Scalp Micropigmentation Orange County (SMP)

Scalp micropigmentation is a non-invasive procedure that implants 100% organic plant-based inks into the surface layer of the scalp. These deposits are strategically applied to recreate the look of real hair follicles to provide volume and body while replicating the appearance of a full head of hair. After the procedure is complete, you can wear your hair in any style you like. Clients who are fully bald will have the appearance of a tightly shorn crewcut.

Every client will need at least two treatments, performed within one week from each other. This is done to achieve the desired results since the skin tends to reject some portion of the pigment almost immediately after the first treatment. While you will notice a remarkable change in your appearance, the second treatment will deliver the expected results. In some instances, a third treatment may be necessary. This is typically performed anywhere from one to three months after the initial two treatments are administered.

An SMP treatment session usually takes two to four hours depending on the amount of work needed to achieve the desired result. The first of the two treatments will typically take more time as we construct your hairline and lay in the foundational layer of micropigmentation. The second treatment (and any further subsequent treatments) will often require a shorter length of time, but it's difficult to determine until we can see how much pigment has been retained by the skin from earlier treatments.

If three treatments are required to achieve the desired results, simply follow the post-treatment instructions for care and enjoy your new, natural-looking appearance. Every SMP treatment comes with a year-long guarantee, so in the event you experience some fading of the pigment, return for a free touch-up session. Otherwise, you won't need to come back for a few years.

Scalp micropigmentation is a permanent procedure but, much like with other forms of tattooing, the pigments will tend to fade or become lighter after about five to eight years. This is common for all of our clients and a touch-up treatment may be necessary to restore the quality of the pigments.

These are specific instructions to follow for four days after each treatment is administered to prevent the pigments from fading and avoid contamination of the scalp. These include no touching of the scalp, no washing or cutting your hair, and no excessive activities including workouts for the first 96 hours after the micropigmentation procedure. You may wear a hat or other head covering, if desired. You do not need to change your sleeping habits or position, the ink will not stain your pillow or bed sheets. See our attached PDF to review the post-treatment care instructions.

The scalp micropigmentation procedure is a non-invasive, non-surgical solution to thinning hair, therefore you will not require any recovery period or downtime after treatment. Simply follow the four day post-treatment instructions to enjoy the best possible results. Many of our clients will come into the office for an SMP treatment and then go back home and return to work right after the procedure is finished.

After the first treatment, the pigments typically appear darker and bolder for the first 24 hours. But once they settle into the skin, the pigments will soften and start to look more natural, like tightly shorn hair follicles. There will also be some detectable redness of the skin but this should also fade after roughly two or three days, depending on the sensitivity of the scalp. Each client is different, so these examples are average times. Your experience may vary.

Every client is different and the tolerance for pain or discomfort can vary from one person to the next. Most of our clients, particularly those who have tattoos, report that pain from an SMP treatment is not as intense. But we also want to ensure your full health and safety, so please discuss any concerns with your practitioner ahead of the treatment to ensure the procedure goes smoothly and you remain comfortable at all times.

We will determine the classification of your hair loss at your initial office consultation or online assessment and a treatment plan is developed for your class of hair loss and the hairstyle we recommend that would achieve the best results for scalp micropigmentation. For clients who fall under the Norwood 6-7 classification for hair loss, the shaved appearance will be recommended due to the amount of coverage necessary on the scalp.

Why? Because when the hair grows in along the back and the sides of the head, the SMP treatment will become more obvious as a noticeable contrast will be visible between the pigments and your naturally-growing hair. Not only will it be apparent that you have had SMP treatments, there is no way to match the two together seamlessly.

Adding volume and density at your current hairline or the crown of the head is considered a filler treatment and cases such as these are much easier to blend and conceal with existing hair.

Yes, scalp micropigmentation is an ideal solution for concealing scars due to surgery or injury. We can also use SMP treatments to hide the scarring from previous FUE or FUT transplants.

For clients who are requesting scalp micropigmentation as a filler treatment or scar concealment, we will usually ask the client to prepare for treatment with the shortest hair length at which they feel comfortable. Clients who have been classified with Norwood 6-7 hair loss will be required to shave their head completely in advance of SMP treatments and expect to maintain that appearance.

Your SMP practitioner will guide you on the best products to use for preserving and maintaining the appearance of your treatment. Take a look at the link to our products recommendation page.

Since the pigments have been directly applied into the epidermis layer of the scalp, you can shave your head, wash your skin, do anything you like. The pigments will not be damaged or affected in any way. Scalp micropigmentation offers permanent results, the pigments will remain in your skin no matter how often you shave your head. Many of our clients shave their heads every day without reporting any loss or damage to their SMP treatments.

Direct sunlight can cause the pigments to weaken and fade over time. This will damage the treatment as well as your scalp. It's very important to protect yourself from the sun's harmful UV rays. Applying sunscreen to your scalp or wearing a hat when you expect to be in direct sunlight for long periods will keep your skin and your SMP treatments safe from harm.

It can be tough to determine how much SMP treatments will cost without first classifying the client's hair loss and deciding on the amount of work necessary to achieve the desired results. Some clients may only need two treatments, separated a week apart from one another, with the potential for a third treatment being required a month or so later.

On average, the cost of SMP treatments for scar concealment may run $800 to $1000 per treatment. For clients with class 2-4 hair loss, the cost could be anywhere from $2400-$3400. For clients with class 5-7 hair loss, the cost may run $3400-$4200. SMP applied to the top of the scalp with scar concealment could cost approximately $4200-$5200 for two to three treatments administered.

We ask for a $400 deposit at the time of booking to schedule your treatment dates. Please be advised, there is currently an eight week waiting list for to secure an appointment. Once the dates are booked, the first payment is made at the time of the first treatment, the second payment is expected at the time of the second treatment. We offer financing options for clients who qualify.

Give us a call at 310-425-4975 or email us at info@zangsmp.com to schedule a free consultation. We offer our services to clients all around the world, so if you do not live in California or you are based outside of the country, feel free to send us photos of your thinning hair or scarring you would like concealed. We can book a phone consultation or online assessment via video conferencing through Facebook or Skype to discuss your concerns and the desired results you would like to see after SMP treatments.

When sending photos for assessment, photograph your scalp from the top down, bird's eye view, for best results.