Scalp Micropigmentation in Turkey
Scalp micropigmentation in Turkey is becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of hair loss. Many international patients from around the world come to Turkey for this procedure. It is applied by creating dots between the pores of a balding scalp. It can also be done on a shaved scalp or with long hair. The intensity of the stippling depends on the number of follicular units required for the individual. The average head contains around 40,000 follicular units.
At the end of this article, you will find answers to the following questions:
- What is scalp micropigmentation?
- Can it work as a permanent concealer?
- How does scalp micropigmentation cover up hair loss?
- How is it done in Turkey?
- How does it differ from tattooing?
- Can anyone have scalp micropigmentation?
- What are the benefits of scalp micropigmentation in Turkey?
- What are the disadvantages of micropigmentation in Turkey?
- What should I do after scalp micropigmentation?
- What should I do after the treatment?
What is scalp micropigmentation?
Scalp micropigmentation is a medical tattooing method designed to treat thinning hair or baldness. It requires customisation for each patient due to variations in how different scalps react to the tattoo dye. There may also be a requirement for more than one session. This can take up to 20 hours in total to achieve satisfactory results. It creates the illusion of fuller hair by applying tiny dots of pigment to your scalp. These dots mimic the appearance of hair follicles, giving a denser and more even appearance.
How scalp micropigmentation works?
There is a general process of scalp micropigmentation (SMP). Each session involves these steps below:
- Adjusting Design: When defining the boundaries for micropigmentation with a pencil, the practitioner uses a design that eliminates the appearance of the receding hairline. They set the area a few centimeters below the frontal alopecia extending toward the posterior scalp as the border.
- Hairline Template:
- Light Color: The SMP practitioner starts by choosing a pigment color that matches your natural hair color and desired shade. Usually, they begin with a lighter color to create a natural look and not too dark during the first application.
- Low Density: They apply fewer pigment dots per square inch of your scalp during the first session. It allows for a gradual buildup of density over multiple sessions. Therefore, the practitioner can make changes based on how the pigment settles and how your skin reacts.
- Blending: Minor blending is a way to placing pigment dots strategically. The aim is to create a transition area which replicates the natural follicles.
- Treatment Session: The treatment takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the degree of your hair loss. During the consultation, your practitioner or surgeon will inform you of the stage you are at on the Norwood scale.
Scalp Micropigmentation vs Tattooing
Both techniques are based on the use of ink that is injected into the skin to create various designs on the skin.
Scalp Micropigmentation
Using surgical equipment, the specialist makes drawings on your scalp that resemble short strands of hair with very small and realistic touches. These drawings are very difficult to distinguish from real hair. Unlike tattooing, it only covers the scalp.
Tattooing
Tattooing is applied to the deeper dermis, whereas micropigmentation is on the superficial layer (the epidermal-dermal interface). This makes the tattoo permanent for many years, often for life. This makes the tattoo permanent for many years, often for life.
Eligibility of Scalp Micropigmentation
Typically, it is suitable for people with cosmetic problems with their scalps and hair because of dermatologic or genetic conditions. Here is a list of people who can get scalp micropigmentation done:
- Individuals with hair loss who want the appearance of thicker hair.
- Men and women without serious health problems, such as heart conditions.
- Those with sparse hair, including those with patchy alopecia.
- People who have lost hair due to alopecia and are unsatisfied with the amount of their existing hair follicles.
- Individuals who did not achieve desired results from hair transplantation or do not want to undergo hair transplant surgery.
- People with receding hairlines, crown hair loss, alopecia areata, female pattern hair loss, or male pattern baldness.
- Those with scars or burn marks on their scalp.
Pros and Cons of Scalp Micropigmentation
The advantages of SMP:
- It looks real and it can camouflage regional alopecia or diffuse thinning.
- It works for every hairstyle, whether you have a buzz cut, long hair, male or female pattern baldness, and/or alopecia.
- It lasts for years without needing a touch-up.
- Pigments are non-toxic and safe for use.
- Compared to hair transplant surgeries, it is wallet-friendly.
- Most clinics offer free consultations where you can meet with your SMP artist and learn how they will perform SMP according to your facial structure.
The disadvantages of SMP:
- It is a permanent makeup but doesn’t last a lifetime.
- The color of the scalp skin and hair color are important factors to achieve a natural look.
- Tattoo ink doesn’t typically lead to infections or irritation unless you choose an unsafe clinic with uncertified SMP practitioners.
- Removing the work of an inexperienced practitioner can be painful.
- You might need to shave your full head before the procedure.You might need to shave your full head before the scalp micropigmentation procedure.
- The number of treatments needed is unpredictable.
Dos and Don’ts after Scalp Micropigmentation
SMP aftercare do’s and don’ts are below
DO’s
- Use a mild shampoo to keep your scalp clean. 48 hours after the procedure, you can gently wash your scalp with lukewarm water.
- Use sunscreen, as your scalp will be more susceptible to getting sunburned.
- Wear a hat or cap to protect your scalp when you go outdoors.
- Be gentle with your hair when drying and brushing it. You can use a wide-toothed comb or a soft-bristled brush.
- Manage your expectations because images on the internet can be misleading
- Stay hydrated to heal faster. Drink plenty of water.
- Moisturize after the initial days to keep your scalp moist and prevent itching.
- Sleep on your back. In this way, you will not be rubbing your scalp against the pillow.
- View before-after photos of scalp micropigmentation patients. This will give you an idea of the effect of a stippling pattern that mimics hair follicles for a natural look.
DON’Ts
- Avoid sunlight, sauna, steam rooms, solarium and Turkish baths for the first 10 days.
- Chemical moisturizers should not be used in the treated area
- Avoid contact with water and soap for 3 days after the procedure.
- Don’t use any hair styling products for at least 7 days after scalp micropigmentation.
- Avoid swimming in pools or the sea for the initial 10 days.
- If small scabs appear they should not be peeled off or treated with moisturizing cream.
- Try to avoid doing anything which might make you sweat or feel stressed.
- Don’t worry if your scalp is darker or redder than expected in the early days.
- Don’t do heavy exercise immediately after the procedure. This is the same as with hair transplants or other surgical hair loss treatments.
Cost of Scalp Micropigmentation in Turkey
Scalp micropigmentation cost in Turkey varies between $1500 and $1700. In accordance with the results of the analysis, the hair simulation will be carried out over 3 sessions. This method ensures maximum coverage of all bald spots and thinning areas at 2 days between sessions.
Starting your Journey to Scalp Micropigmentation in Turkey
Istanbul is one of the globe’s top tourist destinations, and attracts visitors to its specialized clinics that focus on hair transplants and related treatments. This has made Istanbul a hub for health tourism.
The Imperium Clinic stands out in Turkey and is famous for its SMP procedures which are carried out in 3 sessions. The clinic offers comprehensive services included in the package:
- Online patient support,
- English translation services,
- A 6-night stay in a luxury 5-star hotel,
- VIP transportation.
PLEASE NOTE: Only cash payments are accepted at this prestigious clinic.
Scalp Micropigmentation Before and After Photos
You can explore before-and-after photos of scalp micropigmentation to understand its transformative effects. Unlike traditional tattoos, this procedure is specifically designed for people with hair loss or thinning, and aims to give the appearance of thicker hair. While hair transplant surgery remains the gold standard for treating hair loss, it may not be right for everyone.
If you’re looking for a solution to hair loss without surgery, SMP can help you achieve the appearance of dense hair with a natural hair growth pattern. The choice of pigment color will be based on your skin tone to give you a more realistic result. The number of SMP sessions required will be determined by your SMP artist during your initial consultation. Contact our clinic to have a fuller looking hair without the need for hair restoration surgery or graft harvesting.
FAQs about Scalp Micropigmentation
Depending on the individual’s skin type and the procedures performed on the scalp, the pigment can remain without fading for an average of 4 years. Noticeable fading usually begins in the 6th year. However, some people may experience fading within 2 to 3 years.
Most Islamic scholars state that scalp micropigmentation is halal if it is a technique used to treat medical conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss – baldness), scalp scars, telogen effluvium, scalp infection, or cancer.
Hair tattoo causes much less pain compared to traditional tattoos because it penetrates the first 2 layers of the skin dermis.
For micropigmentation; fine, sterile needles specifically designed for cosmetic tattooing are used. These needles inject pigment into the skin. Unlike tattoo dye, micropigmentation dye naturally exits the body. It causes no harm and is not carcinogenic.
Risks of micropigmentation include infection, allergic reactions and complications around the eyes. The body can form nodules or keloid scars in response to the pigment, and tattoo ink can interfere with MRI scans [only 1,5%]. Mild bleeding, swelling and crusting are common immediate reactions.
The right SMP practitioner in Turkey can be found in the clinics with certified specialists and positive reviews. Make sure they have significant experience and arrange a consultation to discuss your needs & expectations. Our SMP packages are available on request.
SMP provides a non-medical, tattoo-based, aesthetically pleasing and effective ‘cover-up’ that conceals the unsightly conditions. It looks so real because the cosmetic tattoo placement creates the illusion of a thick hair.
Yes, if you visit an unreliable clinic with inexperienced practitioners, you risk an artificial appearance.
References
- Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J, Estrin NF. Scalp micropigmentation: a concealer for hair and scalp deformities. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(3):35-42.
- Dhurat RS, Shanshanwal SJS, Dandale AL. Standardization of SMP Procedure and Its Impact On Outcome. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(3):145-149. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_116_16
- Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J. Scalp Micropigmentation. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2013;21(3):497-503. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2013.05.010
- Male pattern baldness: Causes and treatment. www.medicalnewstoday.com. Published July 28, 2017. Accessed June 26, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/68077#symptoms
- Betty Nguyen, Joshua S. Mervis, Paolo Romanelli, Antonella Tosti; Scalp Micropigmentation: A Clinicopathologic Correlation. Skin Appendage Disord 1 September 2022; 8 (5): 412–414. https://doi.org/10.1159/000524135
- Tope WD, Shellock FG. Magnetic resonance imaging and permanent cosmetics (tattoos): Survey of complications and adverse events. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2002;15(2):180-184. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.10049