Scalp Studio SMP

Before your treatment

Getting your scalp ready

Aftercare for SMP is simple, with little to no downtime. Each session settles over about seven days, and we adjust your plan as we go.

• Avoid sun in the days before, especially if you burn easily. A sunburnt scalp hurts and may reject pigment, and we may need to reschedule.
• Dry scalp conditions such as dandruff, eczema or psoriasis need to be cleared up first. Skin that is dry or flaking will not take pigment properly.
• Moisturise. Use a water based moisturiser beforehand, and a sugar scrub or light exfoliation five days before to shift dead skin.
• Stop Minoxidil and other topical treatments at least 72 hours before.
• If you wear a wig unit, take it off seven days before so your scalp can breathe and any glue irritation clears.
• Eat before you come. Being tattooed on an empty stomach can make you feel ill.
• Wear a dark shirt. We work with ink and it can splatter.

Medical

• SMP is not suitable if you are prone to keloid scarring, or have any active or changing alopecia.
• We cannot treat you during chemotherapy, or within 12 months of it, because of how it affects pigment settling.
• Type 2 diabetes needs a doctor's clearance, because of higher infection risk and certain medications.
• Blood thinning medication must be finished 30 days before.
• Antibiotics must be finished seven days before.
• You must not be pregnant or breastfeeding, and all clients must be over 18.
• If you are unsure about your general health, or have an unusual scalp condition, get a doctor's clearance first.

After your treatment

The first two weeks

Keep it clean and dry, stay out of the sun, and moisturise once it has settled. Because the pigment sits in a shallow layer of skin, skipping this can cause uneven healing and mean extra sessions.

Day 1 to day 4

• Avoid anything that makes you sweat heavily for two to four days.
• Keep your scalp out of strong sun for at least seven days.
• Do not submerge your scalp in water for four days, or in chlorinated water for seven.
• You may see small scab like dots shedding. That is normal healing. Do not scratch or pick, as it pulls the pigment out.
• In the shower, keep water off your scalp. A shower cap helps. Clean gently with clean hands, wet wipes or a wet paper towel. No soap or shampoo yet.
• Loose hats or work hard hats are fine, but let your skin breathe. No beanies or tight hats for five days.

Day 5 to day 7

• Wash your head as normal again with warm water and no scrubbing. For bald heads, a light cleanser such as baby shampoo works well. Follow with a water based lotion or a light oil such as jojoba.
• Clippers only for now.

Day 8 to day 14

• No chemical colours, fibres, makeup, antibiotic creams, ointments, Minoxidil or Retin-A on the treated area until fully healed. Allow at least ten days after your final session.
• Stay out of strong sun. For shaved heads, always use sunscreen, and wear a hat through the seven to ten day settling period.
• Sun damage that causes peeling leads to fading and uneven results, even after you are fully healed.
• Wet shave with a razor only from ten days after each session.
• Do not rub, pick or scratch. Tap gently if it itches.
• Keep your scalp moisturised once it has settled.

Day 15 onward

• Back to your normal routine.

Looking after it long term

• Exfoliate your scalp at least twice a month.
• Avoid chlorinated pools, saltwater, saunas and steam rooms for three weeks after treatment.
• Always wear SPF 50 or higher. UV fades pigment.
• Avoid products high in alcohol. If alcohol is near the top of the ingredients list, skip it.
• Avoid anything containing AHA, as it fades the pigment.

Not sure about something? Message Kayla. It is always better to ask than to guess.