Non-surgical density
Scalp Micro Pigmentation
Scalp micro pigmentation recreates the look of closely shaven hair using tiny pigment deposits, covering thinning, scarring and alopecia with no surgery and no recovery time.
What it is
How scalp micro pigmentation works
Scalp micro pigmentation, usually shortened to SMP, places tiny deposits of specialist pigment into the dermal layer of the skin to replicate the appearance of real hair follicles. The effect is the clean, defined look of a closely shaven head, with density where there was none.
Because every deposit is placed individually, the treatment is genuinely tailored. You choose the shape of the hairline, the depth of the pigment colour and exactly where it goes, which makes it a strong option for anyone who wants full control over how their hairline sits.
It is also one of the few treatments that works well for scarring and alopecia. Where a transplant needs healthy donor hair and a viable recipient area, SMP simply covers what is there, so it suits people who are not candidates for surgery at all.
Real results
See how you can look
Before and after scalp micro pigmentation carried out at our clinics. Real results, all with a written guarantee.
Who it suits, and what to expect
SMP gives the best result for people with very little or no growth left on the scalp, typically Norwood 6 or 7, who are unlikely to be suitable for a transplant. It is important to be clear about what it does and does not do. It mimics the look of follicles, it does not mimic long strands of hair, and it will not make your hair grow.
Treatment usually takes 2 or 3 sessions of around 3 to 4 hours each, with a 30 minute design consultation first so you can agree the shape before any pigment goes in. There is no recovery period, so you can return to normal life straight away.
It is semi-permanent rather than permanent. The pigment fades gradually and most people need a small top up every 3 to 4 years. If you decide you no longer want it, you simply let it fade out.
We would not recommend booking a holiday immediately afterwards, because sun exposure can damage new pigment in the first week before it has settled.
What to expect from your sessions
Treatment usually takes 2 or 3 sessions of around 3 to 4 hours each, with a 30 minute design consultation first so you can agree the shape before any pigment goes in. There is no recovery period, so you can return to normal life straight away. We would not recommend booking a holiday immediately afterwards though, because sun exposure can damage new pigment in the first week before it has settled.
How long it lasts
Scalp micropigmentation is a semi-permanent solution and only requires a small touch-up every 3 to 4 years in some cases, as the pigment does fade over time. There is a detailed consultation before treatment which lets you discuss your needs and decide whether micropigmentation is the right option for you. If it is, you can then design the whole look you want, from front to back.
Scars, alopecia and blemishes
SMP is also an excellent solution for covering scars, alopecia or blemishes on the scalp. It will only benefit those with very little or no hair growing on the scalp, typically Norwood 6 or 7, who are very likely to be unsuitable for a hair transplant. It is important to be clear that the micro pigments will not mimic long strands of hair, nor will they help your hair to grow. They mimic hair follicles, to give the look of a freshly shaven head. If you are interested in scalp micropigmentation we would advise attending one of our free consultations so we can assess whether you are a suitable candidate.
Scalp micro pigmentation at a glance
Effectively 100%, because you design the shape and we can do as many sessions as it takes to reach the look you want. Three is usually the maximum.
Oily skin tends to fade pigment faster than normal or combination skin. Coverage is still excellent, it simply means top ups a little more often.
From around £1,500 to £2,900 depending on the size of the area being covered, with top ups at around £500 every 3 to 4 years.
A 30 minute design consultation, then sessions of roughly 3 to 4 hours each, with no recovery period afterwards.
Get In Touch
Is scalp micro pigmentation right for you?
Leave your details and a friendly, fully trained advisor will call you back. All calls are confidential, with no obligation, and we will tell you honestly whether surgery is right for you.
"*" indicates required fields
Cost & Finance
Clear pricing, with plans if you need them
We know the cost of a hair transplant can be daunting. We offer regular promotions to customers who have been for consultations; you just have to attend one to be in with a chance of hearing about them.
Another way to pay is in monthly instalments. You can spread the cost over 12 to 60 months, with payments ranging from £50 to £200 per month depending on how much you want to pay and how quickly you want the agreement to finish. There are no hidden fees. The quote you are given after your assessment is the price you pay, it includes your aftercare and products, and it is covered by our price match guarantee.
Save up to £2,000 · Payment plans from £70 · Guarantee with treatment · Price match guarantee
Plans from
£70 / month
Spread over
12–60 months
Save up to
£2,000
FAQs
Scalp micro pigmentation questions
Is scalp micro pigmentation permanent?
No, it is semi-permanent. It lasts roughly 3 to 4 years, after which you will need a top up. If you decide you no longer want the pigment you simply let it fade and it eventually disappears.
Is it painful?
It does not require numbing cream or anaesthetic. We do suggest taking mild painkillers an hour beforehand if you think you will need them. If you have had a tattoo before, most people find this less uncomfortable.
What is the aftercare?
There is very little. The main thing is that you cannot wash your hair for 4 days after treatment, so plan the date around that, and avoid strong sun in the first week while the pigment settles.
What should I expect on the day?
You start with a consultation to design the treatment area, then a 3 to 4 hour session. You are welcome to bring a book, laptop or tablet. The area will be red afterwards, so many people bring a hat for the journey home.
Can SMP be combined with a hair transplant?
Yes. SMP is often used alongside a transplant to add the appearance of density between grafts, or to disguise a donor scar. We will tell you at consultation if that combination suits your case.
Is scalp micro pigmentation painful?
It does not require any form of numbing cream or anaesthetic. We do recommend taking some mild painkillers an hour before treatment if you feel you might need it. If you have had any tattoos previously, most people find this less uncomfortable than a normal tattoo.
What is the aftercare?
There is limited aftercare for SMP. The main thing to note is that you cannot wash your hair for 4 days after treatment, so bear that in mind when arranging a date. We also recommend avoiding a holiday in the first week, as the sun can damage the pigment before it has settled.
What should I expect on the day?
It starts with a consultation where you design the area for treatment, then you begin your 3 to 4 hour session. Films are available to watch if you would like, or you can bring your own entertainment such as a book, laptop or tablet. After treatment the area will be red, so many people bring a hat for the journey home.
Will I need top-ups?
Yes. SMP is semi-permanent, so a top-up is usually needed every 3 to 4 years at around £500. If you are prone to oily skin the pigment can fade a little quicker, which may mean top-ups slightly more often.
Why choose us
Why patients choose UK Hair Transplant Clinics
Advanced Surgical Transplant Treatments
UK Hair's Consultant Clinicians, Patient Coordinators, Core Operations Managers and Surgical Team work together with the goal of providing patients the best experience possible. Many have been with UK Hair for more than 5 years and are among the most skilled and experienced in the field of hair transplantation. The UK Hair team have travelled to many conferences over the years, helping to demonstrate advanced surgical techniques, including the Maxi Hair Transplant, for those patients with more severe hair loss. Such is our recognised expertise in the field of hair restoration, UKHair staff are often approached to teach assistants from other clinics the nuances of the more advanced techniques. As a result, physicians from around the world regularly link in to UKHair to observe and learn which gives us great pride in the confidence placed in them and the respect with which they are held in the hair loss assessment industry.
Free Retreat Or Your Money Back
It is easy to make bold statements of success and much harder to stand behind them in a fast growing and heavily advertised market. We deal with real problems and appropriate solutions every day, and we have never been afraid of backing up what we claim. We only accept patients we know we can help, and we set expectations we know can be met, which is what allows us to offer a guarantee at all. If we are unable to achieve the treatment plan and the realistic result that goes with it, we will welcome you back and treat you again at no extra cost. That happens rarely. In the event that we cannot retreat you for medical reasons, you receive an appropriate refund instead.
All Surgical Facilities Are Registered With The Government's CQC (Care Quality Commission)
Our facilities are a blend of clinical technology and considered design. Our treatment and surgery rooms are designed to combine the latest in science and aesthetics. Our surgery rooms are fully equipped to handle a full day of Microscopic Follicular Unit Hair Transplantation or Follicular Unit Extraction surgery, one patient per room. Each surgery room is adjunct to a row of five to six high definition, optimal resolution microscope stations where technicians cut and sliver a patient's donor strip. No matter which facility you choose for your treatment, our attentive staff and relaxed, contemporary setting helps put patients at ease from the minute they have their hair loss assessment to the moment the surgery is complete.
Surgeons Who Only Do Hair Restoration
The physicians at UK Hair perform just one procedure: hair transplantation. They work one-on-one with patients throughout the process and typically prefer to schedule only one procedure a day to give each patient the attention and care they deserve.
Written Guarantee With Your Treatment
We advise over 6,000 patients every year. Hair loss and its correction is all we do, which is why we are willing to put our guarantee in writing rather than leave it as something said in a consultation room. Every surgical procedure we carry out comes with a written guarantee that sets out what we have agreed to achieve, and exactly what happens if we do not achieve it.
We Would Rather Say No Than Get It Wrong
We stand by our guarantee, but we take no pleasure in retreating patients, because for most people that is an added inconvenience they could do without. We do everything we can to avoid it being necessary, and that starts at the assessment. Only around 40% of the people we assess turn out to be suitable for a hair transplant, and we will say so when surgery is not the right answer. Years of experience mean we can usually spot a potential problem at consultation, and where we do, we say so.
More treatments
Other hair loss treatments we offer
See if scalp micro pigmentation suits you
Book a free video assessment and we will assess whether you are a suitable candidate, with no obligation.
