Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) to create the appearance of hair follicle pigment dots on the scalp, simulating a close-shaved or densified hair appearance. Suitable for men and women with alopecia, hair thinning, or scar coverage needs. Sessions run thirty minutes to several hours depending on the area treated, across two to four appointments spaced at least ten days apart. Results associated with lasting three to five years.

City Facial Plastics offers scalp micropigmentation (SMP) as a non-surgical, semi-permanent hair loss solution that uses specialised cosmetic pigment deposited into the scalp dermis to replicate the visual appearance of hair follicle cross-sections — the fine dark dots visible on a shaved or very closely cropped scalp. SMP is a technique-intensive procedure requiring precise control of needle depth, pigment density, and dot diameter to produce results that are cohesive and natural rather than appearing as a tattoo; the practitioner works across the scalp in small, overlapping zones, varying the dot size and pressure to simulate the natural variation in follicle size and spacing. It is suitable for a wide range of hair loss presentations: male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) at any Norwood stage, female pattern hair loss (diffuse thinning where the procedure adds visual density without sharp frontal hairline placement), alopecia areata or totalis (where SMP may cover patchy or complete scalp loss), traction alopecia scar coverage, and — particularly relevant in the surgical practice at City Facial Plastics — FUE and FUT scar camouflage for patients whose harvest sites or strip scars require concealment. The pigments used in SMP are formulated to resist the warm-toned fading that generic tattoo inks undergo over time; however, UV exposure and individual skin chemistry affect longevity, and most patients require a refresh session every three to five years to maintain colour intensity. Sessions at City Facial Plastics run from thirty minutes for small scar coverage to several hours for full scalp coverage, typically completed across two to four appointments spaced at least ten days apart to allow initial pigment settling and enable the practitioner to layer density progressively without over-saturation.