Frequently Asked Questions

Scalp Micropigmentation, which is sometimes referred to as hair tattoo, can give you many different outcomes, from creating the illusion of a thicker looking head of hair, restoring a receded hairline, covering thinning or bald patches, and even camouflaging scars. SMP looks like many microdots of pigment which are applied to the scalp in and around the hairline to achieve your desired outcome. To view our Gallery and see for yourself the difference that SMP can make for you, click here.

The cost for Scalp Micropigmentation with Foli Sim will depend upon the pattern of hair loss, the size of the scalp area that is required to be covered, and if you have any scars on the scalp. When you visit for your free initial consultation, your SMP artist will assess the above elements and tailor a recommended treatment plan with a total price, prior to commencing any treatments. Our indicative pricing guide sets out what you may expect to pay by degree of hair loss.

If you would like a personalised quote to begin your hair loss solution journey, fill in this Consultation Form, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a written quotation.

Alternatively, call us on 1300 668 490 to book your free, no-obligation consultation at our Perth, Sydney or Melbourne-based studios.

Yes, Scalp Micropigmentation does look natural! We use specialised pigments and equipment designed to replicate the appearance of your natural hair follicles. Our highly skilled artists colour match the pigment to your existing hair and skin tone, tailoring the procedure to suit your desired outcome; density, shaven look or scar camouflage.

Click here to view our Gallery of satisfied clients who have experienced life-changing results with Foli Sim’s hair tattoo.

Yes, we can! With Scalp Micropigmentation you are able to fully customise a hairline and style that fits you. Our skilled artists will carry out a comprehensive consultation with you as you commence your journey with Foli Sim, talking through what is important to you and what desired results you are hoping to achieve. Before starting your SMP sessions you will know exactly what is achievable and what you should expect the end result to look like.

In most cases, 2-4 sessions are required to achieve optimal results with your SMP and desired look. We recommend 7-14 days between sessions to ensure your scalp has time to heal and will take to the next round of pigment as best as possible.

Your first two sessions are where we build the density of your hair tattoo, while the third session completes the feathering and definition aspect of the procedure. Should a fourth session be required, your artist will communicate this with you in your initial, free consultation, so there will be no surprises at the end!

Hear from our satisfied client, Dave Lee, who was a happy client of Kate Dawes, a Leading Practitioner in our Foli Sim Perth studio

It is possible that with time and sun exposure, the pigment can lighten slightly. It may be necessary to see us in the future for a touch-up, just to bring the appearance back to its original high standard. Sun exposure and skin type can have an effect on the time between touch-ups that may be required, but this can be a matter of years down the track. We can also touch up or add more density if you experience further hair loss in the future.

Following your SMP treatments, it is very important to take care of the treated area to ensure a successful long-term result. We recommend the use of a good-quality sunscreen and always wearing a hat while exposed to the sun. These small measures will help to ensure the appearance of your hair tattoo and ensure your procedure stays looking as it was originally intended by your artist, protecting you from damaging UV rays that can interfere with the work.

We cannot guarantee you won’t feel a thing, as some areas of the scalp may be more sensitive than others. For example, you may feel the treatment more in the temple areas as opposed to the crown area.

Most of our clients remark that although they feel some discomfort during the SMP process, it is certainly bearable and not as painful as getting a traditional tattoo.

One of the advantages of SMP, or hair tattooing, is that you can increase your coverage should you ever experience further hair loss in the future. The same goes if you find you wish to add further density or thickness in certain areas. Some also decide to eventually cover their entire scalp, creating an entirely new hairline for themselves, which is also achievable!

The benefit of SMP is not only the immediate impact on your confidence and appearance but the long-term flexibility it can provide you, with continued options depending on the amount of hair loss you may experience in the future.

Hear from Leading Practitioner, Kate Dawes, as she explains the personal benefits of having Scalp Micropigmentation.

SMP is a form of permanent cosmetic tattooing, but unlike some traditional tattooing or permanent makeup, the specialised pigment is designed to maintain the intended colour. The pigment may only lighten, not discolour over time. The difference is, at Foli Sim we utilise specialised pigments designed only for Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP).

Yes, at Foli Sim we guarantee each treatment from start to finish, with a 12-month satisfaction guarantee commencing from the completion of your 3rd session. The guarantee is valid for clients who attend the full series of recommended sessions as outlined by your SMP artist in your initial consultation.

If you wish to contact us with a follow-up question or want to know more about how and why we guarantee our results, get in touch with us now. Call: 1300 668 490

We offer six months of interest-free finance through our finance partners, ZipMoney. You can read more about our Payment Plans here, or speak to one of our friendly team members about your finance options, contact us today. Call: 1300 668 490

If your remaining hair begins greying, it is easily fixed. Simply make a booking to have a touch-up and our artist will go over the existing SMP with a pigment shade that matches the greying areas.

Gentle exercise is fine after day two following your procedure. However, we recommend that you refrain from excessive sweating until the scalp has completely healed.

Yes, a clean hat can be worn following your SMP treatment.

We provide a comprehensive list detailing how to care for your scalp before and after your SMP treatment. Find our document here: Aftercare PDF

Your artist looks at the pattern and stage of your hair loss, how much scalp needs covering, your skin tone and how it is likely to hold pigment, the colour and texture of remaining hair, and any scarring. They will also ask about family history and how quickly you have been losing hair, because a plan that ignores likely progression can date badly. Only then is a session count proposed.

It depends on the result you are after. For a buzz-cut or shaven look, you will usually be asked to clip the hair short beforehand so your artist can see the whole canvas and blend the work evenly. For density treatment on thinning hair, you keep your normal hairstyle. Your artist will tell you exactly what is needed when your first session is booked.

SMP is applied to the skin between follicles rather than into them, so it is not a treatment that removes or destroys existing hair. That said, an SMP artist should be working carefully around the hair you have, which is one reason technique and experience matter. If you have concerns about the condition of your remaining hair, raise them at consultation: our Director is also a registered trichologist.

All treatments are carried out in Australian Health Department Certified studios by artists holding industry-standard infection control certification. Needles are single-use and disposed of after every client, equipment is medical grade, and procedures take place in private, sterile treatment rooms. You are entitled to ask any SMP provider to show their certification, and we are happy to.

Sessions are normally spaced 7 to 14 days apart so the scalp can heal between them, which limits how tightly they can be compressed. Many clients travel to us and we do our best to schedule around flights and accommodation, sometimes by grouping sessions across two trips. Tell us your situation when you enquire and we will work out what is achievable before you book anything.

Tell your artist as early as possible. Because the work is built across sessions, adjustments to density, hairline shape or tone can usually be made before the series is complete, which is why we stay in contact throughout rather than waiting until the end. Completed treatments also carry a 12-month satisfaction guarantee starting from the completion of your 3rd session.

Often yes, but it depends on the condition and whether it is currently active: pigment is not applied over inflamed, broken or flaring skin. Your artist will assess your scalp at consultation and may ask you to speak to your GP or dermatologist first. This is a genuine medical question rather than an aesthetic one, so we would rather delay a booking than proceed on an unstable scalp.

Many clients do, and the two are often used together: medication works on the hair you still have while SMP addresses how the scalp looks. Tell your artist what you are taking at consultation, including anything that affects skin or bleeding, and check with your prescribing doctor if you are unsure. We do not give medical advice on medication.

Yes. SMP sits on the scalp's upper dermal layer and does not interfere with finasteride, minoxidil or other treatments, so many clients continue their routine alongside it. Tell your artist what you are using at the consultation: medication that thickens existing hair can change how much density we need to create, and that affects how we plan the sessions. If your hair loss is still progressing quickly, we will discuss timing with you.

Your artist will give you specific written aftercare, because timing varies with how much work was done and how your scalp responds. The general principle is leaving the treated area alone initially, then returning to gentle washing without scrubbing, harsh products or hot water. Following that guidance properly has a real effect on how well the pigment settles, so it is worth taking seriously.

There is no surgical downtime: no incisions, stitches or anaesthetic recovery. Expect the treated area to look pink or slightly red for a few hours afterwards, and to feel a little tender. Most men go back to work and ordinary activities the same day or the next. The restrictions in your aftercare are about heavy sweating and sun exposure rather than about resting.

Yes, and it is one of the more common reasons men come to us. Pigment can be worked over both strip-harvest lines and the dotted pattern left by follicular unit extraction, bringing the scar tissue closer to the tone of the surrounding scalp. How much improvement is achievable depends on the scar's width, texture and how evenly it takes pigment, so these cases are assessed in person first.