Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a highly advanced method of cosmetic pigmentation (tattoo). While similar to traditional tattooing, it is also unique in a variety of ways.SMP involves the use of specialized equipment (needles, machines, and pigments) along with special techniques to inject pigment into the scalp, in order to create the look of a hair follicle.
What to Expect at Your Micropigmentation Sessions
Treatment is typically completed across 2-3 sessions. Below, we’ll take you through the process step-by-step:
- Your initial consultation appointment is first. Consultations can be done in-person, over the phone, or over video chat via Skype, FaceTime, etc, in order to gain an understanding of what results you want to achieve from your treatment. Our experts will guide you through the process and help you decide which style is best for you. We then create a plan of action, mapping out what is required to reach your goal and get the results you desire.
- Next, treatment begins. Years of experience have taught us that it’s best to be conservative on your first treatment in order to achieve the optimal end result. This initial session is to lay the foundation of your new look. After the first treatment, your scalp will be a little red, but within a single day this typically returns to normal.
- The second treatment allows us to fill in more detail and go a shade darker than your initial session. This session is where your treatment really comes to life, and your new look is perfected. Any concerns, questions or requests will be handled during this meeting
- Occasionally, but not always, a third procedure may take place. Third treatments are typically done by the request of the client, if they would like to go even darker.
During your consultation, we will talk to you about exactly what results you want to get, and ensure a custom procedure, designed to give you the desired effects that you’re looking for.
When we implant our ink into the affected area, we carefully match our pigment your natural hair color with skillful precision.
Many clients report minimal discomfort during the procedure, and an immediate lift in self-confidence after only a single session.
How Much Does Scalp Micropigmentation Cost?
The Price of SMP & Financing Options
For our full-length page about how we determine pricing, click here.
Micropigmentation is a very intricate procedure. On average, there are over 100,000 follicles on the human head; this means our skilled practitioners—guided by cutting-edge technology—must carefully implant pigments by hand upwards of 1,250 times per square inch. The price to accomplish this feat at Hairline Ink generally falls between $1,800 to $3,200 for what we would consider our average client’s needs and desired look. The exact price of a scalp micropigmentation treatment, however, may be higher or lower depending on a number of factors.After reading about everything that goes into micropigmentation, from the different ways treatment can help to the way treatment works, our average client with male pattern baldness falls within a pricing range of $1,800 to $3,200. (A simple scar cover-up may be less, and severe forms of hair loss may be more.) Of course, pricing for this kind of treatment isn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Instead, there are a number of factors that will help us determine exactly how much your treatment is going to cost you:
- Treatment Area: whether you’re facing male pattern baldness, alopecia, or complete baldness, the total amount of area we have to cover will be a large factor in your pricing. If the human head has an average of 100,000 hair follicles, how many follicles do we have to replicate?
- Skin Type: If you have particularly dry or sensitive skin, additional considerations will have to be made by our team in how to treat you without hurting your skin. If you have lots of scar tissue or thick skin, we might need more treatments than someone without those things.
- Scarring: scar tissue takes a special kind of attention. If you have light scarring, then everything may proceed as normal, but if there is a lot of scarring or they are dark or thick, then there are a number of options to choose from on how to realistically hide that tissue.
- Hair Density and Style: This will determine many things, from the colors we have to use to the number of follicles we have to replicate to the actual style of micropigmentation treatment you want to go with.
The most reliable way for us to give you a pricing amount is to come in person for a consultation, but if you send us a few pictures of yourself along with a description, we can get back to you in one to two days with a quote.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Your Scalp Micropigmentation Procedure
The cost of each procedure varies based on several factors, including the size of the treatment area, your type of skin, if you have scarring, and how dense your original hair is.
Treatment Area
Of course, one of the biggest factors that dictates the price of micropigmentation will be the cumulative size of the treatment area determined by the size of the head and the extent of the hair loss.
The majority of our clients suffer from male pattern baldness, the severity of which is determined by The Norwood scale. If you are in the earlier stages of balding, treatment will be less costly compared to addressing the larger treatment areas associated with the later stages. MPB cannot be prevented and generally follows these stages:
- Stage I: Baseline—no hair loss.
- Stage II: The hairline begins to thin typically in an “m” shaped pattern at the temples.
- Stage III: The “m” pattern first seen in the previous stage deepens. Often, hair at the crown of the head begins to thin during this time as well. This is the first stage hair loss can be technically considered “baldness.”
- Stage IV: Hair recedes more dramatically at the sides in this stage, often leaving a triangular island of hair at the front of the head. The bald spot in the back of the head is more noticeable. However, there is generally a full bridge of hair that separates the two distinct areas of hair loss.
- Stage V: The two main regions of hair loss in the front and back are still distinct, but the band that separates them starts to thin.
- Stage VI: The two main areas of hair loss unite in this stage. Hair continues to recede around the sides of the head.
- Stage VII: In this stage, only the hair around the back and sides of the head remain, forming the classic “horseshoe” pattern.
Pricing for those suffering from other conditions that result in hair loss in the form of general thinning, patching, or complete baldness will be established in the same way—cumulative size of the treatment area determined by the size of the head and the extent of the hair loss.
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Skin Type
The vast majority of our clients have a skin type that falls into what we would consider a normal range. However, there are a number of different skin types and conditions that require special accommodations which may affect the price of your treatment plan.
- Excessively dry, flaky skin; older skin; severe acne; moles; damaged skin; or highly sensitive skin may necessitate extra time and care.
- Extremely thick skin might also require extra treatment time; the thicker the skin, the more pressure is needed in order for the needles to penetrate through to the deeper layers. Thinner skin requires less pressure on the pen, which allows for a quicker hand motion and shortens the overall treatment time.
New skin may also affect the procedure. Let your technician at Hairline Ink know if you’ve recently received a hair transplant. Sometimes collagen forms at the site of the new grafts, which makes the skin very soft and act like a sponge when the pigment is injected in that area. Scalp Micropigmentation and hair transplant procedures can be a very effective combination, but just be sure to consult with your technician to discuss time and technique to achieve optimal results.
Scarring
The presence of scarring may also require special time and consideration from a technician at Hairline Ink. Since hair does not grow over scar tissue, and micropigmentation is meant to mimic natural hair stubble, other accommodations must be made.
For lighter scars, implementing a specialized technique along with our normal micropigmentation treatment will usually be enough to hide the blemish. For more pronounced scarring, our technicians might recommend focusing on the scar treatment before proceeding with the full scalp micropigmentation treatment, or we might recommend pre-treatment with our revolutionary camouflage ink system.
Camouflage Ink “fades” the scar by first blending the discoloration into the surrounding skin before moving forward with our standard micropigmentation procedure to give the appearance of natural hair growth, as if the scar was never even there.
To find out more about micropigmentation and scar camouflage click here!
Hair Density and Style
Even with a full head of hair, the natural density of one’s hair can vary greatly from person to person. Blondes, for example, have an average of 150,000 individual hair follicles, while redheads may have as few as 90,000. For the most natural look, we take into account the fullness and distribution of your natural hair. However, if you’re not happy with the natural distribution of your hair, talk to your technician about using micropigmentation to fill out the appearance of your existing hair.
The style you choose will also determine the density of the treatment and the time required to accomplish the look. A “wet shave” look is a very light treatment option, while a classic fade needs extra density in places which means extra treatment time.
Get a Quote
All treatments are priced individually based on the above-mentioned factors. To get a better idea of the cost of scalp micropigmentation for your specific case, submit information about your situation along with three to five photos and we will get back to you within 24-48 hours with the expected cost of treatment!
Upload your photos and get your quote here.
Financing
If you would rather make low monthly payments instead of paying the entire bill in full, consider financing with one of our third-party providers.. You may qualify for 12 months of 0% APR financing with United Medical Credit, which would allow you to break the payments up over 12 months without interest. Alternatively, GlobalCheck offers no-credit check income verification with 3 months 0% APR.
Learn more about our financing partners and their 2-minute applications at our Financing page by clicking here.
About Hairline Ink
When you choose Hairline Ink for your hair loss solution, you’re choosing the most trusted name in the industry. All of our artists have experienced hair loss or thinning in some fashion and turned to scalp micropigmentation as their solution, so rest assured that you’re getting help from someone who truly understands what you’re going through. Our goal is to help as many people regain the confidence of a full head of hair as we possibly can, without breaking the bank, which is why we’re up-front about our pricing and offer a financing solution for those of you who prefer to avoid the one-time payment.
If you’re ready to regain your confidence by looking and feeling better than ever, contact us today to set up a free consultation. There, we’ll be able to discuss exactly what kind of treatment you’re looking for, look closely at your hair and skin type, and be able to give you an accurate price for your hair loss solution!
Scalp Micropigmentation Pricing Chart
| Procedure Type | Sessions 1 + 2 Cost $ (USD) | Session 3 Cost $ (USD) | Total Cost of Procedure $ (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scar Treatment Only | $1200-1800 | $700 | $1900-$2500 |
| Norwood 2-3 (hairline or crown work only) | $2000-2200 | $700 | $2700-$2900 |
| Standard Procedure (Benchmark Price) | $2700-3200 | $700 | $3400-$3900 |
| Standard Procedure with Scars | $3600-4000 | $700-1050 | $4300-$5050 |
| Mild Alopecia Areata | $3200-3600 | $700 | $3900-$4300 |
| Severe Alopecia | $3600-4000 | $700 | $4300-$4700 |
| Women’s Hair Loss | $1800-3400 | $700 | $2500-$4100 |
| Adding Crown Density | $2000-2200 | $700 | $2700-$2900 |
| Adding Density to Thin Hair | $2700-3200 | $700 | $3400-$3900 |
| Repairing Bad Treatments | $2200-3200 | $700 | $2900-$3900 |
| Touchups | $350-1000 | — | $350-$1000 |