When Can I Wash My Hair after SMP
This is a very common question and it makes sense because it has a lot to do with your daily routine. Basically, there’s a 4-day period after each scalp micropigmentation procedure that you have to treat your scalp very carefully. After that, you can wash your hair with baby shampoo and water and you can get back to your normal routine.
So scalp micropigmentation basically works in this way. In an ideal world, you have 3 appointments, they are spread over a span of 21 days. You have 1 appointment, and then you have a 7 day period, and then you have a 2nd appointment and then you have another 7 day period and then you have the 3rd appointment, and then you have a 7-day healing period as well. So what this looks like is after your 1st appointment, there are 4 days where your scalp has tiny scabs all over it. These scabs are attached to your pigment which is underneath your scalp. But your scalp has not healed yet so it’s still exposed to the elements.
Why is this healing process important?
Now the reason this healing process is really important in the beginning is that you want to let these scabs fall off naturally. Because if they fall off prematurely, they can pull the pigment with them and undo all of the hard work that was done in your first appointment.
Now scalp micropigmentation is done in layers in order to increase the realism and the size difference in the hair follicle replication tattoos. So in your first appointment, you’re gonna have much more spaced-out follicle replications and you really wanna be careful with this because they are foundational to your 2nd and 3rd appointments.
So you wanna be really careful with this healing process. So during these 4 days, you need to not sweat excessively, expose your scalp to the sun, or wash it.
Ok, I know that’s hard. But that said, after these 4 days, you can go back to your normal routine. So there will be a total of 12 days in this 21-day cycle where you do have to treat your scalp with these specific instructions. On the 4th day, you can wash your scalp with water and baby shampoo. You wanna avoid things that have alcohol or any irritants in them that can accelerate the shedding of the scabs too soon. So during the first 4 days, you don’t wanna wash your scalp. I know that’s hard.
What should I do if I experience itchiness?
But I do advise during this time as you will experience a little bit of itching is a little bit of coconut oil on the tips of your fingers massaged into your scalp. As long as you do this in a patting motion, pulling your fingers away from your scalp, you’re not going to dislodge the scabs and you will alleviate any irritation. I know this is harder specifically for women or those with longer hair. That said, after these 12 days, you’re going to have the results you want and so, it’s a small price to pay to just abide by these really strict aftercare instructions for the first few days after each procedure and after that, you can go back to everything as normal.