Hair loss is a sensitive topic for many women due to the considerable societal shaming that occurs. People often associate balding and hair loss with men's issues, but they affect women, too! 

Sure, it may not be as common as male pattern baldness, but female pattern hair loss (FPHL) also occurs. It is triggered not just by genes but by hormonal changes and certain medical conditions that women go through. 

Thankfully, there is a lot of effort being made toward finding a cure or at least a treatment for female hair loss. One of the more promising ones is known as scalp micropigmentation. 

In this article, let us explore what it entails and what type of results you can expect. 

Scalp micropigmentation, or SMP, is a non-surgical procedure that uses pigment to draw on hair. Often, the biggest sign of balding is the color of the scalp in stark contrast to the hair. Scalp micropigmentation is an aesthetic treatment that offers instant results following the procedure. 

In essence, this treatment is different from traditional hair loss treatment methods, which try to stimulate hair growth. Instead, it recognizes that a lot of people are satisfied if the visual appearance of hair loss is reduced. 

WebMD states that scalp micropigmentation is often called a ‘hair tattoo,’ and this is an accurate description. Many people go on a hair restoration journey looking for different cures and treatments for hair loss but often end up disappointed. 

They try hair creams, medications, wigs, and hair transplants, only to not achieve the look they want. There are a lot of misconceptions and outright lies that are told about many of the treatments, which cause people to feel cheated. 

Scalp micropigmentation offers a refreshing change, as there are no doubts about what it can and cannot do. 

SMP involves a pigment below the epidermal layer of your skin with a fine needle. The practitioner then uses a blend of pigments to copy your hair’s appearance and create the illusion of hair. 

With layering techniques, it is even possible to achieve a sort of 3D appearance, which can be surprisingly convincing. Only on close inspection does it become clear that the results are due to pigment layering. 

If you are wondering why this procedure has gained popularity among women, there are many reasons for this. For one, SMP works great for a wide range of hairstyles and skin tones. 

A lot of women also enjoy trying out different hairstyles, but this can be affected by hair loss. They may stick to only one type because their scalp might be visible with other styles. Scalp micropigmentation for women allows them to feel confident, knowing that their foundation appears dense and full. 

Moreover, SMP is often chosen because it can also help with facial contouring via hairline creation. This helps frame your face better and reduces the appearance of balding.  

While the common advice for men dealing with hair loss is ‘shave it all off, grow a beard, and own the look,’ that obviously doesn’t work out too well for women. Many women suffer from body image issues, and going bald can be frightening to consider in cultures where long, thick hair is the ideal beauty standard. 

Some women do report pain, but there is usually a numbing agent applied to your scalp to reduce discomfort. That said, there is still some level of discomfort that you will have to manage. This varies from person to person, depending on your pain tolerance. You do need to know that this isn’t just a one-time thing. 

SMP is also a semi-permanent treatment, and the effects can last for up to eight years. This is something to consider if you were expecting it to be permanent because it can cost anywhere between $2000 and $4000, according to MedicalNewsToday. Depending on the experience and reputation of the clinic, this figure can be higher as well.

If you choose to get SMP, even a small area of treatment will require you to make multiple visits. This could be anywhere between three to four sessions if you are hoping for long-term retention.

The main reason for this is that the colors need to be layered, and this cannot be done in one go. In this context, it’s also worth noting the importance of finding a clinic that is trained to perform SMP for women. 

This is because SMP for men and women needs to be approached differently. SMP for women needs to be softly blended, meaning take the time to find the right clinic. 

As mentioned earlier, SMP is a non-surgical procedure. This instantly makes it an option for women who couldn’t have surgeries due to preexisting medical issues. 

Hair transplants and other treatments are also much more care-intensive for the person. You don’t have to keep using medications like minoxidil or finasteride every day. You don’t need to use special shampoos and conditioners to maintain your hair.

SMP is a far more convenient option for busy women who don’t have the time or energy to spend on daily hair maintenance. It is also possible to customize the kind of results you want based on your personal preference. You would just need to speak to the therapist and describe the kind of look you wish to have.

With conventional hair loss treatments, you may not always have a choice. According to Ink2Scalp, the SMP process takes skin tone harmony, hair color synchronization, and the client's vision into account.

In conclusion, hair loss is something that science has yet to find a perfect cure for. With the current range of treatment options, there are always massive trade-offs that you need to make. You have to deal with side effects, multiple expensive treatment sessions, scarring, a lack of permanence, etc. 

In such a context, SMP feels like a treatment that thinks outside the box. It provides women with an aesthetic fix that doesn’t bring hair into the picture at all.