Care for Your Scalp

SMP Pre and Post Procedure FAQ's

Aftercare

SMP Pre and Post Procedure Instructions

SMP Pre and Post Procedure FAQ's

Aftercare

After Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), proper aftercare is crucial for optimal healing and pigment retention. Key steps include keeping the scalp dry and clean for the first few days, avoiding sun exposure, and gentle washing and moisturizing once healing progresses.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of SMP aftercare:

Initial 48-72 Hours
Keep the scalp dry: Avoid washing your head, showering, or exposing the treated area to water.
Avoid sweating: Refrain from strenuous exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating.
Protect from sun: Stay out of direct sunlight, and wear a hat or use sunscreen.
Avoid touching the scalp: Don't scratch, rub, or touch the treated area to prevent irritation or infection.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Limit consumption of alcohol and caffeine for 24-48 hours, as they can increase blood flow and delay healing.
Avoid harsh hair products: Refrain from using any hair products, including shampoos, conditioners, or styling products.

Days 3-7
Gentle cleansing: After the initial 48-72 hours, gently wash your scalp with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free shampoo.
Moisturize: Apply a light, fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent dryness and itching.
Continue to avoid sun exposure: Continue to protect your scalp from the sun.
Avoid strenuous activity: Continue to avoid activities that cause excessive sweating.
Avoid swimming and steam rooms: Refrain from swimming pools, saunas, and steam rooms for at least 10 days.
Be gentle with your scalp: Avoid scratching or picking at your scalp, and be gentle when drying your hair.

Beyond Day 7

Continue gentle cleansing and moisturizing: Maintain a gentle cleansing and moisturizing routine.
Protect from sun: Continue to protect your scalp from the sun, even after the initial healing period.
Avoid harsh hair products: Continue to avoid harsh hair products.
Consult your technician: Follow any specific aftercare instructions provided by your SMP technician.
Be patient: It takes time for the scalp to fully heal and the pigments to settle. gentle cleansing and moisturizing: Maintain a gentle cleansing and moisturizing routine.

Scalp Micropigmentation Pre and Post Procedure Instructions

Pre-Care Instructions

Wash your scalp with a non-abrasive, gentle shampoo the week prior to your procedure. If experiencing breakouts on your scalp please see a dermatologist or appropriate medical doctor to resolve this issue prior to your procedure.

After washing the scalp, moisturize the skin with some form of skin moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Doing so will allow the ink to be properly absorbed.
Refrain from sun tanning to avoid burning and peeling of the skin.
If you are extremely sensitive to pain, mention before treatment for possible options or seek medical advice prior to procedure.
You may bring a clean hat or scarf to loosely cover your head after the treatment, if so desired.
Please do not wear a hair piece at least 10-14 days prior to your scheduled procedure. As wearing a hair piece may limit oxygen flow to the scalp and the ink may not be fully absorbed into the follicle.
Please do not use a razor on your scalp within 24 hours of the scheduled procedure. It is critical that we see all native hair in order to properly blend the hair follicles.

For Seven Days After Procedure

Do not touch the healing pigmented area with your fingers, they may have bacteria on them and create an infection.

Apply your favorite antibiotic ointment or Vaseline 3-5 times daily until the procedure area has healed. Always use a clean cotton swab and not your fingertips.
No make-up, sun, soap, sauna, Jacuzzi, swimming in chlorine pools or in the recreational bodies of water, contact with animals, gardening for 7-10 days, (until area is completely healed) post procedure and after all touch-ups.
Before bathing, gently apply a light coating of Vaseline on the procedure area using a clean cotton swab. Continue this regime until the procedure area has completely healed.
Do not rub or traumatize the procedure area while it is healing (pigment may be removed along with crusting tissue).
Use a “total sun block” after the procedure area has healed to prevent future fading of pigment color.
Do not use products that contain AHA’s on the procedure area. Example: Glycolic, Lactic Acids. Always check your product labeling, it will fade your pigment color!
If you are a blood donor, you may not give blood for 1 year following your Permanent Make-up application (per Red Cross).
Touch-up visits should be scheduled between 30-45 days post procedure. All
Permanent Make-up procedures are a two-step process. Results are not determined until touch-up application is completed.
If you have any questions or concerns please notify your technician immediately.
If you experience any itching, swelling, blistering or any other complications post-procure, stop using product and call your technician immediately. You may be allergic to the aftercare product you are using!
Please follow these instructions for the best healing.

Scalp Micropigmentation Pre and Post Procedure FAQ's

How many sessions will I need?

Most clients will require 2-3 sessions. Aggressive fading often associated with treatments by other providers is uncommon when using genuine Permablend Ink as the formulation is the highest quality. Additional treatments will increase the density or the number of ink dots in one area. More density will result in a darker, more natural look, which will help integrate the procedure into any remaining hair. However, it’s always better to work conservatively and not do too much too quick. If you are covering scars, you are more likely to require more sessions as scar tissue absorbs ink more readily, resulting in more significant fading. Treatments on clients with Alopecia may still be completed after 2-3 sessions. However, the sessions are likely to be longer, especially if the client is suffering from aggressive Alopecia Areata, patchy hair loss, or Alopecia Totalis, the total loss of all head hair.

Is the treatment painful?

Scalp Micropigmenation requires a small needle to be inserted into the upper dermis of the scalp. A certain amount of discomfort is inevitable; however, most clients report the sensation to be nothing more than mildly irritating, even therapeutic. The general consensus is that the pain varies from a 3-4 out of 10. Some parts of the scalp, for example the temporal regions and the hairline, can be more sensitive. Additionally, some people experience more discomfort than others, and people who have used hair systems for a long period of time, or have a significant amount of scar tissue to cover, are also prone to a higher pain level. Pain can be minimized with an over the counter painkiller before each session as well as with application of numbing products.

What is the recovery period?

You will experience some redness and swelling on the scalp for a few days after the procedure. The pigment initially will appear a few shades darker and can take one to seven days to lighten, and in rarer cases up to 14 days. Bruising can also occur which may cause the treated area to appear darker or to appear slightly blue. This is relatively uncommon affecting approx. 1 in 10 clients, and goes away after a few days.

I’m a hair system user.

If you normally wear a hair system, rug, or hairpiece, be sure to NOT to wear the hair system for 10-14 days to allow skin to breathe. By not doing so, you will take the chance that the procedure will not take properly.

I have transplant scars.

Scar tissue reacts different for each client, so therefore, those areas will be approached with extra caution and may require a greater number of treatments. In addition, you should come back within five to seven days or when swelling disappears for a session that strengthens the fast fading pigment in the scar area. Treatment duration ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the treated area.

I have recently undergone laser treatment.

Scar tissue reacts different for each client, so again, those areas will be approached with extra caution and may require a greater number of treatments. In addition, the client should come back within five to seven days or when swelling disappears for a session that strengthens the fast fading pigment in the scar area. Treatment duration ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the treated area.