Will scalp micropigmentation damage my existing hair or follicles?

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    Surveyed from the published FAQs of 92 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: “Does SMP damage hair follicles?” · “Will it damage existing hair?” · “Will it damage my existing hair?” · “Does scalp micropigmentation damage hair follicles?”

    Most providers assert that scalp micropigmentation does not damage existing hair follicles80%Stated by 80% of the providers we surveyed. Including 6e/mp, SMP HQ, MM Seattle SMP, Scalp Culture, ScalPerfection, EJ Hair Clinic SMP, and 14 more. or interfere with natural hair growth. They emphasize that scalp micropigmentation is a superficial procedure51%Stated by 51% of the providers we surveyed. Including The Scalp Shop (scalp micropigmentation), Creative Scalps, Scalp Designs, Head INK SMP - Scalp Micropigmentation, SMPCA, Toronto Scalp Micropigmentation Studio, and 14 more., with pigment deposited only in the upper layers of the skin, above the depth of hair follicles. This suggests the procedure is designed to avoid any direct impact on the follicles themselves.

    About half of clinics claim that scalp micropigmentation may stimulate hair growth36%Stated by 36% of the providers we surveyed. Including LGS Hair Clinic, SKALP INK MICROPIGMENTATION, SMP by Rachel, The SMP Studio, SMP Mobile, Scalp Los Angeles - Scalp Micropigmentation in Los Angeles, and 14 more. by increasing blood circulation in the scalp. This assertion is part of the marketing narrative that SMP not only camouflages hair loss but might also have a beneficial effect on hair health.

    Additionally, about a quarter of providers describe scalp micropigmentation as a non-invasive procedure26%Stated by 26% of the providers we surveyed. Including Tampa Scalp Ink Scalp Micropigmentation, JOE SMP, Integrated Ink SMP Micropigmentation, Advanced GroHair & GloSkin, Jae Pak, M.D., Skalp, and 14 more., likening it to tattooing. This characterization is intended to reassure potential clients about the minimal physical impact of the procedure.

    However, a few clinics acknowledge that improper technique or poor practices4%Stated by 4% of the providers we surveyed. Including Scalp MP Clinic, GEMINI INKED (formerly SMP INKED), Hair Destination Studio - Hair Replacement in Mumbai, Potential Clinic. in scalp micropigmentation could potentially cause complications. This concession highlights the importance of choosing a skilled and experienced practitioner to minimize any risks associated with the procedure.

    Sources

    Cited from clinics like these

    In their own words — drawn from 117 clinics whose published guidance fed this answer, showing 24. 1 translated into English from the clinic's own language.

    1. … the ink between the hair follicles deep beneath the skin. It does not damage them in any way, so your hair will still grow.
      6e/mp Brandon, US
    2. No, SMP does not damage hair follicles when performed correctly.
      SMP HQ Melbourne, AU
    3. No, SMP does not damage your hair follicle, in fact it might stimulate hair growth.
      MM Seattle SMP Seattle, US
    4. No. The SMP treatment does not damage existing hair growth nor does it damage hair growth from hair transplant procedures.
      Scalp Culture Northampton, IR
    5. … and the depth at which the hair follicle is treated, it is not negatively affected. Translated
      Cristian Ojeda Micropigmentación Capilar Sevilla, ES
    6. No not at all, if anything the treatment has been known to stimulate hair growth in some cases.
      LGS Hair Clinic Unterwössen, DE
    7. … treatment that only works on the surface layer of the skin. It does not affect your natural hair follicles or growth cycle, so your hair can continue to grow normally.
      EJ Hair Clinic SMP Bristol, GB
    8. … over the hair follicle, there should be no damage and it will not interfere with future growth or damage existing hair.
      ScalPerfection Cambridge, GB
    9. No. Scalp micropigmentation does not damage existing hair or hair follicles.
      The Scalp Shop (scalp micropigmentation) El Paso, US
    10. … the upper dermis, if anything the treatment has been known to stimulate hair growth.
      Creative Scalps Crawley, GB
    11. No. SMP is superficial and doesn’t affect follicles.
      Scalp Designs Milton, US
    12. … as it creates more blood circulation within the scalp, so it certainly won’t damage any existing hair, rather it may encourage hair growth.
      SKALP INK MICROPIGMENTATION Upper Marlboro, US
    13. No. SMP is a non-invasive procedure that does not affect existing hair follicles or hair growth.
      Tampa Scalp Ink Scalp Micropigmentation Oldsmar, US
    14. Not at all, as the depth of the needle is only into the upper dermis.
      Head INK SMP - Scalp Micropigmentation Northampton, GB
    15. The treatment does not damage existing hair or interfere with natural hair growth.
      Toronto Scalp Micropigmentation Studio Toronto, CA
    16. … and will actually help promote blood flow to the area and will not damage the existing hair.
      SMP by Rachel Vancouver, CA
    17. … in the upper dermis (0.5-1.5mm depth) at the follicular level, not deep enough to damage the follicle structure.
      SMPCA San Lorenzo, US
    18. No. The SMP treatment does not damage existing hair growth nor does it damage hair growth from hair transplant procedures.
      The SMP Studio Birmingham, GB
    19. No, Scalp Micropigmentation doesn’t harm hair follicles.
      SMP Mobile Los Angeles, US
    20. Scalp Micropigmentation will not affect your current hair.
      Scalp Los Angeles - Scalp Micropigmentation in Los Angeles Los Angeles, US
    21. Nope, SMP won’t damage your hair follicles.
      Scalp Micropigmentation by BarberINK New York, US
    22. No, it won’t affect the existing and healthy follicles, under any circumstances.
      Jackson Lamar Dallas, US
    23. In fact, in some cases SMP has been known to stimulate hair growth due to its needling effect.
      Scalp Nation Hornchurch, GB
    24. … as it creates more blood circulation within the scalp, so it certainly won’t damage any existing hair.
      Anna Mitchell Trichology Clinic Hastings, GB