Moderate to extensive hair loss is a common phenomenon in men in their late forties. If you have experienced hair loss and seek affordable alternatives to hair transplants, you may want to consider getting a hair tattoo or a scalp micropigmentation procedure.

What is a hair tattoo?

A hair tattoo is a non-surgical procedure that involves carrying out cosmetic pigmentation on the scalp. That produces an illusion of very short hair on the scalp, similar to what a buzz haircut might look like. It is useful for concealing bald spots, hair loss due to health conditions, scars due to burns, or thinning hairlines.

How does the hair tattoo procedure work?

When you first visit the scalp micropigmentation (SMP) practitioner, he or she will examine your scalp and discuss what portion of it you want to get tattooed. The practitioner will inform you of what is involved in the procedure and how many treatments you might need to get the desired result. He or she will also inform you of the tattoo ink that might best suit you and the cost of the entire procedure.

On the day of the procedure, the SMP practitioner will clean your scalp and mark the scalp area that is to be treated. He or she may use a numbing agent to reduce the pain of the procedure and you may experience only a little discomfort. The hair tattoo procedure involves implanting ink pigment into the upper epidermal layer of the skin. Using an electric tattoo, the scalp micropigmentation practitioner will create numerous tiny dots in different hues of black. Together, the layered dot tattoos will create a natural-looking appearance.

Depending on your requirement, you may need to get three or four micropigmentation treatment sessions with at least a week between them. Spacing out the treatments in this way will allow your scalp to recover and rejuvenate. While the treatment is going on, you must take care to not wet your scalp or expose it to direct sunlight for at least four days after each session.

The SMP treatment is considered to produce a permanent effect, but the color will likely fade as your scalp skin exfoliates naturally and you may need to touch up the scalp area after five to eight years. The dot tattoos may also fade faster on dry skin, so you will need to take care to moisturize your scalp regularly.

What is the cost of the hair tattoo procedure?

The cost of the hair tattoo procedure can depend on how much of your scalp you want to tattoo and the treatments you need require to get the effect you desire. The cost can also vary according to how well-trained and experienced the SMP practitioner is, the following the SMP center has, and the city in which the center is located. Generally, though, the price for tattooing a small scalp area may be between $400 to $1000.

What are the benefits of the hair tattoo procedure?

The main benefit of the scalp micropigmentation procedure is that it can quickly produce a satisfying result. The procedure does not take a long time to do and it heals fast. It is generally safe and long-lasting and requires little maintenance over the years.

What are the risks of the hair tattoo procedure?

While the scalp micropigmentation procedure is generally safe, there are also some risks involved that you should be aware of before you go ahead with it. The tattoo ink can cause allergic reactions in some people. There can also be a risk of infection.

It is important to discuss these risks with the SMP practitioner and ask about the safety measures they take to mitigate them. It is advisable that you also check if the practitioner has a certification of SMP training, a blood-borne pathogens certification, and an operation area health permit. The center should also have a clean, sterile environment. Look at their tattoo portfolio and read customer reviews.

When the practitioner carries out the procedure, he or she should wear gloves, masks, and other appropriate protective gear. You should make sure that the needles come well-packaged and ask him or her to open them in front of you.