Can I use hair loss treatments (finasteride, minoxidil) after scalp micropigmentation?

    ← back to Scalp Micropigmentation

    Surveyed from the published FAQs of 26 scalp micropigmentation providers. The percentage on each highlighted claim is the share of surveyed providers who state it — hover to see who.

    Also asked as: “Can I still use hair growth products after scalp micropigmentation?” · “Can I still use Propecia and/or Rogaine after my treatment?” · “Can I still take Finasteride or Propecia and Rogaine during my treatments?” · “Can I still use Finasteride and/or Minoxidil after my treatment?”

    About half of providers assert that clients can continue using finasteride42%Stated by 42% of the providers we surveyed. Including MM Seattle SMP, Scalp Micro USA, Ryan Kingsbury Scalp Micro Pigmentation, Kim Apple Beauty, Chroma Clinic Scalp Micropigmentation, Maryam Beauty | HiBROW, and 5 more. during and after their SMP procedure. This suggests that finasteride, a common oral medication for hair loss, is generally considered compatible with SMP.

    However, about half of clinics recommend that topical minoxidil should be suspended42%Stated by 42% of the providers we surveyed. Including Emulate Follicles, Evolved Hair Restoration, Sculpted Ink, Scalp & Art - Scalp Micropigmentation, Unfade Brows Microblading Academy Beverly Hills, Ilkley Moor Trichology Clinic, and 5 more. during the course of SMP treatment and for 30 days following the final session. This pause is advised to ensure proper healing and settling of the pigment, as minoxidil could potentially interfere with these processes. It is a clinic aftercare convention, not a label instruction or a trial finding, and it has a cost the clinics rarely spell out: a course of sessions plus 30 days can mean one to three months off treatment, and stopping minoxidil usually causes shedding and loss of the regrowth it was holding. The advice was written for topical minoxidil; oral minoxidil is a prescription medicine and should not be paused on a tattooist's say-so. Ask your prescriber before pausing either form.

    About a quarter of providers state that further hair loss does not change31%Stated by 31% of the providers we surveyed. Including thINK aHEAD SMP, The Barber Bishop, Mane Illusions SMP, SCALPMICRO Scalp Micropigmentation Edmonton, Integrated Ink SMP Micropigmentation, Just Beauty, and 2 more. or diminish the outcome of the procedure. That is a provider claim: pattern hair loss usually keeps progressing around a fixed tattoo, so the design may need changing later.

    A minority of providers claim that scalp micropigmentation is safe15%Stated by 15% of the providers we surveyed. Including Monostudio Beauty Studio & Academy, thINK aHEAD SMP, Kim Apple Beauty, and 1 more. and poses no risk to hair regrowth. Additionally, they assert that SMP does not interfere with hair growth15%Stated by 15% of the providers we surveyed. Including MM Seattle SMP, Monostudio Beauty Studio & Academy, Just Beauty, and 1 more. treatments. These claims are part of the marketing narrative that SMP is a non-invasive and compatible option for those undergoing other hair loss treatments. No published study was found testing whether SMP affects response to minoxidil or finasteride, so "no risk" overstates the evidence.

    Finally, a minority of providers also claim that scalp micropigmentation does not damage hair follicles12%Stated by 12% of the providers we surveyed. Including Kim Apple Beauty, Just Beauty.. This assertion is important for clients concerned about the potential impact of SMP on their existing hair health.

    Finasteride and minoxidil are medicines with their own risks. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, pausing or combining them around scalp micropigmentation, and tell the SMP practitioner what you take.

    Sources

    Cited from clinics like these

    In their own words — drawn from 31 clinics whose published guidance fed this answer, showing 24. 5 translated into English from the clinic's own language.

    1. Clients can continue using laser cap and Propecia during and after the SMP.
      MM Seattle SMP Seattle, US
    2. After completing SMP, you can resume your usual routine, but no guarantees exist that hair treatments won’t impact pigment retention.
      Vancouver SMP Vancouver, CA
    3. Rogaine (topical minoxidil) should be suspended during the course of treatment and for 30 days post your final session.
      Scalp Micro USA Boca Raton, US
    4. … regrows at some point in the future, scalp micropigmentation poses no risk whatsoever, due to our insistence on only the finest quality pigments and equipment.
      thINK aHEAD SMP Union, US
    5. After SMP, avoid using Minoxidil for at least 30 days to allow proper healing of the pigmented areas on the scalp.
      Emulate Follicles Bengaluru, IN
    6. Topical Rogaine foam should be stopped during the treatment and then continued 30 days after your last session.
      Ryan Kingsbury Scalp Micro Pigmentation London, CA
    7. These treatments address the appearance of hair loss but don't stop natural hair loss from progressing.
      The Barber Bishop Greenwood, US
    8. If you experience further hair loss, we can adjust the SMP treatment to accommodate the new hair loss pattern, ensuring a consistent and natural look.
      Mane Illusions SMP Nolensville, US
    9. … things to understand: because SMP works at the scalp level and does not depend on hair follicles, further hair loss does not change or diminish your result.
      Integrated Ink SMP Micropigmentation Port Moody, CA
    10. Yes! In fact, many clients continue their hair loss treatments to maintain their natural hair while using smp for men to fill in the gaps.
      Kim Apple Beauty Palm Beach Gardens, US
    11. The treatment replicates a shaved-head appearance, which means additional natural hair loss doesn't disrupt the result the way it might with a hairline-restoration treatment.
      SCALPMICRO Scalp Micropigmentation Edmonton Edmonton, CA
    12. In no way. The pigment and technique are chosen according to your skin and hair tone for a natural … Translated
      Breno Kaiê - Micropigmentação Capilar Belém, BR
    13. Rogaine (topical minoxidil) should be suspended during the course of treatment and for 30 days post your final session.
      Chroma Clinic Scalp Micropigmentation Vancouver, CA
    14. … may not work for all men, it is generally accepted as a treatment to stop further hair loss.
      MHR Clinic Ltd. Dublin, IE
    15. We expect that, and we plan ahead. Future fading or changes to your hairline can be adjusted in top-up sessions to keep everything balanced.
      Skalptec Ltd Wigan, GB
    16. You may wait out 1 week before resuming your hair growth treatments.
      Monostudio Beauty Studio & Academy Singapore, SG
    17. Yes, micropigmentation densification is completely compatible with medical treatments for hair loss such as minoxidil (topical or oral) or finasteride. Translated
      SMP Solution, tricopigmentation - micropigmentation capillaire Arçonnay, FR
    18. Rogaine (topical minoxidil) should be discontinued during the treatment and for 30 days after the last session. Translated
      ScalpCare Zürich, CH
    19. [fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" min_height_medium="" min_height_small="" min_height="" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" align_content="stretch"…
      Just Beauty Guildford, GB
    20. However, topical Minoxidil should be temporarily suspended during the course of treatment and for 30 days post session.
      Evolved Hair Restoration Dhaka, BD
    21. Rogaine (topical minoxidil) should be suspended during the course of treatment and for 30 days post your final session.
      Maryam Beauty | HiBROW New York, US
    22. Yes. Scalp micropigmentation is completely compatible with medical hair treatments. Translated
      MicroScalp Santiago, CL
    23. Topical minoxidil should be discontinued during the process and for 30 days following the last session. Translated
      Microscalp Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, AR
    24. Rogaine (topical minoxidil) should be suspended during the course of treatment and for 30 days post your final session.
      Unfade Brows Microblading Academy Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, US