SMP Treatment
Scar Camouflage SMP - from £350
Blends pigment into FUT/FUE hair-transplant scars and other scalp scarring to reduce their visibility within the surrounding hair.
Scar Camouflage SMP reduces the appearance of hair-transplant scars (FUT and FUE) and other scalp scarring by blending pigment naturally with the surrounding hair, tailored to your skin tone, hair style and scar type.
Typically 1-3 sessions, about 4 hours per session.
Who it suits
Scar camouflage SMP suits people carrying a visible scar on the scalp - most often a FUT (strip) scar or scattered FUE dot scars from a hair transplant, but also scars from surgery, stitches or an old injury. It works best when the scar sits within hair you keep fairly short, where the pale line or marks catch the light. If you have a brand-new or still-healing scar, it is usually worth waiting until it has fully settled first.
What the session is like
Scar tissue behaves differently from normal scalp - it can be smoother, paler, slightly raised or sunken, and it tends to hold pigment unevenly. Because of that, Stephen works carefully and often lighter to start, matching the dots to your skin tone and the surrounding hair, then building up over more than one pass. A small test patch may be done first to see how the scar takes the pigment, so the final blend is judged on how your skin actually responds rather than guesswork.
Your result
The aim is to reduce the contrast that makes a scar stand out, so it reads as part of the surrounding hair rather than a line your eye jumps to. Honestly, scars can be softened in appearance - not erased; the tissue is still there underneath. Results on scars vary more than on normal scalp, depending on the scar's depth, colour and texture, so some take pigment beautifully and others need extra work. Individual results vary, and we will always be straight with you about what is realistic.
Aftercare
Scar tissue tends to take and hold pigment less evenly than normal scalp, so careful aftercare really matters here. For the first few days keep the area dry and clean, and avoid heavy sweating, swimming, saunas, scrubbing and direct sun while it settles. Try not to pick at any flaking over the scar, as that can disturb how the pigment beds in. A scar may shed or hold colour unevenly at first, which is normal and refined at your next session. Full written aftercare is provided.
Common questions
Can SMP cover a FUT or FUE hair-transplant scar?
Yes - this is one of the most common reasons people come in. For a FUT strip scar, pigment is blended along and around the line to break up the contrast; for FUE, the small dot scars are softened so they sit less obviously in the surrounding hair. It reduces how much the scarring stands out rather than removing it, and works best with closely-cropped hair.
Will the pigment actually hold in scar tissue?
Often it does, but not always as predictably as on normal scalp. Scar tissue can be denser or smoother, so it sometimes takes pigment unevenly and may need more than one pass to even out. This is exactly why scar work is built up gradually, and why a small test area can be useful first. We would rather under-do it and add more than overload tissue that may not hold it well.
What about a raised, shiny or very pale scar?
These are honestly the trickier ones. A flat scar close to your skin tone blends most easily, while raised, shiny or very pale tissue can be harder to match and may show more limited improvement. We will look at your scar at consultation and tell you plainly whether camouflage is likely to help a lot, a little, or not be the right option - no overselling.
Does scalp micropigmentation hurt?
Most clients describe SMP as mild discomfort rather than pain - comparable to a light scratching sensation. Numbing options are discussed at consultation. Sessions last a few hours, and any redness usually settles within 24-48 hours.
How long does SMP last?
Scalp micropigmentation typically lasts around 3-7 years before it softens enough to want a touch-up. Longevity depends on skin type, sun exposure and aftercare. A short touch-up session refreshes the look when needed.
Is SMP permanent?
SMP is long-lasting but not strictly permanent. Pigment sits in the upper layers of the skin and fades gradually over years, which is why occasional touch-ups keep it looking sharp. This also means the look can evolve with you.