If there’s one thing you should know about hair tattoos, it’s that they aren't like regular tattoos — they’re not supposed to be seen.
You aren’t camouflaging your receding hairline by plastering Sailor Jerry across your scalp. Hair tattoos also have nothing to do with picking the right style for your ~*vibe*~.
A hair tattoo is a cosmetic medical procedure people use to help bolster the appearance of their hair — this stuff is supposed to blend in.
Referred to as scalp micropigmentation (SMP), this procedure is an alternative to other hair loss treatments, such as finasteride, minoxidil or hair transplant surgery — one that doesn’t restore any hair, but will give you the look of someone who never lost it.
Below, we’ve explained how hair tattoo procedures work, as well as the type of results you can expect from this approach to treating hair loss.
We’ve also discussed the other options that are available for treating hair loss, from medication to surgical procedures that permanently restore lost hair.
Hair tattoos, or scalp tattoos, are exactly what they sound like: tattoos that are used to cover up hair loss and create the appearance of a full head of hair using a technique called scalp micropigmentation (SMP). This technique involves tattooing the scalp with thousands of tiny, layered dots to mimic the appearance of natural hair follicles and tiny hairs.
When performed by a skilled professional, it can create the appearance of a full head of hair in a short, buzz-cut hairstyle. In areas of the scalp where the hair is thinning, a hair tattoo can make it look thicker and more dense.
Micropigmentation hair tattoos can be used to disguise many types of hair loss, including male pattern baldness and alopecia areata.
If you’re okay with the pain and discomfort, cosmetic hair tattooing can be well worth the effort. As long as you get it done by a professional and closely follow the aftercare instructions, it’s a pretty low-risk procedure.
The cosmetic hair tattooing process is pretty different from getting a regular tattoo. Scalp micropigmentation uses extremely fine needles that allow for the placement of small dots of pigment in the skin.
These needles cycle at a rate of 100 to 150 times per second, and as each needle comes into contact with the upper dermis, it applies a micro-droplet of pigment, creating a natural, follicle-like pattern on the scalp.
To mimic the appearance of real, natural hair that’s cut close to the scalp, a skilled operator will microneedle pigments as near to the skin’s surface as possible. They will also use a range of different dot sizes and pigments.
Because the ink is applied close to the surface layer of the skin, an SMP treatment creates the appearance of fine, tiny dots, rather than the smoother texture of a conventional tattoo. This can disguise thinning hair or a receding hairline.
Sometimes, SMP is used only to make hair in a specific part of the scalp appear denser. For example, a hairline tattoo may be used to cover up a receding hairline, or it might be placed near the back of the head to hide scarring from hair transplant surgery.
The length of the SMP treatment process can vary in duration, depending on the extent of the hair loss and the number of dots that need to be created. Often, it’s necessary to apply tens of thousands of tiny dots to the scalp over the course of several sessions.
In our opinion, one of the biggest downsides of cosmetic hair tattooing is the cost. Some sources put the price between $2,000 and $5,000 for substantial tattooing.
The exact cost of a micropigmentation hair tattoo will depend on a number of factors. This includes the tattoo artist you choose and their level of experience, as well as where you live. And then there’s the question of how much tattooing is involved — obviously, if you’re just touching up a small bald spot, that will entail significantly less work than someone who has gone fully bald.
With that said, the truth is that male pattern hair loss tends to get more noticeable over time. Your hairline will continue to recede, and the bald spot on the crown of your head will get bigger. This means you might need touch-ups over the years.
Getting a scalp tattoo can be a pretty big commitment — but people do it for good reason. For many men with hair loss, there are several advantages of hair tattoos over other hair loss procedures, including:
The appearance of a full head of hair. A scalp tattoo creates the appearance of a full head of hair unaffected by male pattern baldness.
Improvements in perceived density. Although scalp tattoos are usually used to give the appearance of a buzz cut, they can also make longer hair look more dense, especially in thinning areas such as the vertex scalp.
Long-lasting results. Unlike hairpieces, which need to be replaced and refitted every few months, hair tattoos offer long-lasting results. A typical hair tattoo will maintain its appearance for several years.
Low maintenance. Although you’ll need to practice good aftercare following the procedure, a hair tattoo is a relatively low-maintenance treatment. There’s no need to take a pill or apply a topical treatment every day.
Relatively tolerable procedure. Scalp micropigmentation is generally less painful than getting a traditional tattoo, as the needles only penetrate the uppermost layers of your skin.
Zero downtime. After your SMP treatment, you can go about your day as usual. You won’t need to take time off work after the procedure.
A short recovery period. It usually takes seven to 10 days for the scalp to heal after a hair tattooing procedure, after which results are visible. In comparison, a hair transplant may take up to six months to produce noticeable improvements in hair growth.
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Despite their benefits, hair tattoos also have several disadvantages. These include:
No real improvements in hair growth. While hair micropigmentation can make your hair appear more dense, it doesn’t actually stop hair loss. If you don’t mind the look of a buzz-cut shaved head, this is fine, but it’s not ideal if you’d like to grow long hair.
Up close, the results may not look totally natural. If they get up close, people might notice your hair’s texture isn’t totally natural. When someone touches your scalp, they’ll also be able to feel the difference between real hair and the tattooed area.
Lack of affordability, especially compared to other procedures. The cost of a scalp tattoo can vary depending on a few different factors. However, it’s certainly not the most budget-friendly procedure for treating hair loss.
Although rare, complications can occur. Possible complications of scalp pigmentation include skin infections and other serious infections like hepatitis C. This can be caused by contaminated packaging, tattoo ink or needles. Another possible side effect could be an allergic reaction to the ink.
Limited research on long-term safety. Since scalp micropigmentation is a relatively new type of procedure, there’s not much research on its long-term safety.
Potentially time-consuming procedure. Most people need several sessions to reach their desired level of density and coverage. On average, each session takes four to five hours, making the process quite time-consuming.
Despite being long-lasting, results aren’t permanent. Although tattooed hair can last for several years, the procedure needs to be repeated for natural-looking results. Over the long term, the costs of repeating this type of procedure can add up.
It’s fairly uncomfortable. Although it’s not as painful as getting a regular tattoo, a head tattoo procedure can still be quite uncomfortable — doubly so if you’re afraid of needles.
Not all tattooers are equally skilled. When searching for a hair tattoo artist, make sure to check customer testimonials and before-and-after photos. This can help you determine whether they can provide the results you’re looking for.
Removal can be costly. While scalp tattoos may fade over time, they don’t always go away entirely. If you change your mind and end up with scalp micropigmentation regrets down the road, hair tattoo removal can be fairly painful (and expensive).
As with regular tattoos, it’s important to be absolutely sure you want a hair tattoo before you head into the provider’s office. Many practices offer a free consultation, during which you can receive a personalized quote and learn more about the procedure, aftercare and recovery process.
While hair tattoos may be a saving grace for some, others may not find it appealing. Maybe it’s out of your budget, maybe you actually want your hair to grow or maybe you’re just afraid of needles (hey, no judgment from us). Fortunately, it’s definitely not the only hair loss solution out there.
If you’re starting to lose your hair, you can try the following treatments to stop hair loss, and even restore hair in areas of your scalp with noticeable thinning.
Medication is king when it comes to hair health. Currently, the FDA has approved two medications as hair loss treatments:
Finasteride: Finasteride is a prescription medication that reduces your production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and cause male pattern baldness.
Minoxidil: This over-the-counter medication for hair loss increases blood flow to your follicles. This then pushes them into the anagen, or growth, phase of the hair growth cycle. You can purchase this hair loss medication in the form of minoxidil foam or minoxidil solution.
Another option is a combination of finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss.
While a hair tattoo can reduce the appearance of baldness and hair thinning, these medications can slow hair loss down. It’s even possible they can stimulate regrowth in the areas of your scalp with visible hair loss.
Good news, though: It doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. If you’d like, you can use minoxidil and finasteride after getting a hair tattoo. Just be sure to let your scalp heal fully before using any topical medication.
Unlike scalp micropigmentation, which creates the appearance of hair follicles, a hair transplant actually moves hair follicles from one part of your scalp to another, allowing you to restore your hair and improve density and make hair thicker.
Modern hair transplant techniques involve moving a few of your own hair follicles to bald patches. This allows for a more convincing, natural-looking result than the hair plugs of a few decades ago.
For a hair transplant to be an effective treatment option, you’ll need to have enough existing hair to “donate” to the bald patches on your scalp, as well as healthy skin in the areas of your scalp affected by hair loss.
You’ll also need to cover surgical fees, which can often reach thousands of dollars. Still, even with the cost of a hair transplant, it could be an option worth considering if you’re looking for a long-term solution for hair loss.
Before you get ready to ink up, it’s important to look at the big picture — and not just one that can cover your blank canvas of a bald spot.
Here are some important takeaways for anybody considering SMP treatment:
Tattooing is effective. When done by an expert, SMP procedures can give you the appearance of real hair, thus disguising bald spots and areas with thinning hair.
It might be prohibitively expensive. Hair tattoo treatments are costly, and you may need to get touch-ups over the course of your life.
Hair tattoos don’t affect your follicles. SMP won’t worsen your hair loss, but it also won’t stop or reduce it. Fortunately, there are many hair loss treatments that can actually help with this.
If you’re considering a hair tattoo, it’s important to know the advantages and disadvantages, not to mention your other options for treating hair loss.
Ready to take the next step? Addressing hair loss often starts with consulting a healthcare practitioner. We can help set you up to speak with an expert from the comfort of your own home. From there, you can get the treatment you need.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.