Is SMP the same as a regular tattoo/? 

By definition, a tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of ingraining an indelible pigment into the Dermis. Similarly, SMP involves the application of pigments; however, the process and the results are significantly different. The imprint of a single hair stubble replication isn’t applied as deeply as a tattoo. Unlike traditional tattooing which consists of lines and colour shading, the SMP process is performed one impression at a time with specialised needles and pigments designed to replicate thousands of tiny hair follicles, with upwards of 30,000 required for full scalp coverage.

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Can I see photos of previous clients, or better still speak with them prior to my treatment? 

Yes, you can. We can provide you with contact details and will show you photos of previous clients who were more than happy to share their treatment experience, as well as give you their honest opinion of the results we were able to achieve for them. Many are more than happy to meet with you so you can see the results first hand.

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What guarantee is there that my treatment will give me the results I am looking for?

Everybody’s skin and body react differently to Pigment Implantation thus affecting the final colour and results. To ensure the best possible outcome you have the option of having a small test patch performed in a discreet location, generally at the edge of and within the existing hair line towards the back of the head. This test patch will be done prior to your treatment using pigment colour- matched to your existing hair so you are able to see the results that will be achieved. Adjustments can be made if deemed necessary and following your approval, the procedure completed. Should you decide to not proceed with the treatment the test patch will not be visible to the uninformed onlooker, saving any embarrassment. We also provide a 12 months warranty should you experience any fading or unevenness.

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Will SMP cause my own hair to grow back?

No it won’t, however it has been reported that that blood flow to the scalp has seemed improved in certain individuals due to the effect of the needle penetrating the skin. This may, and we emphasize may have a positive effect on your own hair growth but there are no guarantees.

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Will I need to keep my hair cut short?

Yes and no. If you have had the treatment to cover bald areas of the scalp you will need to keep your hair short to reduce the contrast between your own hairs and the treatment. If you have had the treatment in between your existing hair to create the illusion of greater thickness, no, as the replicated follicles are there purely to reduce the contrast between your hair and scalp much like a concealer or thickener spray, only permanent.

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Having areas of total baldness, what is the correct length to keep my existing hair?

We recommend the daily use of a 3 head rotary electric shaver. This will literally take around 1 minute to complete each morning and doesn’t require you to cut it as low as wet shaving. This process leaves you with the perfect 5 o’clock shadow look. The length of your hair should be a 0-0.5mm. 

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How long will the SMP process take 

Each treatment takes 2-4 sessions depending on the extent of your hair loss. How the skin heals, its condition and your aftercare will also play a factor in how many sessions are needed. Each session is about 2-5 hours long and spaced 7-14 days apart for sessions 1 and 2, and 2-4 weeks apart for session 3. Inkd SMP will follow up with clients 4-6 weeks after your last session for any final blending or 4th sessions. 

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What will my treatment cost? 

The cost of your treatment will depend on the total area to be covered and the density that you will require to match your existing natural growth pattern. As everyone has varying requirements, we will provide you with a quotation following consultation, which can be as simple as uploading or emailing photos for assessment. Skype consultations are also a simple way of assessing your requirements. Whichever method you choose, you will know the cost prior to your treatment. The cost of SMP is far less than transplant surgery and does not come with the continual financial commitments associated with medication programs or hair piece maintenance. On average our clients will fall within the $1500 - $2900 range for their treatments.

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Will I require ongoing treatment?

No...well, maybe. What we mean by this is that the treatment is permanent and maintenance free, however everyone’s skin and genetic makeup is different, and these differences can mean that one person will experience very little if any fading whereas the next person may require a darkening procedure after a few years. One of the major factors influencing these possible colour changes is sun exposure as it can influence the long-term stability of the pigments, so we advise the use of high factor sun block to minimize the likelihood of having to undergo a future touch up.

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How long will my treatment last? 

The pigments used for SMP are very stable once implanted into the skin. This is due to the absence of oils (glycerine, witch hazel etc). This ensures the treatment will in general not require reapplication for a number of years. Having said that, everyone’s skin is different in its makeup so touch ups may be required after a few years. They are a simple procedure requiring only a few hours to complete and once again bring the treatment back to looking like new.

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Will SMP match my hair and blend unnoticeably? 

In order to duplicate your natural hair colour, we blend pigments to achieve an almost exact match. The process of SMP continues to the boundary of your existing hair, and we work slightly within this boundary to achieve a subtle blending by placing pigment amongst your own hairs. The process creates a seamless transition? 

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What if my hair turns grey or recedes further? 

Whatever colour your hair, when it is cut close to the scalp it will appear to be a shade of grey, ranging from light silver grey to almost black. It is also worth noting that the pigment in general, fades in colour at a similar rate to that in which the hair turns grey. As the Melanocytes produce less melanin with age the hair colour becomes lighter. 

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My hair is already grey, and when cut short is barely visible. How can SMP work for me? 

Clients with very little natural colour to their hair can choose to have their complete scalp treated in a colour that suits their particular requirements. The SMP process provides complete flexibility, enabling you to choose a look that suits your personal taste. Most clients will choose to have a treatment which recreates the hairline, temples and crown which will then be subtly faded downwards. The shaved sides and nape areas are kept that way to create a “faded” appearance.

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My hair is red, ginger, blonde etc. How can SMP work for me if it’s just black ink? 

When you look at a strand of hair from the side you can see the colour, but when viewed from the end it is a shade of grey. This can be anything from black all the way down the grey scale to a light silver blonde. When the hair is cut to the appropriate length i.e. 5 o’clock shadow it appears a shade of grey and your treatment is applied accordingly. The ink is graded and modified to the correct shade.

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I’ve seen photos of very defined, straight hairlines on other websites. Do I have to have this look? 

Your new hairline will be designed to suit your personal requirements prior to starting the procedure. The options for your frontal hairline range from soft and staggered to crisp and straight, the choice is entirely yours. You can choose a soft hairline or one that is more defined, dark or light coverage, or simply just have your receding hairline recreated.

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Can SMP be used to treat Alopecia? 

When we say we can treat Alopecia, we mean we can disguise it. The treatment of Alopecia is a science unto itself and we cannot provide treatment to prevent or cure this problem. What we can provide, and very successfully, is masking of the balding areas on permanent forms of alopecia only. These treatments are done very carefully and we allow extra healing time as the skin can be unpredictable. 

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What about long-term maintenance? 

The only ongoing maintenance will be to have your naturally growing hair cropped according to your individual growth rate and the look is complete and maintenance free. We do suggest that you wear a good quality high factor sun block whenever you are outdoors as over exposure to UV light will cause the pigment to fade over time. 

 

What effect will your treatment have on hair transplants?

Should you have undergone hair transplant surgery, SMP is a great adjunct to increase the appearance of density much like a concealer or thickener spray, only permanent. We place pigments between the transplanted follicles to reduce the contrast between the scalp and the hair to create the illusion of greater thickness. Our treatment can also mask the scars you have in the donor sites from your surgery so you will once again be able to wear your hair short without embarrassment. If you were to consider transplant surgery after undergoing SMP, there would be no complications as our procedure is purely cosmetic and would have no detrimental effect on the newly transplanted hair. 

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What types of pigments are used, and are they safe? 

We use only a natural carbon and water based pigment created specifically for Scalp Micro- pigmentation only, that has been formulated to set in the skin of the scalp once implanted, resulting in very fine, crisp, and clear follicle replications. We do not use regular tattoo inks or permanent make-up pigments as the quality is not conducive to SMP.

 

Can your pigments be used for body tattooing? 

No, our micro pigments should not be used for body tattoos. The pigments we use have not been formulated for permanent cosmetics nor for the deeper penetration into the skin as done in body tattooing. Traditionally, tattoo inks and permanent make-up pigments are formulated for deeper penetration and the deeper the penetration the more likely the pigments will migrate and join together. This is not an issue with a regular tattoo but with SMP we need to achieve complete and distinct separation between the stubble replications to create a natural look. 

 

Do your pigments change colour?

No, our pigments do not contain green or blue. It is the deterioration of the Iron Oxides in regular tattoo inks and PMU pigments that cause discolouration. During the initial healing process, the new skin growing over the “punctures” can throw off a blue hue. This is due to the natural cool tones of some clients and will remedy itself over a brief period. 

 

Will I feel pain during the process? 

The majority of clients who have undergone this procedure have told us that after the first 20 minutes they get used to the sensation. Each client has a different experience, but SMP is quite tolerable. People of all ages and genders have undergone the SMP process, and we have received comments that it ranges from the feeling of a deep massage to being slightly uncomfortable at times. Clients who have regular tattoos say the mild discomfort is nothing by comparison. Because SMP penetrates the skin with a micro needle that is approximately 0.2mm in diameter at the insertion depth, there is very little bleeding if any. There will however be an amount of redness that usually subsides over the following few hours. 

 

Is anyone a candidate for the SMP process?

People who have skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, or a history of skin cancer may not be a good candidate. Prior to treatment all clients are required to complete a medical history questionnaire and consent form, from which an informed decision will be made as to your suitability. Should you require a copy of these prior to your appointment we will be happy to provide them for you. It is recommended you get your doctors clearance when unsure 

 

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Am I a suitable candidate for SMP?

Do you have a receding hairline or suffer from male pattern baldness? 

Would you like to give the impression of even thicker natural hair coverage? 

Would you like to give the impression of even thicker hair after transplants? 

Have you had Plug Grafts and would like to rid yourself of the “Dolls Hair” look? 

Do you want to cover scars from an accident or transplant surgery?

Do you wish to achieve the look of a person with a full head of hair who chooses to adopt

the short-cropped or “buzz cut” look as sported by many stars and athletes? 

Do you wish to avoid costly and invasive transplant procedures?

Do you wish to avoid wearing a wig, toupee or hair piece?

Have you tried the pills and lotions only to find that you need to have a good head of hair in the first place to achieve any discernible result? 

Would you like to remove your wig or hairpiece in the summer months and look like youhave just been to your Barber for a buzz cutt? 

Do you want to avoid the embarrassment of the “O.M.G.” reaction when someone touchesyour hairpiece, or gets concealer from your hair on their hands? 

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you are probably a candidate. The reason we say probably is that an accurate assessment can only be made following a consultation and assessment, which can be as simple as providing us with a few photos of your treatment area.