Can you scratch your head after SMP?

Author: Prof. Bo Ferry  |  Last update: Sunday, October 19, 2025

10+ DAYS – the scalp should be sufficiently healed to return to its normal routine. DAYS 1-30 (all period) Do not scratch, do not expose the healing skin to direct sunlight, solarium, jacuzzi, sauna, salt water, chlorinated swimming pools.

When can you scratch your head after SMP?

5-7 Days Post-Treatment

Please do not scratch, scrub, or shampoo the treatment area.

Can you scratch off SMP?

Avoiding Scratching or Picking: It's important to resist any urge to scratch or pick at scabs that may form after SMP treatment. This can disrupt the healing process and damage, such as loss of pigment patches/scars, ultimately affecting appearance.

How to clean scalp after SMP?

Once the initial 48-hour period has passed, gently wash your scalp with a mild, sulfate-free shampoo. Avoid using hot water and be gentle when massaging the shampoo into your scalp. Avoid using any harsh or abrasive products on your scalp, as these can cause the pigment to fade or become distorted.

What not to do after scalp micropigmentation?

Avoid washing or getting your head wet for the first three days. Try not to touch your head with your hands or any surface that may be unclean. Do not shave the treated area.

SMP AFTERCARE - 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW | Creative Scalps Scalp MicroPigmentation

How long does SMP take to heal on scalp?

How long does scalp micropigmentation take to heal? If you have a lighter complexion, your scalp will have 'redness' for approximately 24-48 hours after treatment. On darker skin this does not tend to show at all.

How to make SMP fade faster?

Regular exfoliation with sea salt can help speed up the fading process. Use a gentle exfoliating scrub designed for the scalp. This method works by removing the top layer of skin cells, which can help lighten the pigment over time.

When can I buzz my head after SMP?

For some people, it may be safe to shave their heads as soon as a week after SMP. For others, it may be necessary to wait a little longer in order to ensure that the scalp is completely healed. Ultimately, it is best to check with your SMP artist to see what their recommendation is.

Can hair grow through SMP?

Scalp micropigmentation doesn't grow hair or change your natural hair growth. And beyond what you may have read, it also won't cause hair loss or damage your existing hair follicles.

Can SMP be fully removed?

Remember, SMP isn't a life sentence—you have options to fade or remove it completely.

What does bad SMP look like?

Bad SMP often looks unnatural, with colour fading, uneven hairline, it's patchy and not applied evenly, and a harsh hairline might be visible. You might notice stark contrasts due to poor pigment choices.

How to sleep after SMP on scalp?

Can you sleep normally after SMP? Yes you can, the treatment does not affect your sleep. Ensure you have a clean pillow.

What is the downside to SMP?

Disadvantages of Scalp Micro Pigmentation
  • Disadvantages of Scalp Micro Pigmentation. An SMP treatment will always look its very best when the surrounding hairs have been shaved. ...
  • It does not feel like hair. SMP is a great way to create an illusion, but it will still feel the same as a bald head. ...
  • Will not age.

Does SMP make your head shiny?

Think of sunlight or artificial light bouncing off the surface of a shaved smooth SMP scalp. When this happens, the surface will shine and shine will be noticed after having a wet shave. When there is hair growing from the scalp there is not as much shine because the hair disrupts the shine on the skin surface.

Can I wet my head after SMP?

After SMP treatment, do not wet your hair. For example, a wash, swim, or sweat session could all lead to faster fading for your skin. And, as each piece of ink is like a small open wound to the skin, it can also be painful. Avoid shaving as well with a normal blade until 15 days after and direct sunlight for 30 days.

How to keep SMP dark?

Key Takeaways for Long-Lasting SMP

Client Maintenance: Regular touch-up sessions, typically every two years, help maintain the desired appearance. These sessions refresh the pigmentation, using the existing treatment as a base to enhance and extend its lifespan.

Does SMP look good in real life?

A skilled SMP artist creates tiny, layered dots in different shades to mimic natural hair follicles. Does scalp micropigmentation look real? Quality scalp micropigmentation should look like real hair follicles.

Does anyone regret SMP?

SMP is a good choice for many patients. Unfortunately, some people also report having scalp micropigmentation regrets after their procedure. This can stem from lack of research, questionable clinics giving out misleading information and choosing the wrong procedure.

Why is my scalp micropigmentation gone wrong?

The most common reason for scalp micropigmentation going wrong is a rushed job given by the technician. The results will look unnatural, blotchy, and sometimes even wonky. Basically, it will look nothing like actual, real hair.

How long does SMP take to settle?

But scalp micropigmentation takes about 7 days to heal and settle in between procedures. Now the reason for this is because of scalp micropigmentation is done in layers. So each layer is gonna be done with a slightly different color and a slightly different needle than the other.

What is the best hair length for SMP?

With SMP the hair length should ideally be 0.5 Grade or shorter. Hair length can differ when it comes to having one of the traditional buzz cuts.

Can you notice scalp micropigmentation?

Scalp micropigmentation can look either like hair that is denser or like shaved hair. But just as it would be odd to have only part of a head shaved, so too does SMP look odd when there is a mix of haired (long hair) and non-haired (closely shaved) areas on a scalp.

Does SMP lighten as it heals?

Yes, Scalp Micropigmentation typically does lighten after a few days following the treatment. This initial lightening is a normal part of the healing process. When SMP is first applied, the pigment may appear darker and more intense.

Can you laser off SMP?

If you've undergone a scalp micro pigmentation (SMP) treatment in the past and now want to remove it, laser scalp micro pigmentation removal might be the solution you're looking for.

Can SMP make hair look thicker?

Scalp micropigmentation doesn't grow hair or change your natural hair growth. It's not a hair loss treatment. It also won't cause hair loss or damage your existing hair follicles. Scalp micropigmentation is a way to make it look like you have fuller, thicker hair.

Previous article
Is it still hard to get jobs with tattoos?
Next article
Will my real tan come off if I exfoliate?