Laser Scalp Micropigmentation Removal: Your Opportunity to Start Over

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is designed to combat the appearance of a thinning head of hair. The idea is that, by coloring in the scalp with permanent ink to minimize the appearance of the skin between the follicles of hair, the appearance of balding will be minimized. Scalp micropigmentation can also be used in instances where, due to trauma or older methods of hair restoration, scars on the scalp produce bald spots (where the follicles are destroyed) that are noticeably different in appearance from the rest of the scalp.

Done correctly, scalp micropigmentation can be an effective and permanent tool at keeping you looking young, and it can be done in such a way as to preserve whatever functioning hair follicles the patient has left. However, the unfortunate fact of the matter is that sometimes scalp micropigmentation does not turn out as intended (more on this below).

Mistakes or Errors in the Scalp Micropigmentation Process

No matter how advanced or cutting edge the scalp micropigmentation equipment may be, the fact that it is operated by a person means there will be times where mistakes are made. Sometimes, the technician may misjudge the patient’s hairline, resulting in pigment existing where hair follicles never did. This can result in the appearance of an abnormally low (or high) hairline, making laser tattoo removal a necessity.

Other times, the technician may have applied the pigment in such a way as to produce a permanent monochromatic appearance around the follicles. This can leave the patient looking as if he or she is wearing a helmet that happens to adhere tightly to his or her skin. In such a case, having the tattoo removed is the only way to return to a normal appearance.

Still another common error in the scalp micropigmentation process comes when the technician treats it the same as he or she would treat a tattoo on the body. Keep in mind that the pigment used in the scalp micropigmentation is supposed to be deposited into the scalp at a much shallower depth than the pigment used in regular tattoos on the rest of the body. However, some technicians deposit the ink too deep into the scalp, a mistake that can have serious permanent aesthetic consequences if it is not removed.

Pigment that is placed too deeply into the scalp tissue will not appear the same as pigment placed at the correct depth. When the pigment is too deep, patients may discover that the skin around the hair follicles takes on a permanent bluish or greenish tint. In short, rather than looking like the patient’s hair, the skin looks like a blue or green tattoo that simply takes the shape of the patient’s hairline. In such a case, laser tattoo removal may be the best option.

Another result that can arise when the pigmentation is too deep under the skin is a splotchy appearance under the hair follicles. The dots of pigmentation may appear too large, and in some cases may begin to connect as the ink spots bleed into each other. Again, if this is the situation, laser tattoo removal could be the solution, and it can give the patient the look he or she wants without any scarring.

A Change of Heart: When Scalp Micropigmentation No Longer Meets Your Expectations or Desires

A second reason that people may want to have scalp micropigmentation removed is a simple change in heart. Perhaps the process yielded results that, while expected, simply don’t “do it” for the patient anymore. Or, perhaps the scalp micropigmentation technician oversold the process, and the patient feels that the outcome isn’t what he or she expected. Sometimes, patients are unhappy with the outcome, but because they fear scarring they think they have no choice but to live with it.

Other patients may be happy with the scalp micropigmentation results at first, but as time passes, they may decide that they want to have the tattoo removed. Perhaps a friend or acquaintance says something to make them feel self-conscious. Or perhaps they just decide that it’s time for a change, and they want the tattoo removal process to leave their hair follicles undamaged (as well as leaving no scarring). Whatever the cause, it is not uncommon for a patient to seek out laser tattoo removal of the scalp micropigmentation even when it was performed with no mistakes or errors.

A Change in Your Personal Style: When You Decide It is Time for Change

Sometimes, people who have gotten scalp micropigmentation enjoy the results at first, but, over time, their sense of style changes. As people age, they may wish to have their hair more closely match the rest of their face. Or, in the case of a receding hairline, the patient may want to re-contour his or her hairline to match the changes using laser tattoo removal.

A common situation we see is scalp micropigmentation on males done in their youth when they had substantial hair coverage over the affected area. As time passes and the hair continues to thin, they find less and less coverage, until there is not much hair remaining. In a case like this, the man may come to us and inquire about removing only a part of the scalp micropigmentation. He may simply wish to use laser tattoo removal to contour the markings on his skin to match his actual hairline.

Of course, you may have other reasons for deciding it’s time for laser tattoo removal. Whatever the specific reason, some people with scalp micropigmentation eventually decide it is time for a change. Whether that means complete removal of the scalp micropigmentation, or simply adjusting the size and shape, the solution is the same: laser scalp tattoo removal.

What Does the Laser Scalp Micropigmentation Tattoo Removal Process Entail?

Many of our patients are curious as to how we can remove the “permanent” pigmentation from the skin without damaging their hair follicles. The laser scalp micropigmentation tattoo removal procedure is very similar to the removal of a tattoo from elsewhere on your body. The only difference is that it’s actually easier to correct the scalp pigmentation issues, as the ink used is placed at a shallower depth than tattoos on the body. This makes it easier to reach the ink and means removal is faster.

Removing a tattoo from your body can often take somewhere between 3 and 10 treatments, depending on a variety of factors. Two of the most significant factors are the ink density and ink depth. With scalp micropigmentation, the ink density is typically very low and the ink depth is shallow, closer to the surface – all this means that laser scalp micropigmenation removal happens in fewer (often half) as many sessions as it might take for an average laser tattoo removal.

When a patient comes to us for scalp tattoo removal, we use an advanced Nd YAG “q-switched” laser with a 1064 wavelength (for black ink) to target the pigment in the marking. The laser emits short pulses of light to target the ink pigment, causing the pigment molecules to break apart. Your body then processes the ink as though it were any other “foreign” substance through the lymphatic system. Although results do vary depending on the individual situation, the procedure is able to accomplish complete removal without having any adverse impact on the skin tissue surrounding the pigment being targeted.

Over the course of 4 to 6 weeks post-treatment, your body will be fading the ink away. After a minimum wait of 4 weeks, you’re able to come in for the subsequent treatment, until all the ink is removed and your head is restored to your natural look!

Whatever the reason, if you are not happy with your scalp micropigmentation procedure, we can help with our laser scalp tattoo removal process. With a brief free consultation at our offices, we can help discuss the process, quote a price and estimate the number of treatments. Most treatment sessions last just a few minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. We’re proud to help you achieve a better, more natural look for your hair.

Many patients wonder if the scalp micropigmentation process will be lengthy, expensive, or painful. Fortunately, after having read this article, we hope you understand that the answer to all those questions is, “no.” Pricing starts from $79 per treatment and depends on the size of the treatment area. You can schedule a free consultation from our website to visit our Munster, Indiana clinic to get specific answers to any remaining questions you may have.

What Are Your Other Options?

Depending on what you are interested in achieving, you may be wondering if you have other options besides scalp tattoo removal. Of course, the answer to this is that it depends. A number of factors can impact the choices before you, each with its own advantages and disadvantages (such as excess scarring). Your natural skin pigment, the depth at which the scalp micropigmentation ink was placed in your scalp, the amount of time that has passed, and many other factors come into play when evaluating your choices.

However, regardless of all of the above factors, the simple fact is this: laser scalp micropigmentation is safe, effective, fast, and much more affordable than some other treatment options. Further, it leaves no scarring. If you think you may be interested in this procedure, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We are more than happy to set up a time to meet with you, be it in person or over the phone. We can explain the process and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have.

For some patients who are particularly uneasy about the idea, afraid of scarring, or curious about the process, we can arrange for you to visit the office and take a look at the equipment we use. We might even be able to arrange for you to observe a tattoo removal procedure or offer a “test spot” treatment on you. Whatever it takes to increase your comfort level, we are happy to do.

Once you are comfortable with the idea of having laser scalp micropigmentation removal done, we can set up your first appointment. As long as you are a good candidate for treatment, you can even get the treatment done the same day as your free consultation if you choose to move forward.

So give us a call today, and let us help you achieve the new look that you are interested in. We are happy to help, and we look forward to working with you.