s completely up to you. It’s about what you want and the result that you want to get out of it.
It’s not going to make a huge difference. All these tips can help to extend the life of your SMP. And that said, you can always get a touch up if you want.
Don’t Let SMP Rule Your Life
Now, in Hawaii, a lot of us are really busy. People are working 2 jobs, they’re going to the beach, they got to pick up kids, they got to pick up grandkids.
You have a lot to do and a lot going on.
That’s something that’s important here.
Your taking care of your scalp micropigmentation shouldn’t be a third job.
The whole point of it is to solve your worries. Not to add more to it.
So, if you want to be rough on your scalp micropigmentation, then be rough on your scalp micropigmentation. It doesn’t really matter because it’s still going to last for years. These tips are to prolong scalp micropigmentation for people who live in Hawaii.
But that said, if you go out and live your life, you can always get a touch up if you want to make your look a little bolder. Or extend the life of it a little bit.
But, the whole point of scalp micropigmentation is to help you have a lower maintenance solution and not to have to put so much work in. So, live your life.
One of the greatest things about scalp micropigmentation is that it’s not like a traditional tattoo. In that, it’s not going to fade differently. It will fade uniform. So, it’ll be hard to tell when it fades to anyone but you. So, you only have to worry about maintaining the result that you want for yourself. Which is the beauty of it.
So, if you want to keep your fresh, out of the studio scalp micropigmentation look, then I highly suggest following these tips to help extend the life of your SMP. And help you keep that look longer.
That said, if you don’t, you can always come back because it’s not going to fade in an ununiform way. And if you want to punch up the color a little bit it’s easy to do that. And it’s not something that you’re going to have to worry about.
SMP Maintenance
A lot of people will say to me that the maintenance for SMP sounds like a lot.
But actually, it’s important to address this and point out the fact that the entire point of scalp micropigmentation is to free you up.
Not to take up your time.
Scalp micropigmentation is supposed to work for you. You don’t have to work for it.
So, when I make these suggestions about tips for optimizing your look, it’s to help you lengthen the amount of time that your SMP looks like you just came out of the studio.
That said, the whole point of it is to make it so you’re not actively worried about your scalp. And caring for it. And constantly trying to keep it a certain way.
So, it’s important to take this with a grain of salt and realize that the point of scalp micropigmentation and the benefit of it is that now you don’t have to think about it all the time. Scalp micropigmentation is supposed to solve your hair loss issues. It’s not supposed to add another chore on the long list of things that you need to do.
Overview
So, we went over short term care, which is essentially not sweating too much for 4 days. Washing with baby shampoo on the 4th day of your recovery. And also making sure that you stay out of the sun during the 7 days while you’re healing.
Long term care is very similar. It’s to avoid UV. Protect your scalp from UV as much as you can. And also to make sure that you’re putting on sunscreen or a hat when you go out
But, as we went over, all these things are optional because SMP is supposed to work for you. You’re not supposed to work for it.
Hopefully, this answered your questions about how to take care of scalp micropigmentation in Hawaii.
If you’re in Hawaii, please feel free to get in contact with me because I’d love to educate you about this service. We’re super active here and super busy. And that’s why this is a really great solution for people who live outdoors, work multiple jobs, or just live how we do here. So, please get in contact with me if this sounds interesting to you.
I do free consultations and love to share this with anyone who this can help. Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you!
How long does scalp micropigmentation last in Hawaii?
My clients are always asking me how long their scalp micropigmentation will last. It’s a valid question since you want your results to last for years.
Today, we are going to go over how long you can expect your scalp micropigmentation to last in Hawaii. We are also going to cover what you can do to extend the life of your SMP.
Scalp micropigmentation usually lasts between 8-10 years.
Now, this is an average and it’s also mostly based on folks who live on the mainland or in other countries. Those places usually have winter seasons. Or at least fall where they’re covered up for more of the time or stay indoors more of the time. This is important since:
UV exposure is the number 1 factor that leads to SMP fading.
If you think about it, that does extend the life of a cosmetic procedure like a tattoo.
Like any tattoo, scalp micropigmentation is most faded by UV exposure.
So, that’s going to be regular direct sun exposure and even tanning.
So, traditional tattoos last forever. With SMP, the application method and the pigment are different.
These replications are very small. These hair follicle replications that we are implanting are tiny. So, they do fade over time, unlike a traditional tattoo. That said, they do last a very long time.
On average, living in a place that’s very sunny where you’re very active and more likely exposed to the sun is going to shave a few years off of how long it lasts.
Whereas on the mainland you may see that folks have SMP that lasts 5-10 years.
Here in Hawaii, I see folks need to have touchups more around the 5-7 year mark because of the exposure to the sun.
Walking to your car, from the office, walking out to get a plate lunch you are going to expose your scalp to the sun. And even if you don’t realize it, it is happening and it is fading your SMP a little bit faster.
Now, this varies based on person, occupation, and age. So, this is not a hard and fast rule. It’s more of a general estimation.
Don’t Let Hairloss Run Your Life
You don’t want preserving your scalp micropigmentation to completely take over your life. Because the whole point of scalp micropigmentation is to eliminate concern.
You don’t want to avoid the sun like the plague when you’re living in Hawaii. Also, that’s impossible to do because it’s sunny here all the time. So, what you can do is be a little more cognizant of applying a daily moisturizer that has some SPF.
When you do that, it will negate the effects of fading that’s more common to folks who live in Hawaii and other sunny places.
Because we get more sunny days, your SMP is going to fade faster if you’re out in the sun frequently.
So, if you think about how traditional tattoo ages versus how scalp micropigmentation ages, the major differences are going to be:
How small the actual tattoos themselves are. The hair follicle replications are tiny.
The pigment is different.
It goes into a different layer of the skin.
All these contribute to the reason why SMP fades a little bit faster than a traditional tattoo.
Essentially, you are going to be getting thousands of tiny tattoos. And they are much smaller and much more delicate than a traditional tattoo. They are also closer to the surface of your skin.
So, over time, the sun is going to fade them much faster than a traditional tattoo. But, as I said before, this is a good thing because it leaves you room to change your style or refresh it as desired.
These differences are actually a good thing because you want to be able to tweak your SMP, over time, if desired. Or have the option to redesign or let it fade, if so desired.
These are all advantages as opposed to disadvantages of SMP.
These are 2 really good ways to combat SMP fade.
1. Preventative Maintenance.
Preventative maintenance is little habits that you can incorporate into your life to extend your SMP. Most often, these are good for you to do outside of SMP as well. They are good for the health of your skin and other aging.
Use an SPF Moisturizer
If you’re not already doing so, you should be using a daily moisturizer to promote skin health. All you need to do for SMP maintenance is add a moisturizer with some SPF in it. Any kind of moisturizer with sunscreen will do.
Wear a Hat
Wearing a loosely fitted hat when you’re out in the sun will keep your SMP from being exposed to those UV rays. If you wear a hat with a brim, this is going to be good for your face as well. Since UV rays damages your skin.
2. Touchups
A touchup or refresher appointment is an appointment for scalp micropigmentation that you get before your SMP completely fades.
As SMP fades, you can go in and decide to have it darkened up. You can have specific areas that fade a little bit more touched up more to your liking.
This is optional and how often you come in for touchups depends on how you like your SMP. So, there are some people that go the entire length of time with no touchup.
If you like your look bold, or if there is something that you want to fix or adjust with your SMP, you can go in as often as you like.
It’s worth it to note that these appointments cost much less than your initial appointments. Since you have a good foundation and frame to touchup it won’t be as expensive. Which is another reason touchups are a good option.
So, when you go in for a touchup it’s going to be much faster and much less expensive, if you go back to the same practitioner. A lot of practitioners will charge the full price for an appointment even if you have existing SMP. This is due to the fact that it is almost always more work to cover up existing work done by a different artist.
They’re easy and it’s not something you have to do with any regularity. You can do it whenever you need to or want to. So, there’s no hard and fast rule about how often you need to maintain it.
The goal is actually for you not to have to come back. But, if you do, it’s completely up to you. You can use touchups to make your SMP a little bit bolder or change the style slightly if you like.
That said, it’s not really something to worry about. Touchups are easy to come by and very quick. So, it’s easy to maintain over time.
And definitely still worth choosing over a hair transplant or other options. Because it’s still lower maintenance and longer-lasting than those.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
Do you have to shave your head to get scalp micropigmentation?
Will I need to shave my head?!
This is one of the first questions asked by new clients.
I’m happy to inform you that the answer is no!
That said, there’s a little more to this and I’m going to go into that in this article.
Scalp micropigmentation looks best in a style that is uniform.
SMP rebuilds your hairline and adds density to your scalp. When you create a style that complements this, that is when SMP looks best and looks most natural.
Most clients that come into my studio do not actually need to shave their heads.
Here are 3 common examples where you would not have to shave your head.
1. Decent hairline with concentrated thinning on top
If you have a decent hairline and are only thinning on top of your head, then you can use density SMP to bolster the hairline. This is most common in men. The SMP will make your hair look thicker and darker. That can solve a lot of people’s issues with their hair loss.
For these clients, I wouldn’t suggest shaving your head. Since you have an established hairline, all you need is a density treatment to add volume.
2. Long hair with concentrated thinning on top
Another situation would be if you have long hair. I see this a lot with women. Where they have a little bit of hair loss that’s concentrated on the top of their head. That is very easy to disguise with SMP. SMP can go between the existing hair and add a hair follicle replication tattoo. This gives the illusion of fuller, thicker hair.
Obviously, it wouldn’t be best for you to shave your head with long hair. All that’s needed is a small area of treatment between your existing hair.
3. Concentrated thinning on sides
If you have thinning on the sides of your head, it’s very easy to blend that. This will make a fade hairstyle that’s super easy to maintain and looks really natural. Filling in the sides of your head with SMP can add density and color back to your hair. SMP will also make it easier and more consistent to style your hair every day.
It would be a waste for you to shave your head with thinning on the sides. You don’t need to shave off the hair on the top of their head when the problem is with the sides.
If you’re in one of these categories, it’s better for you to have scalp micropigmentation done right where you are. It doesn’t make sense to shave your entire head.
If you’re wondering if you’re in one of these 3 categories, you can contact me. I’d be happy to do a consultation to tell you how scalp micropigmentation can benefit you the most.
When do I need to shave my head for scalp micropigmentation?
There are some hair loss situations where it’s best to shave your head to achieve the most natural result.
When I’m designing a style for someone these are the recommendations I usually give.
If you have hair loss on the top of your head and a receding hairline, then picture how it would look if someone had really short hair on the top and really long hair on the sides.
That’s not how people style their hair.
If you want to get your hairline back
If your hairline is too far back for your taste
If you want to transition into a natural full look
Then it would be wise to buzz your head and lean into the shaved look with scalp micropigmentation.
Scalp micropigmentation can recreate an entire “buzzed head” look for people that want to shave their entire head.
Hair follicle replication tattoo will make it look like you have that freshly buzzed look every day.
I would recommend shaving your head if:
your hairline is too far back that it would look strange to have short hair in the front.
your hair loss is concentrated on the top and you have long hair on the sides.
The main reason I would recommend buzzing your head is to make a cohesive natural look. This way you get the most out of your scalp micropigmentation.
The other reason is for maintenance. If you create a specific hairstyle that requires a lot of work, it’s difficult to keep up with. It won’t be the type of result you’re looking for most often.
So, if you go ahead and give yourself a low maintenance cut and use SMP to fill in and make your hairline:
more prominent,
more realistic,
thicker-looking
You’re going to be more pleased with your result at the end.
That said, there are really no rules about SMP.
You can have scalp micropigmentation however you want it.
If you like the way your style looks, that’s the only thing that matters.
If you want to get in touch with me for a consult, then fill out the contact form below. Let’s see what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
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!
