Many people turn to all sorts of treatment to hair loss or balding, some effective, some not. Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is a guaranteed way to mitigate the effects of hair loss because rather than using medication or surgical operations to try to regrow hair, it instead gives individuals the appearance of a fuller scalp.
But is SMP a permanent solution to hair loss? How long does it last and does it wear off over time?
Is SMP Permanent or Temporary?
SMP is considered to be a semipermanent solution to hair loss. It does not rely on the use of creams or medical treatments like minoxidil (Regaine), nor does it require any surgical operations like a full hair transplant. Both of these methods can help people regrow their hair, but the chance of success is never 100%.
Unfortunately, for the many people that don’t see any meaningful results from minoxidil, for example, that can lead to a lot of wasted time and money, not to mention frustration and perhaps even stress leading to further acceleration of hair loss.
Instead, SMP is an operation in which the patient receives a ‘scalp tattoo’ of micropigmentation – almost like an ordinary tattoo, but it is not the same. Traditional tattoos go deeper into the skin and use larger needles. SMP needles are much finer and insert the pigment at a different depth within the dermal layer of the scalp.
How Long Does SMP Last on a Scalp?
Generally, SMP can last for around 5 years without significant signs of fading or discolouration. In fact, discolouration is uncommon unless the clinic made a mistake and used the incorrect pigment colour for your scalp. For this reason, it is extremely important to always do your research on SMP clinics in Australia to ensure that you’ve chosen a reputable clinic.
If the clinician is skilled and qualified and uses the correct pigment colour for your scalp, there should be no noticeable discolouration over time. What is common, however, is that the pigment may begin to slightly fade.
How to Avoid Fading of Your SMP
Fading SMP treatment is quite normal, especially at around the five-year mark. Fading can take place earlier, depending on a range of circumstances.
Firstly, your initial SMP session is rarely sufficient to maintain the proper pigment for that long. Instead, you’ll normally have to sit through 2-3 sessions or more so that the pigment is just right and that your scalp looks exactly like you want it to.
Moreover, you’ll need to protect your scalp in the first month following your initial SMP treatment session. This means no heavy exercise, no sunbathing, and no exposure to saunas or swimming pools as these can prematurely lead to fading. You should also use sunscreen with SPF of 30-50 and/or wear a hat to protect your scalp whilst under the sun.
If your skin is naturally dry, you may also not get the full 5 years from your SMP treatment. Excessively dry skin can lead to rapid fading, so consider the use of moisturiser to protect your scalp after and in between treatment sessions.
Lastly, you may benefit from touch-up treatment sessions over the years. If you notice a little bit of fading, an SMP clinic can easily do a touchup of the affected area to restore its full colour and appearance.
SMP Gold Coast also offers scalp micropigmentation in Brisbane, scalp micropigmentation in Broadbeach, scalp micropigmentation in Queensland, and scalp micropigmentation in Surfers Paradise.
SMP Gold Coast
Schedule a consultation with the friendly SMP clinicians at SMP Gold Coast.
