What Is Scalp Micropigmentation?

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Watch Will explaining what is scalp micropigmentation

Scalp micropigmentation, also known as SMP is a cosmetic treatment that’s gaining popularity for individuals with hair loss.

We offer it at Scalp Nation, though we appreciate that many of you don’t understand the ins and outs of this process. This page will cover everything you must know about SMP, so you can ultimately decide if it’s the right treatment for your needs. 

What is Scalp Micropigmentation and How Does it Work?

Scalp micropigmentation is considered one of the various treatments for hair loss. It is a purely cosmetic procedure that’s designed to give the illusion of thicker, fuller hair on one’s scalp. 

Small dots (or micro pigments) are layered across your scalp using a rotary tattoo machine. This must be done by a skilled professional to get the best results, providing you with a permanent tattoo that will fade over time. It will look like you have a buzz cut as the small dots/impressions  look like tiny little hairs that are just about to grow. 

In many ways, scalp micropigmentation is an art form. The best practitioners will use different hues of black and layer the dots to create an even better hair illusion. Your head will look like it has a very short layer of hair to the untrained eye – which can do wonders for your confidence! 

Who Typically Has Scalp Micropigmentation and Why?

Scalp Micropigmentation is typically sought out by men suffering from extensive hair loss. Bald men are popular candidates as they cannot undergo hair transplant surgery and wish to make it look like they have a nice head of hair. 

Aside from that, anyone experiencing any type of hair loss could be suitable for scalp micropigmentation. It can be used on clients with thinning scalps but still have real hair in place, helping to cover bald patches and provide the illusion of thicker hair. 

People with temporary hair loss are also likely to have SMP. The pigments will gradually fade, when it does you will require a top up treatment. It can be the perfect way to handle temporary baldness following cancer treatments or hair loss from other causes. Men who wish to improve their hairline and get rid of the “M” shape can also benefit from SMP. 

It’s an extremely popular treatment amongst so many people because it works.

SMP does exactly what it says; it will make it look like you have hair on your head. There are far fewer risks involved than with other hair loss treatments – like transplants – and very little recovery time is needed. Most importantly, scalp micropigmentation is one of the most affordable hair loss treatment methods available. 

Does Scalp Micropigmentation Grow Hair?

No. Scalp micropigmentation will not help you grow your hair. It’s a cosmetic hair loss treatment, meaning it only helps with the aesthetic side of your situation. 

If you want to regrow your hair, then this is not the correct treatment option for you. It will only make it look like you’ve got more hair and can do an exceptional job of covering bald spots or fixing hairlines. 

Keep in mind that hair growth treatments don’t have a very high success rate.

Many people have attempted transplants or hair plugs and seen little to no results, meaning another round of treatments is needed.

There’s also a much longer recovery time while SMP leaves slight redness that subsides within a few days. 

Does SMP Damage Hair Follicles?

No, SMP will not damage your hair follicles at all. Injecting your scalp with the pigments will not have any adverse effects on the follicles or affect their growth.

That’s what makes this such a safe treatment for hair loss. It makes it look like you’ve got hair while your real hair follicles can slowly re-enter the growth stage and come back over time. 

What Can You Expect From The Scalp Micropigmentation Process?

At Scalp Nation, our SMP process looks like this: 

  • Step 1: You begin with a consultation to discuss your needs and assess your situation. Our experts will look at your head/scalp and explain what the treatment can and can’t do. We can also provide a quote for the service based on how much work is required. 
  • Step 2: You’re booked in for your first SMP treatment with a specialist practitioner. A rotary tattoo machine is then used to implant the pigments into the skin. You shouldn’t experience much pain throughout the process. Most say on a level of 1-10 with 10 being most painful, they experience a level of around 3-4.  Each person is different and some say they don’t feel a thing.
  • Step 3: The treatment is then carried out over a few hours (each session) where density is achieved on your scalp. This process is repeated until the treatment is complete (usually 3-4 sessions).

Following each scalp micropigmentation treatment, your head will be red and it may feel a bit sore/sensitive. This shouldn’t last for longer than 72 hours each time, at which point you’ll be okay to carry on with life as normal. There aren’t any strict recovery steps needed for scalp micropigmentation and most people go back to work the next day. 

Once the SMP process is 100% complete, it should stay evident for anywhere between 2-5 years before fading occurs.

After which, you’re more than welcome to return for a touch-up to maintain your look. As you’ve already had micropigmentation at this point, the touch-up procedure is usually only one session. 

Is Scalp Micropigmentation Right For You?

Most people will have no problems undergoing scalp micropigmentation.

However, you may be unsuitable if you suffer from excessively dry skin or other skin conditions on your scalp. Don’t worry, we can discuss your eligibility during our initial consultation before you have to pay anything. 

SMP is the ideal hair loss treatment for men who wish to have a believable buzz-cut look. Will Quaye our in house expert was trained by some of the best artists in the world. Nobody will be able to tell that you don’t have hair; it’s that good! 

Get in touch with Scalp Nation today to book your consultation or learn more about scalp micropigmentation. 

Can Hair Loss Be Caused By Stress

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For years, it’s been assumed that stress can cause hair loss. When people go through extreme bouts of stress, their hair is liable to fall out.

But, is this scientifically proven or just a myth? More to the point, is your hair loss caused by stress or something else?

We’ll explain all you need to know about stress-related hair loss in this article. It will include the science behind it, symptoms to be aware of, treatment options and much more. 

What is Stress-Related Hair Loss?

Stress-related hair loss refers to types of hair loss that are caused by unusual levels of stress in the body. As your brain releases more cortisol (the main stress hormone) it can affect hair growth.

The most common type of stress-related hair loss is known as telogen effluvium (TE). In fact, this is one of the most common forms of hair loss full stop. Your hair goes through three stages as it grows and sheds: 

  • Growth phase (Anagen)
  • Resting phase (Catagen)
  • Shedding phase (Telogen)

Telogen effluvium is when more hairs enter the shedding phase from the growth phase. This means you have more hair prematurely shedding than growing. The result of this is thinning of the scalp and noticeable hair loss. High levels of stress can be known to trigger this, which is why people see hair loss while stressed.

Is Stress-Related Hair Loss Permanent?

No!

Stress-related hair loss is not permanent as you’re losing your hair due to a controllable factor. No matter what type of hair loss is triggered by stress, it can usually be reversed if you counter your stress levels and undergo specific hair loss treatments. 

Why Do We Experience Stress?

Stress is a natural part of the human body and we’re supposed to deal with it. Scientifically speaking, it’s a reaction to external factors around us, such as:

  • Work
  • Exercise
  • Money problems
  • Relationship issues
  • Poor health
  • Bereavement 

When we’re approached with stressful situations, our body enters its fight or flight mode. It recognises the stressors as potential dangers, so it releases numerous hormones to either defend yourself against the conflict or get away from it as fast as you can. Your body will do this even when you’re not posed with a physical threat at all.

One of the main chemicals released during this process is cortisol – the stress hormone mentioned earlier. As you can imagine, if you’re constantly presented with stressful situations, your body will release more and more cortisol. 

That’s when stress becomes a problem. Stress is natural, but it’s not something you should be dealing with all the time. Chronically elevated cortisol levels lead to the slowing down of hair growth as more follicles enter the shedding cycle early. From there, you experience hair loss. 

Does Hair Loss From Stress Have Any Clear Symptoms?

Stress-related hair loss is usually spotted when the following symptoms are present:

  • More hair loss or shedding than normal – you may see hair on your pillow at night, in your hands when you run them through your hair or in your hairbrush. 
  • Thinning hair on your scalp – you might be able to see the scalp below and the hair on top of your head gets progressively thinner over time. 
  • Hair takes much longer to grow back – it seems like your hair remains the same length or takes far longer to grow than it ever did before.
  • An overly sensitive scalp – your scalp feels quite itchy and you may develop rashes due to stress. 

Ultimately, a lot of these symptoms are listed for other types of hair loss as well. The key thing to consider with hair loss from stress is that it happens gradually.

Look for these signs and then reflect on the rest of your life. Have you been through a tough time lately? Do you feel more stressed than usual? 

It’s a good idea to be aware of the signs of stress too, which are:

  • A general feeling of tenseness
  • Possible feelings of anxiety or depression
  • Being overwhelmed
  • Feeling physically tired all the time
  • Unable to sleep at night
  • Unable to turn your thoughts off
  • Stomach pains and digestive issues
  • Rashes or itchy skin

When you see these stress symptoms along with the hair loss ones listed earlier, there’s a very strong chance you have stress-related hair loss.

The question is, what can you do to treat it?

Are All Hair Loss Conditions Caused By Stress?

No.

The most common type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia – or male/female pattern baldness. This is not caused by stress as it is largely seen as a genetic issue.

You will be genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia and will start losing your hair from a fairly early age. Some people experience the early signs of male pattern baldness in their teens while it doesn’t appear in others until they’re in their twenties or thirties.

Keeping your stress levels low will not prevent this type of hair loss, but living a highly stressful life will make your hair fall out faster!

How To Treat Hair Loss Caused By Stress

You can treat hair loss from stress in a couple of ways. The main concern is dealing with stress – if your body keeps producing an abnormal number of stress hormones, you’ll continue seeing the problem.

Work on reducing the stressors in your life – this will obviously be very individualised depending on what’s causing your stress. General ideas include seeking therapy, exercising frequently, following a healthy diet and practising meditation.

If you can get your stress levels down, your body will eventually recover. There’ll be a reduction in the hair follicles entering the shedding phase and an increase in those going through the growth phase.

Alternatively, if you’d like an aesthetic treatment to help while your hair grows back, then consider scalp micropigmentation.

We offer it at Scalp Nation and have many clients who’ll testify that it brings back confidence and gives the illusion of a thicker head of hair while covering scalp thinning.

Feel free to message us for a scalp micropigmentation consultation – or simply get in touch if you have any questions.

SMP Pre-Treatment Advice

Thank you for booking your SMP treatment with Scalp Nation.  

Before your journey begins we would advise you to do the following:

  • Prior to your first session please apply moisturising cream or balm to your scalp on a daily basis (twice a day).  We recommend Membrane scalp balm (which can be found on our sister website) or any non-perfumed moisturiser. This will help prepare your skin to allow for optimum results.
  • Please do not apply any hair concealers/ fibres or hair systems the day of the treatment.  You can wear a loose hat or cap to and from the clinic.
  • If it is your first session: please leave hair growth so we can see the areas when you arrive. We will shave your hair down at the clinic before your treatment.
  • Two days prior to treatment you can stop wet shaving, razor shaving. If you cut your hair with a foil shaver or clippers please do this the night before your treatment.
  • Please do not consume any alcohol drugs or caffeine on the day of treatment.  
  • If you currently take minoxidil please stop this one week prior to your appointment and whilst under treatment. Any prescribed medication can be taken as normal.
  • If you present signs of being unwell or under the influence your treatment will then be rescheduled and a 50% session charge will be applied.

If on the day of treatment, you are running late please advise the clinic at your earliest convenience. 

If your technician feels that your arrival time will affect your booked session then this may have to be rescheduled.  In doing so this will incur a 50% of session charge.