Scalp Micropigmentation

Is Scalp Micropigmentation a Tattoo? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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Is Scalp Micropigmentation a Tattoo?

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.

You’ll learn more about whether SMP is painful or not in: Does Scalp Micropigmentation Hurt? 

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!

Does Scalp Micropigmentation Damage Your Hair Follicles?

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Does SMP Damage Hair Follicles?

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? SMP Aftercare

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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? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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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 Need to Shave Your Head for Scalp Micropigmentation? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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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!

Does Scalp Micropigmentation Look Natural? A Hawaii SMP Practitioner Explains

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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!

Does Scalp Micropigmentation Hurt? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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Does scalp micropigmentation hurt?

“Will it hurt when I get SMP?”

“I’ve never had a tattoo before and I’m concerned about the pain. Does SMP Hurt?”

A lot of people ask me this question! And I’m always happy to tell them that the answer is NO!

Most of my clients expect that getting scalp micropigmentation would be painful. Especially, when you consider that scalp micropigmentation is technically a tattoo.

You may think it sounds extreme to tattoo your scalp, but most of my clients have never had a tattoo in their life. The one that they get on their scalp is the first one that they’ve ever had.

So, I do understand the apprehension and coming in being very concerned about the pain because if you’ve never had a tattoo before, you wouldn’t be sure what to expect. 

Traditional tattoo pain vs. SMP discomfort 

Traditional tattoo pain

The pain from traditional tattoo compared to the slight discomfort from SMP is really not comparative at all. If you were to get scalp micropigmentation and you used that as a way to estimate the pain of a regular tattoo and you went in and got a regular tattoo, it actually would be painful. Because scalp micropigmentation is so far away from traditional tattoo. They are hard to compare.

So, you may think that because you are getting your entire scalp tattooed it would be very uncomfortable. But the main factor in the discomfort of traditional tattoos is the length of time and the amount of contact. What I mean by that is the type of needle contact used in traditional tattoo.

In a traditional tattoo, you are going to find there’s more lines and more actual shading. Because of this there’s more needle contact as the needle has to be dragged across your skin. 

Traditional tattoo lines are usually done with a really sharp, single needle. These needles are very uncomfortable. The same can be said for shading needles as it’s going to be a larger formation of needles. So, 13 needles, 22 needles. And it goes over the same patch of the same skin multiple times to lay down the correct amount of pigment. When you do that your skin gets raw and irritated.

Scalp micropigmentation discomfort

While SMP is a needle going into your skin, just like tattoo, the levels of pain are nowhere near each other. 

The pain of the extra sharp needle and the shading is avoided with scalp micropigmentation. All we’re doing is creating a really shallow hair follicle replication tattoo and while we are creating many of them most people don’t feel any pain.

If you want to know more about the process of scalp micropigmentation, I go over all of that in: What is scalp micropigmentation? 

It is worth mentioning that there is one spot that people experience a slight discomfort and that is the temples. The temples of your head are the most sensitive area that scalp micropigmentation is performed. So, if you are experiencing thinning on the sides of your scalp and are getting SMP done there, just remember that you may feel a little “burning” sensation as your practitioner does this area. That being said, it’s still not painful. Only slight discomfort.

Most of my clients just fall asleep. 

As you can see, it’s difficult to relate the two because the techniques are so different. And because the techniques are so different the level of pain and discomfort is so different, as well. 

I would say a tattoo is painful. I would say that scalp micropigmentation is not. 

SMP doesn’t hurt

Part of the reason this question is asked so frequently is because most of clients don’t have tattoos. After talking with them about this and speaking with them, I find that a lot of their initial hesitation was actually their fear of pain because they never had other tattoos.

So, they didn’t know that it wasn’t going to be painful. 

Sometimes, they say to me afterwards: “Oh! If I had known that it felt like this, I would’ve come in a lot earlier!”

If this is something that you’re considering for yourself, please don’t let fear of pain stop you because scalp micropigmentation doesn’t hurt.

If it’s something that you want to look into a little more, I do offer a patch test.

I will have you come in and I will sketch your entire hairline for you. We’ll go over your cares and concerns and I will actually do a small section of your scalp. So, you can see if it’s right for you.

You don’t have to take my word for it.

You can try it out!

I promise you SMP doesn’t hurt. 

If you’re in Hawaii and you want to have this done, please let me know. I would be more than happy to do a patch test for you just so you can explore the subject and see if it’s a good fit for you. I always do one before a procedure because it helps people understand what the procedure feels like and I haven’t had one person not come back out of pain.

I hope this relieved some fears that you’ve had about scalp micropigmentation being painful.

The message that I want you to walk away with is that: scalp micropigmentation is for everyone!

If you want to get in touch with me for an in person consult, a virtual consult, or to ask where you can get SMP in your area, fill out the contact form below and I’ll get back to you!

How Long Does Scalp Micropigmentation Last? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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How long does scalp micropigmentation last?

Today, I am going to answer one of the most frequently asked questions about scalp micropigmentation. And that is: How long does scalp micropigmentation last?

Before reading on, you have to know what scalp micropigmentation is. I talk about what scalp micropigmentation is in detail in another blog post here. For this post, just know that scalp micropigmentation , or SMP, is a revolutionary hair loss solution that gives you the look of hair with hair follicle replication tattoo. 

The whole goal of scalp micropigmentation is to get a long lasting hair loss solution.

And as far as they go, scalp micropigmentation is easily:

  • the quickest,
  • most effective,
  • and longest lasting for the time the procedure takes.

So, a given procedure is going to take about, somewhere between 8-12 hours. Depending on how much reconstruction is needed. 

Once you have that initial time invested, SMP can last between 5-10 years. 

This wide variation comes from a few different factors.

The more sun exposure you get the faster your SMP will fade.

This is a really important point, actually. This is true for both traditional tattoos and SMP. But it does affect SMP more because SMP is much more delicate and is a surface level tattoo compared to regular tattooing. 

So, UV exposure, whether that be through a tanning bed or the sun, is the fastest fader of, specifically, SMP. The reason for that, is as I just mentioned, the different application, level of the skin, and size of the tattoos, themselves. So, SMP can last between 5-10 years. 

If you live in a region where you do have seasonal changes, so fall and winter you are going to be inside a little bit more and you’re not going to be exposed to the sun as often, when that’s the case your SMP is going to last you longer. 

Now, that’s not to say that SMP fades away completely. It doesn’t.

You can bolster your SMP very easily with a touch up appointment.

So, your ultimate foundation of SMP will last you at least 5 years, if not longer. But, the full effect of SMP is going to lessen over time the more UV exposure you have. 

So, the main thing you need to remember about SMP is this:

The sun and UV exposure (including tanning beds), is going to fade your scalp micropigmentation the fastest. The more time that you spend in the sun the faster your SMP will fade. 

That said, it’s not going to look bad if it fades. If your SMP fades, all you’ll have to do is get a touch up. 

So, if you want your initial application to last longer and be bolder you have two options.

  1. It’s reduce sun exposure. By either using an SPF moisturizer everyday or wearing hats when you’re in the sun for extended periods of time.
  2. Get a touch up every few years. This is going to make sure that your scalp micropigmentation remains fresh all the time.

If you do these two things, your SMP can last for decades.

It’s easy to extend the life of your SMP once it’s already there. You can very easily add in little applications of SMP in touch up form over the years to extend the life of the SMP. 

The foundation is the important part and as long as you don’t extended UV exposure your SMP will last for years. 

Scalp micropigmentation is one of the most effective and the longest lasting hair loss solutions.

Many clients are worried about the way scalp micropigmentation fades.

So, they’re worried about the way that scalp micropigmentation is going to fade over time. Now, this is part of the beauty of SMP is it’s designed to age well. 

What I mean by that is: the application method and the type of pigment used are designed to fade naturally as time goes on.

So, what you’ve probably seen are older tattoos. The older they are the more carbon or additives were in the tattoo ink. These are two ingredients that add to tattoo fading. These are not present in modern scalp micropigmentation pigment.

This is why I am so serious about making a differentiation between scalp micropigmentation pigment and traditional tattoo ink because they really aren’t the same. 

Traditional tattoo ink, over time, can oxidize underneath the skin and can lend itself a blue or greenish tint.

You’ve probably seen it.

If you’re thinking about it now, you’ve seen it before. Scalp micropigmentation does not do this because the pigment itself is designed to be stable and to fade according to the way it’s implanted.

So what I mean by that is when you implant scalp micropigmentation pigment you implant it at a level of the skin with extreme precision in the top most layer of the skin. The specially formulated pigment is designed to not change color over time. 

Some of the myths and misinformation about what will fade your SMP or make it change color are as follows:

  • Working out will not fade your SMP. Unless you’re working out in the sun with no sun protection.
  • Swimming will not fade your SMP. Chlorine and salt water are not going to affect your SMP. Once your SMP heals the barrier of your skin over your healed tattoos is going to protect it from any sort of water.

You’ll notice that a lot of these activities overlap with sun exposure.

So, sometimes people, attribute fading to the action instead of to the sun.

But, the sun is the number one cause of any sort of fading. And the reason that is the sun and the UV rays damage your skin. 

When they damage your skin, they damage your SMP because they damage your skin underneath. It’s not just surface level damage. Whereas when you’re talking about hiking, sweating, working out, swimming, none of those things can affect your SMP. And if they do, it’s so minor that it wouldn’t even be noticeable to you. 

So, over time the only thing that can really reduce the lasting effect of your SMP is the sun. I keep saying it, but I can’t stress it enough. It’s really just the sun. 

If you can protect your SMP from the sun, you’re going to get more life out of it.

If you want to get in touch with me for an in person consult, a virtual consult, or to ask where you can go to get SMP in your area, contact me on our contact page.

What is Scalp Micropigmentation? An Oahu SMP Practitioner Explains

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What is scalp micropigmentation?

In its current form scalp micropigmentation, only started in the early 2000s. It is a cosmetic tattoo solution for hair loss.
  • It’s non-surgical.
  • It’s completely effective
It’s just depositing tattoo pigment into the scalp to create a 5 pm shadow.

The goal of scalp micropigmentation is to cover hair loss.

This is a great solution for anyone.
 
Because it ranges from those who are completely bald and ready to shave their heads to those who have long hair with concentrated areas of thinning. As it can reduce the contrast between the scalp and the hair and also create the illusion of thicker hair.
  • There’s no downtime for it.
  • It’s not painful.
  • And it’s a very quick solution for those who need a practical answer to hair loss.

Scalp micropigmentation is technically a hair tattoo.

The procedure uses a:
  • small digital tattoo machine,
  • a different sort of pigment from traditional tattoo ink,
  • and then a different technique to apply hair follicle replication tattoos.
It sounds technical, but what I really mean is it’s just thousands of tiny dots.

Scalp micropigmentation is a hair loss solution.

Scalp micropigmentation exists because there’s nothing between hair loss drugs and hair transplant surgery.
 
Both of which, have really negative side effects.

Hair Transplants Negatives

If you get a transplant, there’s a high probability it won’t work. And even if it does, you might not have enough density or you might get a scar from it on the back of your head.

Hair Loss Drugs Negatives

With hair loss drugs there can be serious side effects. There are different hormonal issues. And while they are effective there’s a lot more negative associated with them than positive.

Scalp micropigmentation benefits

This is pretty universal across people struggling with hair loss. Out of that came SMP, or scalp micropigmentation. Because there’s:
  • no downtime,
  • there’s no risk,
  • and it’s non-surgical.
  • It also doesn’t involve any form of drugs. 

So, it’s a great solution for people who are looking for a fix.

  • You want it fixed.
  • You don’t want to interrupt your life to have a solution.
  • You don’t want to take drugs to solve your hair loss issues. 

It’s completely effective because it’s a tattoo.

While it is a tattoo it is very different from a regular tattoo. The method of application, the pigment used, and also the machine used are all different. They’re specifically designed for SMP.
 
So, most folks think that it may be a little bit extreme to tattoo your head. But with the current technology that is available, SMP is becoming one of the most popular treatments for hair loss.

Who can get scalp micropigmentation?

Almost everybody can have scalp micropigmentation.
 
It can be useful for filling in problem areas or addressing other hair loss concerns.
 
SMP or scalp micropigmentation is a form of paramedical reconstructive tattoo. Scalp micropigmentation can benefit you in these 3 major ways. There are different applications but these tend to be the 3 main categories.

1. Diffused Thinning

The first one is going to be for folks who are suffering from diffused thinning. Diffused thinning is when you lose the volume of hair. So, the amount of hair that you have is reduced all over.
 
You usually still maintain your hairline in diffused thinning. But you’ll notice that there’s more of a noticeable contrast between your scalp and your hair. And what that means is that you’ve lost a good deal of hair so your scalp is much more prominent than it was before.
 
SMP is fantastic for this because you can go between the diffused areas, where you have lost hair, and are experiencing thinning, and fill in and create density in those areas.
 
Most people believe that you need to be completely bald to have SMP. They’re surprised to learn that a lot of people who get SMP actually have diffused thinning. Instead of complete baldness. 

2. Total or Complete Balding

That being said, if you are completely bald, then SMP is perfect for recreating your hairline. Scalp micropigmentation can create an entire shaved stubble look that is easy to maintain.

3. Medical Reconstruction and scar cover-ups

Third, is going to be people who come in for medical reconstruction.
 
Which is going to be scars, skin graphs, and, ironically enough, hair transplants scarring.
 
A lot of men or women have U-shaped hair transplant scars from the donor area where the hair is pulled from. And that actually needs to be covered up after a transplant. Even if the hair transplant is successful.
 
So, those are the main applications of scalp micropigmentation.
 
But there’s really no limits to what it can do. So, it’s definitely worth looking into if it may be able to solve whatever your major concern is.

How long does scalp micropigmentation take?

Scalp micropigmentation is a quick procedure.
 
It takes 2-3 sessions of layered, healed tattoo to get the finished result.
 
The reason for this is you want to make sure that the skin has time to heal. Also, that the pigment has time to settle before you add in different layers.
 
When you’re adding in different layers for SMP, sometimes, a different pigment is used. So, a different color.
 
Sometimes practitioners will use a different size needle. I do because I find that varying the size of the hair follicle tattoos lends to a more realistic and natural result.

Scalp Micropigmentation Appointment Overview

I have clients come in on their first appointment. Which usually takes about 2-4 hours because it is a very delicate and intricate process.
 
And then, after that, there is at least 7 days between their first and second appointment.
 
And then, at least 7 days between their second and third appointment. Usually, appointment times go in descending order.
 
So, the first one is always the longest because we have to build the foundation for the rest of your SMP. And the rest are shorter and shorter.
 
Appointment Length
  1. First Appointment – 2-4 hours
  2. Second Appointment – about 2-3 hours
  3. Third Appointment – Usually, about 2 hours, sometimes 1 and a half.
The last appointment is usually the quickest since the foundation is already there. Now, we are going for density and touch up.
 
Keep in mind this is a general guideline. It depends on the level of hair loss you are experiencing and the level of reconstruction we’re doing.
 
But that is the general overview of how much time and how fast you’ll get to a complete result.
 
If you’d like to get a hold of me, fill out the contact form below. I’d love to discuss what scalp micropigmentation can do for you!
Scalp micropigmentation is the fastest and easiest way to rebuild your hairline in Honolulu, Hawaii at YAMA Studios.

The Fastest Way to Get Your Hairline Back

Having it tattooed on.

Scalp tattoos sound crazy, but they aren’t any more.

More and more pro athletes, stars, and working men are choosing hair tattoo as a more sure and safe alternative to hair transplant.

There’s a few reasons why I believe this upward trend is happening.

Downtime:

You need to treat your scalp like a newborn baby while is scars up, sheds all the donor hair, and (usually) regrows it. The process takes a couple months, and you need to be out of work for 2-5 days. You’ll probably be on anti inflammatory or antibiotic drugs to prevent infection.
And probably most inconvenient, you have to have actual surgery, but you won’t get actual hair growth for 3 months, and you won’t get good growth for 9-18 months.

You can get shock loss, which is where the transplant hairs kill the original hairs where they’ve been placed.

You are also at risk for folliculitis, which is hair follicle inflammation that eventually leads to hair loss.

Hair tattoo, a couple hours, 2-3 times to get best results. Redness for an hour or so after, don’t scrub your hair for 4 days.
You are are risk for infection like a traditional tattoo, but it carries little risk when held up next to a hair transplant.

There’s really no competition here.

Maintenance:
From my experience, hair transplant does not make clients significantly less self conscious. It gets worse before it gets better, and if the transplant isn’t really successful, you will have to go back to all of the things you did before to hide thinning, except now you will have wasted a lot of time and money.

With hair tattoo, you have to wait 10 days before cutting your hair. And then you go back to barbering as usual. Yep. That simple.

Money:

Hair transplants are expensive. There’s no way around it. Sometimes, they are flat out amazing. But, only sometimes do they contribute the thickness and new growth that clients were looking for. 

In Hawaii, the average cost is going to be between $10,000 and $15,000, and that’s hefty price tag.

Transplant is the right solution for clients looking for actual hair. 

Other good options would be platelet rich plasma therapy or dermarolling with topical minoxidil or finasteride to try to stimulate hair growth. There can be reactions to topicals, so ask your doctor before beginning.

The only solution that does not require surgery or consistency is hair tattoo. Scalp micropigmentation is not cheap, as it is labor intensive and takes skill and care, but for a growing number of active men, it’s the best solution for their lifestyle.