SMP Treatment
Density SMP Treatment - from £600
Adds thousands of tiny pigment impressions between existing hairs to reduce scalp contrast and create the appearance of fuller, thicker hair.
Density SMP is a non-surgical treatment that adds thousands of tiny pigment impressions between your existing hairs, reducing the contrast between hair and scalp so thinning areas look fuller and thicker.
Density SMP is one form of scalp micropigmentation - see the complete guide to how it works, or browse real scalp micropigmentation before and after results.
Typically 2-3 sessions, about 4 hours per session.
Who is this treatment for?
Density SMP suits people who still have hair on top but are seeing more scalp than they used to - thinning over the crown or front, often most obvious in bright light or photos from above. It is for those who want to keep their own hair at its current length and are not ready to shave down. If your hair is diffuse rather than fully bald in patches, there is usually enough to blend pigment in among. Individual suitability is confirmed in person.
What happens during the session?
Stephen works in among the hair you already have, placing thousands of tiny pigment impressions on the scalp in the gaps between strands. The aim is to fill the visible skin showing through, not to touch your hair, so nothing is cut or shaved. He builds the depth gradually and checks the blend against your own colour as he goes. Sessions run a few hours; most people find it calm and easy to sit through.
What results can you expect?
The visible scalp underneath your hair is softened, so there is far less contrast between skin and strands and the top looks fuller and more even - especially under the lighting that used to give the thinning away. Crucially, you keep your own hair and its length; the pigment sits beneath it as a backdrop. It recreates the appearance of density rather than adding real hair, and individual results vary with your hair, skin and how much thinning you have.
What is the aftercare?
For the first few days keep the scalp dry and avoid heavy sweating, the gym, swimming, saunas and direct sun, so the fresh impressions settle cleanly between your hairs. Wash your hair gently and only as advised, and skip strong styling products on the treated area early on. Once healed, light moisturising and daily SPF on any exposed scalp help the colour stay even. Full written aftercare is provided at your appointment.
Common questions
Do I need to shave my head for density SMP?
No. Density SMP is designed specifically for people who want to keep their hair, so there is no need to shave or cut it at any point before, during or after treatment. Stephen places the pigment on the scalp in the gaps between your existing hairs, working underneath the length you already have rather than around a clipper guide. Because the pigment sits beneath your hair rather than replacing it, you carry on wearing your hair exactly as you do now, whether that's short, long, or somewhere in between, and your usual cut and styling routine continues unchanged. It's this that makes density SMP a genuinely different treatment from full SMP, which is built around a shaved-head look rather than your existing style.
How much hair do I need for it to work?
Enough that the pigment has hair to blend in among, rather than standing alone with nothing around it to soften the effect. Density SMP works best on diffuse thinning, where strands still cover the area but the scalp shows through, especially under bright light or in photos taken from above; it adds a backdrop that reduces that show-through without needing to touch the hair itself. Where hair is very sparse, or an area has gone fully bald in patches, a different approach, such as full SMP for that section, may suit better and give a more even result. Stephen will look at your scalp in person and tell you honestly what is realistic for your pattern of thinning at your free consultation.
Will it still work if my hair keeps thinning?
The pigment stays exactly in the areas it was placed, rather than moving about, so it carries on softening the contrast on the scalp as the hair around it naturally changes over time. Like all SMP, it isn't permanent: the colour fades gradually over several years and can be refreshed with a straightforward top-up session when it does. If your hair thins a lot more over time, more of the backdrop pigment becomes visible, so you may want a review or a further session to extend the work and keep the blend looking even across the newly-thinning area. It does not stop, slow or treat hair loss in any way; it simply works alongside whatever your own hair does, and we will always be upfront about that at your consultation and at any later review.
Does scalp micropigmentation hurt?
Most clients describe SMP as mild discomfort rather than pain, comparable to a light scratching sensation. Everyone feels it slightly differently, and how sensitive you are can vary across the scalp, with the hairline and areas over bone often a little more noticeable than the softer areas further back. Numbing options are discussed at your consultation, so you can decide what suits you before we begin. Sessions typically last a few hours, with short breaks whenever you need them, and the work is built up gradually rather than rushed. Any redness usually settles within 24 to 48 hours, and most people are comfortable returning to normal activities the same day. If you have a low pain threshold or any concerns at all, raise them at the consultation and we will plan around you. Individual experiences vary, and we will never pretend a treatment is completely sensation-free.