Scalp micropigmentation for women can be a good way to mask hair loss, especially if it is caused by treatment-resistant forms of scarring alopecia, such as lichen planopilaris. It can also be used to effectively mask hair transplant scars left over from FUT type hair restoration surgery or other types of imperfections on your scalp. And research shows it to be a safe, minimally-invasive procedure [1][2] that left almost 100% of female study participants satisfied [2][3].
However, scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is not a hair loss treatment per se, it is a way of disguising hair thinning and creating the illusion of higher strand density. If you are experiencing hair shedding of unknown origin, it is important to see a trichologist as soon as possible. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and the best hair loss treatment for women. In many cases, treating your scalp condition from the first signs of hair thinning and balding can actively curb shedding and help you achieve strand regrowth.
Like any cosmetic procedure, scalp micropigmentation for women has its risks and benefits. Whether it is a good choice for you depends on several factors, such as the reason your hair is falling out, your body’s response to treatment, or your styling preferences. In the end, you are in the best position to decide whether this procedure is truly worth it for your condition.
Continue this article to find out all you need to know about:
Scalp micropigmentation is a relatively new cosmetic procedure designed to camouflage scarring, bald spots or thinning hair by tattooing microdots that imitate stubble on your scalp. Doing so reduces the colour contrast between your hair and skin, creating the illusion of increased hair fullness and concealing discoloured spots caused by scars or thinning [4][5].
SMP technique has progressed significantly in the past few years. Today, you can benefit from a wider variety of ink hues, better-calibrated instruments and more complex microdot placement patterns which provide a natural-looking appearance [6].
The process of getting scalp micropigmentation is not exceedingly complicated, but it can be painstaking and sessions can take 5-8 hours to complete [5][6]. You are likely to need 2-3 sessions to ensure uniform coverage, as some of the ink will be absorbed by your scalp and need retouching. Here is what you can expect from the procedure:
This is a complex question that every woman needs to answer for herself, taking into account the type and extent of her hair loss and the feasibility of other treatments or solutions for achieving fuller hair.
In general, scalp micropigmentation is worth it for women with bald or thinning spots where hair regrowth is not expected to be achieved either spontaneously or with available treatments. In their case, this procedure can provide a life-long effect that can improve their appearance and self-confidence.
However, if the hair loss may resolve on its own over time (e.g. in telogen effluvium or some forms of alopecia areata), or if they are experiencing mild to moderate female pattern hair loss that can be successfully treated, it may not be the best choice for them.
Since some types of alopecia can progress if left untreated, it is important to get a diagnosis for your hair shedding before opting for scalp micropigmentation. If your balding extends and becomes severe, medications may no longer work to treat it. That means further SMP may be needed to cover, which could result in an unnatural appearance.
While not many studies have been performed to evaluate the effectiveness of scalp micropigmentation, existing ones show very promising results. A study performed on 23 female patients with androgenetic alopecia revealed that all but one reported very high satisfaction with the outcome [7].
These positive results were confirmed by a different, smaller study, conducted on 6 female patients with female pattern hair loss. All the women reported being very pleased with the procedure outcome and highly inclined to recommend it to others [2].
No significant adverse effects were reported in any of the studies.
This cosmetic procedure is most often recommended to women with scalp conditions that don’t respond adequately to treatment and/or are not eligible for hair restoration surgery. These may include [4]:
Some women opt against hair growth treatments and/or getting a hair transplant, but would like a permanent solution to their hair thinning (unlike hair thickening sprays or hair thickening shampoos, which only offer temporary effects). They may prefer to use scalp micropigmentation to conceal their thinning areas.
This should normally be a safe, albeit not always ideal option, as some types of alopecia can progress if left untreated. SMP should not cause serious adverse reactions as long as they don’t have a pigment allergy or a common scalp problem that can be aggravated by the procedure, such as scalp psoriasis, eczema or scalp folliculitis.
However, natural redheads and platinum blondes should be aware that it can be very hard to find a pigment that matches their hair colour [6].
If safety regulations are strictly followed and the operator is trained specifically for this procedure, scalp micropigmentation is generally considered safe, with minor adverse reactions. However, it holds the same risks as getting a regular tattoo:
However, SMP for women also has some specific potential risks [6] (as do hair tattoos for men) that women should be aware of before opting for this procedure, to avoid scalp micropigmenation regrets:
Yes, while some fading can be expected over time, scalp micropigmentation is normally permanent, which means you are likely to enjoy its effects for decades. But this is also why this procedure should receive a significant amount of consideration and a highly skilled and safety-conscious operator should be chosen to perform it.
Recently, some semi-permanent pigments have been developed to last only 18-24 months. Using them is called “tricopigmentation” or temporary SMP [6]. However, researchers warn that at this time, there is no evidence regarding the effect that using this type of pigment repeatedly may have on your body. Some of the ink from any form of tattooing is absorbed by your immune cells (macrophages) and transported to your lymph nodes. And the consequences of frequently exposing them to this new, proprietary type of ink need further study for the process to be deemed safe [6].
Yes, you can safely dispose of poorly performed or no longer wanted scalp micropigmentation by using laser-removal techniques similar to those applied to regular tattoos. This process should normally not harm your scalp and hair follicles, it only breaks down pigment so your immune cells can eliminate it. A single session of SMP removal is often sufficient, as these small ink dots are easier to eliminate than regular tattoos [6].
The price for scalp micropigmentation in the UK varies with the clinic that performs it and the size of the area you need it to cover. While masking a single scar can start at around £250, extensive work to cover several parts of your scalp or a sizable bald spot on your crown can reach up to £3000 in total.
While prices can be lower in a tattoo salon, it is recommended to only use the services of a professionally trained SMP operator employed by a reputable clinic that upholds health and safety regulations. While regular tattoo artists may be experienced in creating skin art, they are not trained to work on a scalp with scar tissue or alopecia [4].
Most often, scalp micropigmentation is not painful, because you are offered a local anaesthetic to numb your scalp before the procedure (the injection might sting briefly).
However, if you decide to opt for getting SMP without anaesthesia, you are likely to experience pain during the procedure. The nature and amount of discomfort you can expect depends on your personal pain threshold, session duration, operator experience and size of the area that needs covering. Being well rested, well hydrated and having had a light meal before your SMP session can improve your experience and prevent lightheadedness.
Researchers believe that scalp micropigmentation can be used successfully alongside hair transplants to obtain better results, and in some cases, to reduce the number of necessary interventions [6][9].
Some women choose to get SMP after a FUT-type hair transplant, to mask the linear scar left on their donor area. Others get it to enhance the effect of their hair restoration surgery, to hide hair transplant overharvesting or remaining thinning that was not covered by the procedure (e.g. they may use micropigmentation to cover their temple hair loss after getting a crown hair transplant) [10][9].
Scalp micropigmentation should not harm your transplanted grafts in any way, as long as it is properly healed when you are getting this cosmetic procedure. It is, however, a good idea to wait long enough to achieve final hair growth results (up to 1 year) before getting SMP, so you can tell exactly which areas need more filling in.
For many women, SMP comes as a last resort, after having exhausted all treatment options. Others, however, choose to get this procedure as a cosmetic fix as they notice their hair has started to thin.
If you are considering getting scalp micropigmentation but have not yet been seen and diagnosed by a specialist, the best thing you can do is book a consultation with a trichologist. They will perform a thorough examination of your scalp and may order blood tests for hair loss to determine the source of your hair shedding and the most effective treatment.
Several types of hair loss, such as traction alopecia or telogen effluvium resolve themselves over time without treatment, rendering scalp micropigmentation unnecessary. However, conditions such as female pattern baldness can progress if left untreated, sometimes to the point where SMP may no longer effectively mask the hair thinning.
If your hair loss can be treated, your trichologist may recommend some of the following therapies, instead of or alongside scalp micropigmentation:
While not everyone is eligible for hair restoration surgery (e.g. getting a hair transplant into scar tissue or to treat an autoimmune alopecia may not always be possible), female hair transplants are increasingly popular. That is because they are most often successful and discreet, making it easy to get a hair transplant without anyone knowing. The Wimpole Clinic has excellent results, which you can see for yourself in our before and after hair transplant gallery.
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