What are Hair Tattoos?

Is your hair thinning or receding? Have you been looking for a more permanent solution?

Hair tattoos have become a popular procedure for both men and women who are dealing with hair loss or a receding hairline.

If you’re considering this tattoo, you should be informed and ready for the process and any potential outcomes. Keep reading to learn the 7 questions you should ask before getting a hair tattoo.

What are Hair Tattoos?

You may think a hair tattoo is the same as a normal tattoo on the rest of your body, but it actually involves a different cosmetic process. Scalp micro-pigmentation, or SMP, is becoming a population solution for treating men’s hairlines or general scalp tattoos.

This procedure works by using small pigments that are injected into the scalp. This involves a microneedle, which is a smaller needle than normal tattooing. This is what is needed to create the look of hair follicles with precision.

Scalp tattoos also require a different type of ink because they go deeper into the skin than traditional tattoos. You can receive a hair tattoo from an SMP artist and from a dermatologist.

So if you’re ready to dive into getting a hair tattoo, what questions should you ask the person performing the procedure?

1. Can I Have a Consultation First?

Asking for a consultation will guarantee you get to know the artist or doctor, who should have a lot of knowledge about SMP and can talk you through the process.

Start your consultation by asking about the benefits and the risks associated. You can gauge their knowledge and ask how many years of experience they have. You will likely prefer to not have a new technician who isn’t as knowledgeable.

During the consultation, you and the practitioner will also decide what style you’re looking for, along with what will best suit your scalp. From there, the practitioner should explain the next step, which is likely an initial treatment session.

The first session usually puts down the base of the future look, and then gives you 1-2 days of recovery time. The second treatment might be more intense and will add darker colors. This could also be your last treatment unless you need a third treatment for a darker pigmentation.

You can reach out to our offices for a free consultation today!

2. Can I See Pictures and References?

Some SMP treatment companies are rather new, so it’s important to vet them and ensure they’re the right place to do your tattoo. Check out the company’s social media sites if they have any, and search for pictures from clients.

Before and after photos can be helpful in showing you the type of work that they are capable of doing. A portfolio on their website should also show you these photos.

If you are still questioning the clinic you chose, you can ask for references from clients. They may have several satisfied customers who would be happy to talk to you about their experiences.

3. Will the Tattooing Be Painful?

The hairline is one of the most sensitive areas for a tattoo. But since micro-pigmentation uses a smaller needle that moves quickly, you may experience less pain than a normal tattoo.

Ask your practitioner about the level of pain you can expect and whether your specific health needs make you more or less sensitive. You will probably experience at least mild discomfort.

If you are worried about lingering pain, you can also ask your doctor about pain medications. Taking ibuprofen may also be effective.

4. What Needles and Pigments Will Be Used?

It’s important to ask about the needles for SMP, since the smallest needle size will help to match a hair follicle. If you are talking to a newer clinic, they may use larger needles.

You should also ask about the pigments that are used, not the inks. It’s important that the clinic use a stable pigment so that the color won’t change over time. A low quality pigment can deteriorate in the sun and change color to blue.

Ask if they have ever had a client whose tattoo changed to a blue color over time. Inside, you want it to fade to a charcoal or grey, as it will regularly fade. This is just a sign that you need a touch up.

5. What Signs Indicate I’m Having a Bad Reaction to the Tattoo?

If you’re wondering about the safety of tattoos, there are some sensitive skin types that have negative reactions to tattoos. You should ask your clinic what signs would indicate that you are having a negative reaction.

If your skin is sensitive, it’s possible you could develop an overly itchy rash called dermatitis that could change the color of the ink. If your skin typically has bad reactions to things like jewelry or if you have a lot of allergies, it’s important to be cautious when getting a new tattoo.

It’s also possible to develop keloids. These are raised scars that can grow over the original injury. You could be predisposed to keloids, so it’s important to discuss the possibility during the consultation.

6. Can You Perform a Patch Test For Me?

If you suspect you could be sensitive to ink or tattooing, you can ask the clinic for a patch test before the first layer is applied. You will then want to wait up to 48 hours to see if any severe issues occur.

7. What is the Cost?

The cost will depend on the clinic you select, and the size of the tattoo you’re requesting. If you want to have your entire head tattooed, this will be more expensive than a hairline tattoo. In general, it may cost 1 to 3 thousand dollars.

Ask Questions About the Process of Getting a Hair Tattoo

Getting a hair tattoo can be an exciting and scary process. It’s important to ask questions so you can feel prepared and confident going into the procedure.

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your and your hair tattooing needs!