SMP Treatment
Full SMP Treatment - from £1000
A complete scalp micropigmentation treatment that recreates a natural hairline and even density across the scalp.
Our Full SMP treatment uses the latest scalp micropigmentation techniques to restore the look of a full head of closely-shaved hair - a defined, natural hairline and even density. Each treatment is tailored to your skin tone, features and the look you want.
Full 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?
Full SMP suits men with more advanced hair loss - a receding crown, a bald top, or a head that's largely cleared - who like, or are ready for, a closely-cropped style. If you already shave down, or you're tired of working around what's left, this gives the whole scalp an even, intentional look rather than a patchy one. It isn't about regrowing hair; it's about the confident appearance of a sharp, shaved head. Women's thinning is usually better served by our female density treatment.
What happens during the session?
We start by designing your hairline together - drawn on, adjusted and agreed before any pigment goes in, so it frames your face the way you want. From there, density is built across the whole scalp in layers over two to three sessions, a few weeks apart. It's staged on purpose: it lets the first layer settle, lets us deepen the shade and refine the shape, and keeps the finish soft and believable rather than flat or too dark, too soon.
What results can you expect?
Once your sessions are complete, the aim is a soft, defined hairline and an even covering of tiny pigment impressions across the scalp - the look of closely-cropped hair, a natural "five-o'clock shadow" rather than bare skin. It blends with any hair you keep shaved down and reduces the contrast between scalp and stubble. It recreates the appearance of density, not real hair, and every scalp settles differently, so individual results vary. You'll see the kind of work we do on our results page.
What is the aftercare?
Because the whole head is treated, the whole head needs care. For the first few days keep the entire scalp dry and don't wash it, and avoid anything that makes you sweat - gym, hot showers, saunas - along with swimming and direct sun, all of which can disturb settling pigment. No shaving until the scalp has healed. Once it has, moisturise lightly and use SPF on the bare scalp whenever you're out, as sun is what fades the look fastest. Full written aftercare is provided.
Common questions
Do I have to shave my head for full SMP?
To get the genuine shaved-head look, yes - the treatment recreates the appearance of closely-cropped stubble across the whole scalp, so it's designed to be worn buzzed or shaved down rather than grown out. The illusion depends on an even, short length: if your own hair grows past a very short length, it starts to sit above the pigment rather than blending with it, and the effect softens. You don't need to be fully shaved at the consultation; Stephen will look at what you have and plan the right clipper length with you before any work begins. Afterwards, keeping to that same length with a home clipper is what maintains the look day to day, and it becomes a quick, low-maintenance routine rather than a daily styling job. If keeping longer hair matters to you, a density treatment may suit you better, and we'll say so honestly.
Will it look obvious or fake?
Done well, it shouldn't. The pigment is applied as thousands of tiny impressions, each matched to your skin tone and natural follicle size, and the shade is built up gradually across two to three sessions rather than in one heavy pass - that gradual build is exactly what keeps the finish soft rather than flat or overly dark. The hairline is also mapped to suit your own face and features rather than drawn as a hard, uniform line, which is what makes it read as believable rather than obviously artificial. From normal viewing distance and in everyday lighting, it reads as short, evenly-shaved hair. It's a cosmetic effect rather than real hair, so up very close, in strong direct light, it is what it is, and we won't pretend otherwise. The goal is always a soft, believable finish, and you can see real examples of the work in our before and after gallery.
What if I'm only partly bald now but my hair loss is still progressing?
That's common, and worth talking through properly at your consultation rather than guessing. We can treat the whole scalp now for a uniform look that accounts for further loss, or focus only on the areas that need it today and blend with what you keep - which suits you depends on how your hair loss looks and how you expect it to progress. SMP doesn't affect your own hair or how it grows, so it sits alongside any further changes rather than working against them, and if your remaining hair thins later, the existing work can usually be extended or topped up to match. How a scalp changes over time differs a lot from person to person, so individual results vary, and that's something Stephen will keep discussing honestly with you at any future review or touch-up.
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.