Scalp Micropigmentation Aftercare

Day 0 to Day 5

For the first 5 days following treatment:

• • • No sweating heavily – Try not to engage in any intense exercise for 5 days following treatment. Excessive sweating could interrupt the healing process
    • No scrubbing and/or shampooing – Scrubbing the scalp can break the skin and open wounds, and shampooing could introduce harsh chemicals.
    • No shaving your head – Avoid shaving and irritating the area while it’s healing.
    • No exposure to long-term sunlight – UV rays from the sun can cause sunburn and sun damage. This could lead to premature fading of the scalp pigmentation.
    • No touching with hands – Refrain from touching your scalp with your hands too much. You could introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection.

During the first 5 days, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and taking any medication as prescribed. You can lightly rinse the scalp while it’s healing and dab the area with a wet cloth to keep it clean. Do not soak the scalp. You may also wear a hat, scarf, or skullcap and sleep any way that’s comfortable for you. The first 5 days is crucial to your scalp micropigmentation aftercare.

Day 5 to Day 10

For days 5 to 10, your head should be looking much better and healing nicely. However, it is still healing. You’ll want to make sure you’re still keeping up with your scalp micropigmentation aftercare routine. For the next 5 days:

• • • No scratching the scalp – As with tattoos, the skin on your scalp may begin to peel during these next few days. It’s important that you avoid scratching or picking any scabs that may form.
    • No shampooing or exfoliating – Shampoo and exfoliants can disrupt the formation of new skin layers during healing.
    • No using self-tanners or skin irritants – While your scalp is healing, avoid irritants that could cause inflammation and disturb the healing process.

What you can do is carefully shave or cut your hair if needed. You should also continue rinsing lightly with water and soap to clean the area. Applying a moisturizer will also help the healing stage during this time. Make sure any moisturizer used is fragrance-free. You can also resume working out with light exercise.

Dr. Squatch All Natural Bar Soap – Zero Grit

This is a nice natural soap that you can find on Amazon or at Target.  We like this soap because it’s made in the USA using a traditional cold process and with nourishing natural ingredients like Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Kaolin Clay. What is very important is there are NO harsh chemicals or synthetics like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or silicones, which makes this soap ideal during the healing process. Finally, there is absolutely not grit in this soap, meaning it will not exfoliate or be at all harsh while cleaning your scalp!

Fuse Scalp Micro-Pigmentation Aftercare Lotion – Anti-Shine

This is our favorite option when it comes to scalp micropigmentation aftercare lotion. It’s formulated specifically for people who have SMP.  This is more than just an aftercare lotion though, it’s a mattifying lotion and it also helps protect your SMP for years after the procedure. Don’t let your cosmetic procedure fade away! Fuse’s light serum is fast absorbed and easy on your procedure eliminating shine which helps to help blend your pigmentation with existing hair follicles. Super ingredients like tiger grass reduce scarring and provide color retention. Fuse is made in the USA, and it is specifically engineered for scalp micropigmentation.  FUSE is designed to help prolong your SMP investment resulting in fewer touch-ups and keeping your procedure looking great for longer.  We know this lotion is a little bit on the pricier side, but so is your SMP. This will be the best healing moisturizer for your SMP and we also strongly recommend using this daily to help blend your SMP with your scalp.  You only need a small amount, so this should last you for a good period of time!

BaByliss PRO Barberology MetalFX Series

This is our number 1 choice when it comes to the best clippers for men with scalp micropigmentation.  These clippers take the hair down to a perfect stubble for almost all hair types and styles. You just invested thousands in your SMP treatment, you might as well buy the best clipper to keep it looking natural and perfect. This trimmer comes standard with the Ultra-Thin Zero-Gap DLC/Titanium T-Blade (FX707Z), so there is no messing around trying to do that zero gapping yourself like some other trimmers on the market.  Personally we take out a little bit of the zero gapping to create the best stubble.   There are tons of videos out there for how you can zero-gap these clippers, so just reverse it a tiny bit to remove some of that zero gapping. These clippers feature an exposed blade with 360-degree views. This clipper has become the industry standard in barbering nowadays, and it only makes sense that you should be using it for your SMP to give you the best possible look.

Day 10 to 30

After 10 days, your scalp should be healed enough to return to your normal routine. You may be scheduled for your next treatment session after 10 days. However, your next treatment date will depend on how it has healed so far. Before your next follow-up session, you’ll be requested to wash your head.

• • • No exposure to long-term sunlight – You shouldn’t go out in the sun for long periods of time for up to 30 days since your last micropigmentation procedure. Sunlight contains dangerous UV rays that can interfere with the healing process of your scalp. Wear a loosely fitted clean hat if you go out in bright sunlight to protect your scalp and let the natural pigments do their job.
    • Avoid swimming – Another thing you should avoid for the first 30 days is swimming in pools, lakes, seas or rivers. Swimming can expose your scalp to salty water, chlorine, and bacteria which can ruin the results of your micropigmentation procedure. You are not allowed to swim for up to 30 days since your last/final procedure.

After a month (30 days) from your final treatment session, you can do pretty much anything you want, provided that you don’t have any upcoming micropigmentation sessions. You can go swimming, you can go out during sunny days and resume your regular lifestyle. However, make sure that you use non-greasy sunscreen if you go out during a very hot summer day. You can also wear a light-colored hat to protect your scalp from dangerous UV rays.  You may also want to consider using a daily matte moisturizer to help preserve the longevity of your SMP investment.

Longterm Scalp Micropigmentation Aftercare

Even after you have fully healed past the 30 days of your final treatment we have some tips for keeping your scalp micropigmentation always looking its best.

• • • UV rays are harmful, so make sure to put on some sunscreen or a hat before long exposure to sunlight.
    • Use a small amount of moisturizer after showering. We suggest a matte lotion which you can find on our aftercare lotion & sunsccreen page.
    • Avoid products containing AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) or high concentrations of alcohol on the treated area because it will increase the chance of pigment fading.

Paula’s Choice – Extra Care Matte Sunscreen SPF 50

It’s tough to find a matte sunscreen with no tint, and any that you do find are usually extremely high in price.  This is probably the best matte scalp micropigmentation aftercare lotion with SPF that we have found to date, and it is very affordable. This non-greasy sunscreen with SPF 50 offers reliable broad-spectrum sun protection without feeling thick or oily. In fact, you may be surprised by its silky texture and smooth matte finish that’s so unlike many high-SPF sunscreens. This antioxidant-rich sunscreen is suitable for the scalp and we recommend it to all of our clients. Its water-resistant formula is ideal for outdoor activities as well. This product is 100% fragrance- and colorant-free.  This product is our favorite sunscreen for the scalp!

NOTES: It is important not to use sunscreen during the healing process as some chemicals in sunscreen may effect the ink in SMP.