When you start researching a cosmetic tattoo treatment, you naturally want to hear the experiences of clients who’ve already had the treatment – both positive and negative ones.
Scalp micropigmentation implies getting colors deposited into your skin, where they’ll stay visible for a long, long time. Potentially up to 10 years! And while it can be a huge improvement for people dealing with hair thinning and loss, it’s not a decision that should be made lightly.
To help you decide whether this treatment is right for you or not, we’ve collected the experiences of a number of clients who’ve shared their thoughts online. Let’s look into some scalp micropigmentation regrets.
What Percentage of Clients Get Scalp Micropigmentation Regrets?
Very few clients regret getting SMP. Experiences are predominantly positive.
Clients who go into the process well-informed and with realistic expectations, and those who find a skilled, experienced artist who listens to their needs, are bound to be happy with the results.
Problems arise when the client is promised results that are impossible to achieve and when the job is done poorly.
Image source: Instagram @redlands.smp
What Are the Biggest Scalp Micropigmentation Regrets?
Scalp micropigmentation regrets generally stem from 3 causes: the treatment is not performed well, the shape of the hairline isn’t perfect, or the client had unrealistic expectations.
Let’s explore each.
SMP Regret #1 – The Treatment Wasn’t Done 100% Right
Scalp micropigmentation may seem like a simple procedure – tiny dots are tattooed into the scalp – but it’s actually quite complex. The success of the treatments depends on many factors, and each can be a source of scalp micropigmentation regrets:
The Formula of the Color
In the past, SMP was done using tattoo ink. While some practitioners still use inks, most of them should have switched to pigments.
Tattoo inks are formulated for body art and their formula ensures the color stays as bright and vivid as possible for as long as possible. But with SMP, you want the results to look like natural features, so the colors are supposed to blend into the skin, not stand out from it.
Plus, tattoo inks often contain components which turn blue over time, and that’s definitely not something you want.
Pigments are made to fade, so you won’t be stuck with your SMP forever. Many scalp micropigmentation regrets are actually due to the treatment being performed with inks instead of pigments, which fade evenly and consistently over several years.
How to Prevent This Regret?
Make sure your tech uses pigments and not inks. Don’t be hesitant to ask – you have the right to know what’s going into your skin.
Image source: Instagram @skinical_laserandskinclinic
The Color of the Formula
While SMP doesn’t really offer much diversity in terms of color – all emerging hair follicles look ashy-grayish regardless of your hair color – it’s still important to get the shade exactly right.
For dark-haired clients, dark shades of gray are used. For light-haired clients, the pigment should be somewhat lighter.
This is quite straightforward, but there’s also the question of the coolness/warmth scale. Since the pigment will go into the skin, it needs to be compatible with its tone and undertone. The layers of skin that will surround the pigment will have an effect on how the color will look.
The pigment shade needs to be adjusted keeping this in mind. Otherwise, the color will end up looking like a cool bluish.
How to prevent this regret?
Find an experienced artist who has the experience and make sure they take their time to assess the tone and undertone of your skin.
Image source: Instagram @torontoscalpmicro
Depth of Implementation
In order to get realistic dots, the pigment has to be deposited at just the right depth. Too shallow and the results will fade very fast. Too deep and the dots will spread and get blurred, and they may even turn a grayish-blue.
Most clients who end up with scalp micropigmentation regrets get botched by inexperienced, perhaps even untrained practitioners.
How to prevent this regret?
Make sure your artist is certified, licensed and experienced. Don’t feel awkward asking for their credentials.
Image source: Instagram @thesmpcenter
SMP Regret #2 – The Shape of the Hairline Is Wrong
For clients who have very little to no hair or want to bring down a receding hairline, getting the shape of the hairline is crucial to getting realistic and satisfactory results.
Some scalp micropigmentation regrets stem from this. The outline has to be done taking into consideration all the features: the shape of the head, the width of the forehead, the position of the ears, etc. And last but not least, the wishes of the client.
This takes meticulous mapping and measuring, and not all artists are equally skilled at this.
Since SMP is done as a series of treatments rather than a one-off, the shape created at the 1st session can be further modified in most cases. The problem arises if the tech goes too far out on the first session. With micropigmentation, you can always add, but it’s difficult to take away.
How to prevent this regret?
Insist on thorough consultation and take part in the creation of the outline before the treatment starts. Sometimes, it can be hard for clients to visualize what the final result will look like based on the outline alone, so when the artist finishes the pre-draw, take your time to assess it and don’t hesitate to ask them to modify it until you’re 100% sure it’s what you want.
Image source: Instagram @smpremovalclinic
SMP Regret #3 – You Had Unrealistic Expectations and Were Let Down
When you’re getting micropigmentation, it’s very important you get informed and understand what the treatment can and cannot do.
Scalp micropigmentation can fix the look of hair loss, not the hair loss itself. You will get the illusion of a buzz cut and the appearance of hair follicles just about to emerge, but you will not get actual, physical hair strands.
If you go into the treatment expecting to get your hair back, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
How to prevent this regret?
Get educated and have realistic expectations. Our comprehensive guide through scalp micropigmentation is here to help you with that!
What to Do If I End Up With Scalp Micropigmentation Regrets?
If SMP hasn’t worked out for you for whatever reason and you’re having scalp micropigmentation regrets, don’t despair. Unsuccessful SMP can be corrected or removed. It’s better to try correction first, since removal is a lengthy process and we have to warn you it’s not the most comfortable experience, but the results of an SMP gone wrong can be removed and you can get a do-over.
Learn all about SMP removal in this guide.
Cover image source: Freepik
