Pros and Cons of Scalp Micropigmentation: One Year On

Almost a year ago, in the early months of 2018, I decided to bite the bullet and accept the inevitability that was my hair loss. With my hairline beginning to recede as early as 18 and thin in my early 20s, the time had finally come for my date with the hair clippers.

I had been using Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine, or Regain, depending on where you live) for a number of years to slow the process, but as I felt this expensive, inconvenient and messy uphill battle draw to a close, I weighed up the alternatives to what seemed like an unavoidable, shiny headed fate.

Fortunately, in the depths of my internet searches, I stumbled across Scalp Micropigmentation, and I’m glad I did.

In fact, I wish I’d come across it sooner.

It’s been just about a year since my head went under the needle, and here are the pros and cons relating to the aftermath, as well as the procedure itself.

Pros:

It’s done.

Most hair-loss “solutions” (I use that term loosely) involve an expensive, time consuming and often messy daily, or twice daily, regimen.

Pills, ointments, creams and shampoo are often utilised in tandem to keep the bald patch at bay, and while they can be effective, it’s not exactly a cruisy experience.

I remember constantly packing (or forgetting to pack) my foam and special shampoo when staying at my girlfriend’s place or travelling interstate, or ensuring to order my next supply before my last can of foam ran out.

Fortunately, once SMP is done, it’s done.

I shave my head with a razor every few days and that’s it. Easy.

No-one will believe you when you say it’s a tattoo.

The question I get asked the most by long-term friends is “why did you shave your head?” closely followed by “why don’t you grow out your hair again?”

When I inform them that it’s a tattoo, and that i’ve infact lost the majority of the hair on top, most people think I’m joking, or want to examine it closely to see if I’m pulling their leg.

Unlike hair transplants gone wrong, hair-pieces or holding onto that fading hairline, SMP looks completely natural and fantastic.

There are no on-going costs.

Bar the touch-up you may need a few years down the track if you get too much sunshine (just like any tattoo), unlike other forms of hair treatments, SMP doesn’t carry any ongoing costs.

This is a huge factor considering the expensive upfront cost of hair-transplants, multiple procedures (which are often required) and ongoing medications, shampoos and topical treatments.

If you don’t believe me, grab a “free consult” at your local hair loss clinic and you’ll see what I mean…

Plus, think of all the money you’ll save over the years on hair products, hair-cuts and shampoo/conditioner.

Cons:

There are only two real “downsides” to having SMP, which involve the procedure itself.

The first being the experience of having your scalp tattooed, and the second relating to the slight inconvenience of aftercare for the week after your procedure.

For anyone who has been tattooed, SMP is a little less painful, but it isn’t exactly “pleasant”. The pain is nowhere near unbearable, and I found it quite easy to hold a conversation while having the tattoo done.

The only inconvenience of the aftercare protocol is not wetting your head, or sweating for the following three days. This means a few days off the gym and keeping your head dry in the shower.

This was definitely not a deal-breaker or massive inconvenience by any means.

And there you have it. Do the pros outweigh the cons? Absolutely.

SMP is a cost-effective, minimally invasive procedure which offers a low-maintenance hair loss solution with minimal downsides!