Will Scalp Micropigmentation Cause Hair Loss?

A big question that gets asked a lot (besides the obvious “what is Scalp Micropigmentation?“), is whether or not it will cause or accelerate hair loss. The simple, straightforward answer is ‘no’, but let’s have a look at why that’s the case and why SMP is a safe choice for those concerned about diffuse thinning and hair loss.

Hair Follicles and Pigmentation

Hair follicles are quite deep in the scalp, within the lower level of the dermis, approximately 4mm. SMP, when delivered by a skilled practitioner goes into the upper level of the dermis, which is about 0.5 – 1mm deep. Consequently, SMP treatment is non-invasive in terms of how it affects hair follicles; it simply doesn’t affect them at all.

For this reason, hair growth treatments and SMP can be used together without issue. Although many clients choose SMP as a long-term way of dealing with balding and thinning hair, it’s also suitable as a short- or medium-term way to disguise balding and thinning whilst hoping for hair growth with other treatments, such as topical creams and medical products.

If You’re Taking Medical Hair Growth Treatments

Propecia and Rogaine have proven effects for hair growth, but is it alright to take hair growth products in conjunction with SMP? Yes – for instance, you can continue to take hair growth products in conjunction with SMP to cover up balding or thinning areas of the scalp.

As mentioned in the previous point, hair growth treatments can be used with SMP as a means to cover up any balding or thinning areas of the scalp in the meantime. This combination of treatments is something you should always discuss with your GP, but provided that they’ve green-lit you to use SMP with medically-approved hair growth treatments, you may find that you benefit from concealing signs of balding or thinning as well as the benefits of hair regrowth in problematic areas. Also, it’s very important to notify your SMP artist if you are using any hair growth treatments. In some cases, during the healing process of SMP, you may need to stop using any topical treatments. Your artist will be able to discuss this further with you.

SMP as a Remedy to Hair Loss

Definitions matter here, so let’s be clear that SMP is not a cure for hair loss. It is aesthetic only. SMP will neither promote nor hinder hair growth or hair loss; it simply adds micro tattoos that replicate the look of thicker, denser looking hair. Mind you, they achieve this quite well and it looks very authentic, but nevertheless it’s an aesthetic modification only.

If you’d like to address the root causes of hair loss and mitigate thinning or alopecia, your best recourse will be to speak with your GP or Trichologist about treatment methods. Hair transplants and hair growth products such as Rogaine are available choices for many who simply cannot bear the thought of losing their hair.

Although SMP is not a cure for hair loss, it can remedy the negative effects of anxiety when it comes to hair loss and thinning hair by effectively disguising and blending in bald spots or thinning patches. In this sense, SMP is certainly a viable remedy for the important appearance factor of hair loss, and it’s an excellent long-term solution for many.

Foli Sim

Get in touch with us at Foli Sim Scalp Micropigmentation today to learn more about our services and to obtain a quote.