Is scalp micropigmentation (SMP) the same as getting a tattoo on your head? Is it just as painful? And which one works better as a camouflage for thinning hair?
In this article based on his educational video, Dr. John Watts — dermatologist, trichologist and hair transplant surgeon in Hyderabad — clears up the confusion between the two and explains why they are not the same.
When is SMP used?
“In general, SMP is undertaken when one is battling thinning hair and there is not much scope for a hair transplant procedure due to lack of sufficient donor hair. It is also used to artistically arrest the receding hairline using high-quality permanent colours that camouflage by accurately matching their hair colour,” explains Dr. John Watts.
Why tattoos hurt more than SMP
The difference comes down to skin depth. The scalp has three layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
“In tattooing, there are greater chances of experiencing pain as the process can touch the dermis and hypodermis region of the skin. The tattoo artiste can injure the innermost layer, i.e. the hypodermis, and this may make it painful as it leads to inflammation when the dermal plexus gets affected, disrupting the blood supply to the hair follicle,” informs Dr. John Watts.
SMP, in contrast, is done at the superficial layer of the scalp — the epidermis. This makes it a painless process.
Fading: black turning bluish-green
A tattoo can start fading from black to a bluish and then greenish tint after about two months. With SMP, the pigment stays much longer, though 2-3 sessions may be required to give the artistic hair design a natural look on the scalp.
“The SMP process can perfectly camouflage the natural-looking hair when the designs are done with perfect planning,” adds Dr. Watts.
Advantages of SMP over tattooing
- If dense-looking hair is not possible through a hair transplant because of insufficient donor hair, SMP can complement the result.
- The hairline can be redesigned with SMP to give a different, natural look.
- SMP can be removed easily. A tattoo cannot be removed without damaging the skin — a costly laser procedure may remove it, but the skin and its smoothness can get affected.
- SMP is also useful for those unhappy with the results of a previous hair transplant, and people with thinning hair can opt for it alongside alternatives like bio fibre or a hair patch.
- “The other key advantages that SMP offers include permanent eyebrows, 3-D eyebrow makeup and permanent eye lining,” informs Dr. John Watts.
The one disadvantage of SMP
SMP does not provide a permanent effect. “One disadvantage with SMP is that there may be a need to retouch the pigment after 2-3 years as it may start fading,” informs Dr. John.
The bottom line
SMP and tattooing may look similar from the outside, but they differ in depth, pain, fading and reversibility. For people with thinning hair who cannot get the density they want from a hair transplant, SMP offers a safe, painless and natural-looking camouflage — as long as you accept that a touch-up may be needed every few years.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is scalp micropigmentation the same as a tattoo?
No. SMP is done at the superficial epidermis layer of the scalp, while tattooing can reach the deeper dermis and hypodermis, which makes tattoos more painful and riskier for the skin.
Does SMP fade like a tattoo?
Tattoos can fade from black to a bluish-green tint within about two months. SMP pigment lasts much longer, though it may need a retouch after 2-3 years and usually requires 2-3 sessions initially.
Who should consider SMP?
SMP suits people with thinning hair who lack sufficient donor hair for a transplant, those wanting a denser look after a transplant, or those who want their hairline redesigned.
Can SMP be removed?
Yes, SMP can be removed easily. A tattoo, on the other hand, cannot be removed without a costly laser procedure that may damage the skin.
