This post was updated on June 27th, 2016, and October 30th 2020. This is a specialized form of SMP, so always ensure your technician has specific experience with scalp micropigmentation treatments for female clients.
Men are not the only ones who suffer from the loss of hair. Women endure many hormonal upheavals in their lives which are the primary reason for thinning hair. That said, stress, surgeries, medications, overall health, dermatological issues, and even hairstyles themselves contribute to the possibility of the fairer sex losing their hair.
Whether or not we approve, hair is a definitive component of a women’s self identity. Long or short, women and hairstyles vary far more than they do with men. Likewise, it has become more socially acceptable for men to be bald or balding, mainly because it occurs more often to them and we have become accustomed to it. Think of the list of revered male characters, both real and in caricature, who have, even for centuries, proudly, and stylishly sported baldness. Of course, this is not the case in all cultures, and again we do not subscribe to socially accepted stigmas when they can be the cause of loss of self esteem.
Women, nevertheless, do not adjust well to hair loss. That much we have seen first hand.
Scalp micropigmentation for women is a fast-growing service being offered by some clinics. A while back I penned an article which recommended keeping hair longer after scalp micropigmentation.
This piece may appear to contradict those thoughts to a degree. However, as women lose their hair in a very different pattern than men do, this means the available options for women dealing with hair loss are both fewer and quite different.
When a man receives scalp micropigmentation treatments, the purpose is to replicate individual shaven hair follicles. When a woman undergoes treatments, however, the primary goal is to reduce the contrast between the hair and the bare scalp. This difference is important because it totally changes the technician’s approach.
When a man loses his hair, generally he goes bald in a predictable pattern that includes recession of his frontal hairline, thinning of the crown, followed by the gradual onset of total baldness. When a woman loses her hair, she usually experiences diffuse thinning. This means she loses hair evenly across her entire scalp but is unlikely to go entirely bald. Yet the frontal hairline will almost certainly remain intact. This enables scalp micropigmentation to be used very effectively in her favour.
In the case of hair loss that is a result of long-term styling such as plaits or rows, it is common to see hair thin in the areas where it has been pulled tight. Hair follicles, like many muscles in our bodies, can be lazy when not respected. When a hair follicle is repeatedly pulled, it eventually gives up and goes to sleep (antigen stage). Often it needs time to wake up (telogen phase). In the meantime, however, women do not generally like those patches of scalp showing.
Women can shave if they wish, but it is absolutely not a requirement by any stretch. In fact, the vast majority of women would never do that, nor do they have to.
It is the fact women do not need to do this in most cases that Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) has become the most sought-after treatment for hair loss/balding in women.
An advanced scalp micropigmentation artist can skillfully apply treatment in such a way so that it blends in quite seamlessly with the existing surrounding hair. Certainly, a woman may elect to shave their hair if they wish; but, it likely better to choose a close cut rather than a shaven head, for the majority of clients.
The technician works through the scalp by repeatedly parting the hair section by section, applying pigment to the scalp in the usual way. The level of detail is not as important, nor are matters such as blending. However, it is vital to ensure your technician is using a pigment that will not change colour as it heals. Not all pigments are created equal. Moreover, the skin of the scalp is a vastly different canvass requiring in-depth knowledge of its complex structure and understanding of how it heals with the exact colour choices applied.
Reputable clinics generally know what they are doing in that regard. The result is effectively a shaded scalp. Essentially, what this means is that it becomes much harder, if not impossible, to notice any colour change between existing natural hair and the treated scalp areas. Hair appears thicker, denser.
In fact, some women are born with thin hair and have had it their entire lives. When the hair itself is dark, the thinness of the hair is detectable owing to the slight visibility of the scalp beneath. She may not be experiencing any stress, hormonal fluctuations, or any hair loss whatsoever…she may just be wanting her thin hair to look thicker.
Just as it does for ladies who are losing some hair, the same applies for those who are not, but who were not born with thick locks.
Losing hair or not, it is quite common for hair loss in women to reverse itself. No one knows when, or for how long she will experience looking down at the pillow or shower drain to see a clump of hair not there the day before. Not a good way to begin a day really. In the meantime, SMP is the perfect, most natural, and practical solution. It is non-invasive, gradual, and if she chooses to keep it a secret, she can, and no one will know. If hair grows back the shading on the scalp remains with no long-term harm whatsoever. Best of all, this is affordable.
Alopecia that manifests itself as a generalized thinning of the hair, can be camouflaged using scalp micropigmentation. Alopecia areata (patchy hair loss) or alopecia totalis (total hair loss) needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability and the level of camouflage possible.
Only when a woman has suffered or is expected to suffer full hair loss would a close cut be a good idea. Alopecia is rare. While the cause remains a mystery, it is believed that an immune system irregularity specifically attacks the hair follicles. It is not always permanent, but it can be frustrating and distressing.
As said before, only an advanced clinic will be able to plan for and make suitable recommendations in such cases. The goal is always to restore confidence.
No. The procedure works significantly better on brunettes and darker redheads. Although scalp micropigmentation is commonly used on blonde men, is not generally recommended for blonde women.
Why you ask? Well, pigments which are not primary colours are made up of colour mixes to create the perfect shade. Lighter browns do not contain high concentrations of more stable colours. It requires an extensive level of training to use lighter colours on scalps with thinning hair as opposed to full hair loss.
That said, if the full head is shaved, SMP using lighter colours is achievable with an advanced artist. Colours behave differently in the scalp skin due to its unique structure.
As always SMP is intended to be natural and yield the most natural long-lasting results. Therefore, without sounding too scientific, SMP for lighter haired women is less likely to offer the longevity preferred.
The number of women shaving their heads is on the increase. It has been made a stylish option by high profile individuals like Demi Moore, Jessie J, Brittney Spears, Lupito Nyong’o, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, and others.
While they have had a part to play in this change, some of the most stylish women in fashion magazines, while lesser known, have made head shaving an art form.
When women decide to get scalp micropigmentation for thinning hair, and who have elected to shave their heads, they will undergo treatment in the same way that men do.
As always, the most complementary look is achieved by focussing on elevating a woman’s strongest and most beautiful features.
There are far fewer published examples of women who have scalp micropigmentation versus men, simply because women are generally less comfortable publicly sharing their before and after photos.
However, make no mistake. Scalp micropigmentation for women is on an accelerated rise because the word is out about this extraordinary treatment. Reputable clinics wanting the absolute best for clients now offer this service routinely.
If you’re suffering with female pattern hair loss, postpartum hair loss, telogen effluvium or alopecia, and want to do something about it, take comfort in knowing that thousands of women have trodden the path before you, and are very happy with their results. As always, just make sure you choose a clinic that can demonstrate quality results, specifically on women.
To do this, research galleries, check out credentials, insist on a thorough consultation. Women are among the most adept at intuition! Let it guide you and if you have any doubts whatsoever, look up reviews and ask for references.
