Your safety is our priority.

What we do to keep you safe

• Single-use, pre-sterilized needles — opened in front of you before every session and disposed of immediately after in a medical-grade sharps container
• Professional SMP-grade pigments from reputable manufacturers with full ingredient transparency — not standard tattoo ink, which can cause unnatural color shifts on the scalp
• All work surfaces, treatment chairs, and equipment are disinfected with medical-grade disinfectants before and after every client
• Disposable barrier film applied to all equipment the artist touches during the procedure
• Pigment is poured into single-use disposable cups for each client — no shared containers
• Fresh disposable gloves worn throughout every session and changed any time a non-sterile surface is contacted
• Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) certified practitioner — covering hepatitis, HIV, and cross-contamination prevention protocols
• Clean, private studio environment designed for client comfort and safety

Pre-procedure instructions

One week before

• Begin moisturizing your scalp 3–4 times daily to ensure the skin is hydrated for optimal pigment absorption
• Switch to a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo
• Gently exfoliate the scalp to remove dead skin
• Stop fish oil supplements (natural blood thinner)
• Avoid direct sun exposure — do not get sunburned
• If you use hair dye, stop at least 3 weeks before your first appointment

48 hours before

• No alcohol or recreational drugs
• Gently exfoliate the scalp a second time

Day of your appointment

• Shave with clippers at a #0 setting (do not use a razor blade within 24 hours — the artist needs to see natural hair to blend properly)
• Eat a full meal before a long session
• Arrive with a clean scalp — no products or oils
• Bring reference photos for your desired hairline shape

Important note on medications

Never stop any prescription medication (including blood thinners like Warfarin or aspirin) without consulting your prescribing physician first. Let us know about all medications during your consultation so we can plan accordingly.

Post-procedure aftercare

Days 1–4 (most critical)

• Do not wash your scalp for the first 48 hours
• Do not touch, scratch, or pick at the treated area
• Avoid anything that causes sweating — no gym, cardio, saunas, steam rooms, or hot yoga
• Do not wear tight hats for at least 48 hours — skin needs to breathe
• Do not apply any products to the scalp
• Change your pillowcase daily during this period

Days 4–10

• After 48 hours, begin washing gently with a mild sulfate-free shampoo daily
• After 72 hours, light exercise is acceptable — limit heavy cardio and sweating
• The skin will begin to peel and exfoliate — this is normal. Do not pick at scabs
• Pigment will appear darker than the final result during this phase — it will lighten as healing progresses

Days 10–30

• Shaving with an electric razor is safe after day 10 — wait 30 days before using a blade razor
• No swimming (pools, ocean, or lakes) for 30 days — chlorine and salt water affect pigment
• No saunas for 30 days
• Limit direct, intense sun exposure for 28 days
• Wait 4 weeks before dyeing hair
• Avoid AHA-based skincare products — they accelerate pigment breakdown

Long-term maintenance

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to the scalp daily — UV exposure is the #1 cause of SMP pigment fading
• No tanning beds — they fade SMP significantly
• Keep the scalp moisturized regularly
• A touch-up is recommended every 3–5 years to maintain crisp, natural-looking results

When to seek medical attention

Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience excessive redness or swelling that spreads beyond the treatment area, pus drainage, fever, or blistering and intense itching.

Contraindications and health conditions

Please inform us of any medical conditions during your consultation. A physician's written clearance may be required before we can proceed with treatment. The following conditions may affect your eligibility for SMP:

• Keloid scar tendency — micropigmentation can trigger keloid formation
• Active skin infections, rashes, or herpetic outbreaks
• Active psoriasis, eczema, or dermatitis in the treatment area
• Chemotherapy or radiation treatment currently in progress
• Blood clotting disorders or anticoagulant medications (Warfarin, Coumadin, etc.)
• Accutane (isotretinoin) use within the past 12 months
• Pregnancy or lactation (and 3 months post-pregnancy)
• Diabetes — requires physician clearance due to slower healing and elevated infection risk
• Known allergy to tattoo pigments, dyes, lidocaine, or tetracaine
• Melanomas, skin cancer, or undiagnosed lesions in the treatment area
• Hemophilia or other blood clotting disorders
• Warts, moles, or impetigo in the treatment area

If you are unsure whether a condition applies to you, ask during your free consultation. We can also arrange a patch test for clients with known pigment sensitivities or highly reactive skin.