What Is Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)?
Written by the Fix My Hair Editorial Team · Clinician-reviewed by Dr Hisham Band · GMC No. 7550130 · Last reviewed 14 Jun 2026SMP is the most misunderstood treatment we offer, and for the right person, the most transformative. Here’s what it actually is.
Learn more about scalp micropigmentation with Fix My Hair.
What is scalp micropigmentation?
Scalp micropigmentation (SMP), also called micro scalp pigmentation, hair micropigmentation or a hair tattoo, is a non-surgical treatment that places thousands of tiny dots of specialist pigment into the upper layer of the scalp to recreate the look of closely shaved hair follicles. From a normal viewing distance the dots read as real stubble, so SMP can give a bald or balding head the look of a full buzz cut, make thinning hair look denser, or hide scars. It does not grow hair. Treatment is built up over 4 to 6 sessions spaced 7 to 14 days apart, each lasting a few hours, with a day or two of mild redness afterwards. The pigment softens over roughly three to five years and is refreshed with a short top-up. At Fix My Hair, SMP is a fixed £1,800 with all 4 to 6 sessions included, whichever look you choose.
How does SMP work?
A practitioner uses a fine needle and specialist pigment to place each dot at a controlled depth, matching the size, colour and pattern of your natural follicles. The dots are layered across sessions to build a realistic, varied look, not a solid block of colour. Crucially, SMP doesn’t use standard tattoo ink (which turns blue-green over time); it uses pigments and techniques designed to fade naturally and stay true to tone.
What can SMP be used for?
- The shaved look, for bald or balding men, SMP recreates the appearance of a full, closely-cropped head of hair. The most transformative use.
- Density, for thinning hair, pigment placed between existing hairs reduces the contrast between hair and scalp, making thin areas look fuller.
- Scar camouflage, SMP can disguise scars from previous surgery (including FUT strip scars) or other causes, blending them into the surrounding look.
How many SMP sessions do you need?
Usually 4 to 6, spaced 7 to 14 days apart, so the pigment can settle and the look builds up gradually. Each session lasts a few hours, with minimal downtime: some redness for a day or two and a quick return to normal. Building it across sessions is what produces a natural, layered result rather than a flat one.
How long does scalp micropigmentation last?
SMP is best described as semi-permanent. The pigment gradually softens and fades over roughly three to five years as the skin renews, after which a top-up refreshes it. That’s actually an advantage: it lets the look be adjusted as you age, for example adding grey to match greying hair, rather than being locked in forever.
How much does scalp micropigmentation cost?
At Fix My Hair, SMP is one fixed price of £1,800 with 4 to 6 sessions included, whichever look you choose: the shaved look, added density or a hairline refinement. Top-up sessions every three to five years start from £150. The price is confirmed in writing before you book.
SMP vs hair transplant vs hair system
| SMP | FUE hair transplant | Hair system | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surgery | No | Yes | No |
| Grows real hair | No | Yes | No |
| Treatment | 4 to 6 sessions | One procedure day | Custom fitting |
| How long it lasts | 3 to 5 years, then a top-up | Permanent | System replaced periodically |
| Price at Fix My Hair | £1,800 fixed | £3,500, £4,500 or £5,500 fixed | From £299 |
See SMP vs hair transplant for help choosing, and hair systems for the non-surgical alternative.
Can SMP be removed?
Yes. It fades naturally over a few years if you stop topping it up, and laser removal can take it away sooner if you change your mind. You are not locked in.
Who is SMP for?
SMP suits a wide range of people: men who are bald or balding and want a sharp shaved look without surgery; men and women with thinning hair who want more apparent density; those camouflaging a scar; and anyone wanting an immediate, low-maintenance result with no downtime. Because it’s pigment, not hair, it works across all skin tones and hair colours.
What SMP can’t do
The honest limit: SMP doesn’t grow hair or add length. It creates the appearance of follicles. For the shaved look, that means keeping your real hair clipped short so it blends with the pigment. If you want actual growing hair you can run your fingers through, that’s a hair transplant, and the two are sometimes combined.
Common questions
Does SMP hurt? Most people find it very tolerable, a mild scratching sensation, less than a conventional tattoo, with numbing available.
Will it look fake? Done well, no, see does SMP look natural? The practitioner’s skill is everything.
Is it permanent? Semi-permanent, it fades over 3 to 5 years and is refreshed with a top-up.
How much does SMP cost? At Fix My Hair it is a fixed £1,800, with 4 to 6 sessions included.
Can SMP be removed? Yes. It fades naturally over a few years without top-ups, and laser removal can take it away sooner.
Key takeaways
- SMP mimics shaved follicles with pigment
- It doesn’t grow hair, it reduces contrast
- Shaved, density and hairline looks are possible
- Same-day, non-surgical, all skin tones
- Results last years with occasional top-ups
- Fixed £1,800 at Fix My Hair, 4 to 6 sessions included
