In general NO! We numb the area beforehand with a topical tubing cream. The 5% lidocaine formula dulls the nerve endings meaning the client will feel less of a sting and more of a felling of being tapped by a sharp pencil. Pain tolerance and nerve ending are different for everyone, bust most clients rate any pain at a 2 -10. A lot of client like the felling and describe it as “ the ultimate head scratch”. After having it done ourselves, we describe the felling as “ getting tapped with a sharp pencil”.

Scalp micro pigmentation is relatively new as far as hair loss solutions go. There are many variable factors that make it almost impossible to give an accurate answer. As a general rule, client shouldn’t need any touch ups or refreshers for at least 3-5 years. The length of time the SMP lasts will be affected by not only skin type but also how you look after their skin and how much exposure they have to sun over the years. Like any tattoo, UV rays can fade the tattoo over time. This doesn’t mean clients need to worry about going outside at all, however they should know that over time it can fade the pigment.

When performing SMP we usually cover a much larger area than is currently needed. We have to consider the age of the client, hair loss pattern and reason for hair loss to determine an area that allows for any future hair loss that may occur. Typically, if someone comes in and their hair is already half receded, we advise tattooing the whole top of the head and blending down into the “horse shoe”. That way we know that no matter how much more hair the client may lose, they’re covered.

For guys with short hair, generally speaking: YES. If the client is going for the shaved head look, then it’s time to commit and shave it! As far as performing the procedure I always advise a 0 or 1, basically short as possible without being clean shaven as we need to see a little stubble to blend it in properly. If the client has just thinned hair all over and is requiring more density, shaving isn’t necessary. However, working through hair is a completely different ball game and we advise that it is a lot more time consuming, therefore the price will reflect that.

We use a charcoal based organic pigments. They are all of the grey scale to mimic the shade of the hair follicles. These ink do not change color over time. They will lighten a little over time as any tattoo will , but at that point it’s just a matter of coming in for a 1 session refresher which should generally be every few years.

We use a very small single needle (1RL) OR when needed an extremely small 3RL needle. They both have a specific taper which delivers the pigment beautifully as well as giving the most realistic impressions to mimic hair follicles.

UV rays can fade any tattoo. It’s perhaps not as dramatic as people think but it’s always a good idea to look after you skin and wear sunblock whether you are tattooed or not. As skin is exposed to sun it generally darkens which can make the pigment appear lighter when in fact it’s just that it doesn’t look as dark in the tanned skin.

This questions come up a lot and there’s really no ONE answer. If you still have hair that is thinning it can actually look good to let it grow out to a #1 or 2 as it adds a little density to the SMP. If you have no hair at all it’s more important to keep it fresh buzzed. It’s really up the individual, but every finds that sweet spot the suits them best.

Generally speaking with a full head of SMP: shave down to a .5 or 1 every 2-3 days. Once again, this one is up to the individual but it’s a lot less work than styling your hair!

Appointment can very depending on the specific service. It’s best to plan for several hours. Minimum of 2.5 up to 4 hours.

The average client will be satisfied with the results after 3 to 4 sessions. During the first session we will be more conservative, and we can adjust to personal taste during follow up sessions.

Pricing can vary greatly depending on the specific service and possible follow up touch ups. To get the best estimate we plan a free consultation.