SMP Regrets & How To Avoid Them
Right around the world, scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is becoming a popular alternative to traditional hair transplants. It is so popular that the cosmetic pigment market is projected to reach $960 million by 2026!
While a hair transplant creates hair density, it isn’t successful for everyone. On the other hand, SMP creates the illusion of density by tattooing tiny dots across the scalp and therefore can be successful for anyone. Some, however, have experienced SMP regrets, which usually stem from not conducting proper research or having realistic expectations.
So, what are these common scalp micropigmentation regrets and how can you avoid them? Well, you’ve come to the right place as we walk you through 13 of the most common SMP regrets and provide guidance on how you can avoid them.
13 Scalp Micropigmentation Regrets and How to Avoid Them
To make the most of the SMP procedure and get the best natural result possible, we’ve uncovered 13 common SMP regrets that are essential to understand. If you head into your hair regrowth journey with realistic expectations and armed with all the necessary information, you know you are doing everything to improve your chances of success.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #1: Unrealistic Expectations
Probably the biggest regret of them all – coming into this with unrealistic expectations. Not doing enough research is one of the worst things you can do. It is vital to understand the process that is involved with SMP as well as the care procedure. It’s also a good idea to investigate other treatments for hair loss (like hair restoration surgery or follicular unit extraction) to understand which option is most ideal for your situation.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #2: Choosing the Wrong Practitioner
The scalp micropigmentation procedure needs to be done using the proper technique with a qualified professional who understands your personal goals. As SMP is a cosmetic procedure, so finding the best SMP technician in your area is essential.
It’s a good idea to check their patient gallery and reviews. Seeing what previous patients have said is one of the best ways to see if the SMP artist is going to be a good fit. The best practitioners will also offer a free consultation to understand your goals.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #3: Poor Aftercare
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) creates the look you want, but only if you follow the aftercare guidelines. If the aftercare guidelines aren’t followed, this is one of the major scalp micropigmentation regrets. Even if you’ve found the best clinic who have done everything right, like performing a patch test to ensure no reactions, if your aftercare is poor, you likely won’t get the results you are looking for.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #4: Regret Over Aesthetic Outcome
SMP is not like a follicular unit transplantation and real hair isn’t transplanted into your scalp. Instead, a dot pattern is created by inserting the needle used by an SMP artist to give the appearance of hair. So, it’s important to understand how this will look on your head. Also, there’s the issue of incorrect pigment colour creating a poor look. You should discuss the pigment shade and look at scalp micropigmentation photos to understand and nail down the best look.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #5: Regret Over Maintenance Needs
SMP provides natural-looking hairlines, but it is a semi-permanent solution. The scalp micropigmentation procedure typically lasts two to four years. As SMP professionals are tattoo artists providing a more natural hairline with a single-pronged needle, the treatment will require maintenance to keep it looking fresh.
If a poor scalp micropigmentation technique is used, the need for more maintenance could be more frequent, which is why, to avoid scalp micropigmentation regret, you should use a highly qualified professional.
RESULTS AFTER 1.5 YEARS
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #6: Physical Discomfort and Healing Issues
Another one of the biggest scalp micropigmentation regrets is related to physical discomfort and healing issues. While the procedure is similar to that of a tattoo, many who report having scalp micropigmentation confirm it is not as painful. However, your pain threshold comes into play and if you’re looking for impartial hair restoration advice, it will at least be uncomfortable. Always ensure to check the healed results of your SMP technician.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #7: Financial Regret
If you’re looking for a high-quality clinic to perform your scalp micropigmentation, there’s likely going to be a higher cost. Remember the saying: “You get what you pay for”? Well, this rings true here. If you opt for a cheaper clinic, this comes with the risk of a botched treatment and therefore not providing the desired look. It’s a good idea to research questionable clinics giving cheap quotes in more detail. If they are considerably cheaper than others, think about why that may be.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #8: Risk of Fading Over Time
SMP doesn’t create genuine hair density, it uses one or more (for example, six) pronged needles to tattoo your scalp surface. Like any tattoo, it will fade over time. This means touch-ups will likely be required and the frequency of these touch-ups depends on several factors, like your skin tone, for example. It’s a good idea to understand the human skin colour scale to get some guidance on how quickly this treatment will fade over time.
RESULT AFTER 1 YEAR HEALED
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #9: Allergic Reactions
There is the possibility you could have an allergic reaction to the treatment, especially if you have a history of skin allergies. However, you can minimise this risk by ensuring high-quality ink is used in the treatment and performing a patch test in a small area to see if there are any reactions before moving forward with the entire head.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #10: Infection Risk
SMP is widely considered a safe procedure and there is minimal risk of infection. Infections or diseases like blood-borne disease transmission, for example, are extremely unlikely. To limit the risk of infection, it is important to follow any aftercare instructions given by the clinic and know the signs that could point to an infection.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #11: Unnatural or Uneven Appearance
Creating sharp unnatural hairlines is another one of the scalp micropigmentation regrets some have experienced. Again, this usually stems back to ensuring you engage the services of a professional clinic to perform SMP.
When it comes to head scalp micropigmentation (SMP), randomising the dot pattern is vital to provide more of a natural appearance. If this isn’t done, a grid-like appearance is created, which likely isn’t the look you’re going for!
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #12: Limited Coverage
Limited coverage is a very real risk and can depend on a few factors like the quality of the procedure and the type of pigment used. A skin colour scale, meanwhile, is also important as it will provide the SMP technician with the information they need to get the right colour for your treatment. Therefore, this is another regret that can be avoided by using a quality clinic that takes the time to understand your situation and goals to cover thinning areas.
Scalp Micropigmentation Regret #13: Potential Psychological Impact
If you have been thinking about this treatment for a while and it doesn’t provide you with the results you’re looking for, there can potentially be a psychological impact. Hair thinning or loss can certainly impact your self-confidence and then not getting the result you are after can be another blow.
This is why it is important to be realistic with your expectations and remember that fixing your hair loss issue isn’t going to solve any other problems in your life. It’s a good idea to have a good support network around you and reach out to a professional if needed.
Factors To Consider To Avoid Scalp Micropigmentation Regret
To avoid becoming a walking poor micropigmentation hairline example yourself, there are some factors to consider! You should consider these factors on top of the potential regrets listed above. So, if you’re thinking about investing in a hair tattoo for your thinning hair, here are some additional factors to consider:
SMP and Lifestyle Compatibility
SMP is compatible with all individuals, no matter the lifestyle, but there are some important things to remember, especially in the days after your procedure. If you live an active lifestyle, you should be aware that excessive sun exposure can lead to premature fading, so being sun-smart (i.e. wearing a hat and using sunscreen) is critical.
It is also important to refrain from strenuous activity for at least 10 days after your procedure. Sweating can also cause the ink to fade faster. If you’re a gym junkie, 10 days can seem like a long time, but for a semi-permanent solution, you have to decide if it’s worth it!
SMP Correction and Removal Options
If you’ve received a botched SMP treatment, for example, your temples creating sharp unnatural lines on your head, it is important to know if there are correction and removal options available. The best SMP artists can correct previous botched treatment issues, creating a naturally encroaching scalp micropigmentation hairline that gives you the ultimate look you want to achieve.
There are two methods available for SMP correction:
- New dots added – Adding new dots to your scalp can give a more balanced (and therefore natural look). You’ll get the right density without any overlapping errors.
- Neutralise dots with colour pigment – This is a slightly more advanced method and involves injecting skin-coloured ink into excessively dark areas and then new dots are added.
At this stage, there is only one method for the removal of an SMP treatment, which is laser removal. The debate of whether you need SMP correction or removal stems down to how botched the original treatment was. An experienced SMP technician can tell you if the situation is too far gone and it’s better to remove it or if they can use a correction method to give you a more desired look.
Alternative Hair Loss Solutions
It wouldn’t be free impartial hair restoration advice if alternative hair loss solutions weren’t offered! There are several alternative hair loss solutions but the effectiveness of them varies greatly and some might not be suitable for everyone.
If you’re looking for genuine hair density rather than SMP, some of the other hair loss treatments available:
- Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) – This is a non-invasive option that stimulates cellular activity in tissues. There are products available on the market that allow you to perform this therapy in your home. At-home products aren’t going to break the bank, but it’s a good idea to check reviews to understand their effectiveness.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy – Known as more of a natural approach, PRP involves extracting and injecting platelet-rich plasma from your blood to improve blood flow and stimulate hair growth.
- Natural/ home remedies – Anything from essential oils and scalp massages may help here. Along with this, making adjustments to your diet and stress management can help as well. The cost is quite low, especially compared to other options but it can require long-term changes in your lifestyle.
- Wigs – Not a particularly long-term option, but an option nonetheless! Quality wigs can be expensive and you always run the risk of something happening to the wing while out.
Long-Term Satisfaction and Follow-Up
SMP isn’t a one-and-done procedure, it takes a couple of treatments to get the desired effect. So, you must follow up regularly with your clinic to ensure everything is progressing as it should. Checking in regularly ensures the clinic can pick up any emerging concerns and help to maintain results.
A major factor in the long-term satisfaction revolves around your skin type. So, if you’re a prospective patient, it’s a good idea to understand the Eumelanin Human Skin Colour Scale and your particular skin tone. Understanding this should allow you to enjoy long-term satisfaction with this treatment.
Conclusion
The easiest way to avoid regret is to ensure you find a highly experienced professional and follow all instructions provided by them in regard to aftercare treatment. Going into this process with realistic expectations, which comes from doing enough research is also important.
Everyone is different and a professional SMP artist will ensure a personalised approach, to limit any potential regrets and give you the desired look you’ve been chasing. Your skin tone, hair type and more will all come into play here and the best SMP professionals know this!
