Robert B. Brown
For those that are not familiar with the scalp micropigmentation (SMP) process, they always say a picture is worth a thousand words. Take a close look at the picture up above. It appears that the guy has a full head of closely cropped hair. But alas, that is not the case. It was accomplished through the scalp micropigmentation process.
What does this process entail? To put it bluntly, it is a tattoo that covers the head and appears to be closely shaved hair. Some of the results are quite amazing in pictures. SMP has grown in popularity over the last couple years. More and more places across the globe are now offering it. I have never seen someone with the SMP in person, or if I did I didn’t know it. There are many videos available to watch where you can see if this is a viable option for you.
Scalp Micropigmentation Pros
There are many positives when considering this option over a hair transplant surgery. For one, not everyone has enough donor hair for a quality hair transplant. With a SMP, it does not matter if you basically have zero hair left on your head. They can create the illusion of a full head of hair using this tattoo method.
Also, the whole session for a full SMP can be accomplished in three hours or so. It will be red for a few days, but then after that you are able to walk around in public with the buzzed head look of a full head of hair. They do say that there will probably have to be touch up procedures as well down the road. Usually once every four years or so they do minor touch ups for the tattoo ink that is fading a bit.
Another positive is that is can be tailored around the look you want to achieve. Several people ask for a slightly receded look that corresponds more with their age. Other people request for the top not to be so filled in as a way to show a bit of hair loss. While the before and after pictures that are mostly on these SMP sites show a full strong hairline and a head of thick “shaved” hair, this look does not have to be for you.
The cost of SMP can vary, but I have not seen it priced much more than about $4,000. While it is a good sum of money to pay, it is much less expensive than the alternative of a hair transplant. In fact, if you have had a hair transplant procedure previously and have that long scar in the back, the SMP can quickly cover up that scar for life.
Scalp Micropigmentation Cons
As with almost everything in life, there are cons to getting a SMP procedure. The biggest negative could also be viewed as a positive, but the procedure is basically permanent. It is a tattoo on your scalp. If you would ever like it removed, laser removal would have to be done. Having a hairline that does not change as you age would be a bit unrealistic. However, maybe by the time you are 60 years old, you just won’t care.
Be sure to go to a place that specializes in SMP. Do not go to an everyday tattoo artist. For one, I have read that the ink used is a bit different. Also, sometimes tattoos can fade over time and change a bit more towards a green color. The last thing you probably want is to have a full head of green “hair” on your scalp. It will quickly leave you wishing back to the days when you had absolutely no hair on the top of your head.
With a SMP, you will have to keep your hair short for the rest of your life. It would appear quite strange if you started growing your real hair out, but the hair follicle tattoos don’t change at all. You would probably have longer hair on the sides and in the back, but then a shaved head appearance on top. If you ever are in a coma for a long time later in life after getting an SMP done, you might have to get a friend to promise to come in and shave your head once a week or so. Sure, you probably won’t care what you look like when you are in a coma. But if you ever regain consciousness, the last thing you will want to do is to explain to everyone why only half of your head is growing hair.
One huge negative is that if you do not do this procedure gradually, you will go from being bald to having a full head of hair overnight. This will ruin what you are probably going for. The key is to do it so slowly over time that people do not ask you a million questions about it. This might cost a bit more and require a few more visits to the place to get this accomplished, but it will definitely be worth it. You want to be known as the guy with a good shaved look, not the man with tattoos for hair.
The Rest Is Up to You!
If you do the research and figure that this might be something you would like, go visit the business that does these and asks to see the former clients in person. As awkward as it may seem, run your hands over their heads. Check out the feel of it all. Determine if this is something that you could do. And if you hit it off with rubbing your hands over their heads, you might be able to get a future date out of it.
In all seriousness, the SMP procedures are gaining in popularity. But keep in mind that this will be permanent and will require touch-ups every few years. I would definitely not move forward on it until you see their work up close. If you have gone through with the procedure already or are getting it done soon, please post some pictures and tell us about your experience!
