SMP for alopecia: what it can and can't do

Alopecia can take patches of hair, all the hair on your scalp, or the hair on your whole body. Scalp micropigmentation can give the look of a close-cut head of hair, but whether it's right for you depends on the type of alopecia and how settled it is.

Alopecia areata in brief

Alopecia areata is a common condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss without scarring. It can start at any age. Alopecia totalis means losing all the hair on the scalp, and alopecia universalis means losing the hair on the scalp, face and body.

NHS patient information says that for around 4 in 5 people, hair grows back fully within a year without treatment. The chances are much lower when more than half the hair is lost, and lower again with alopecia totalis or universalis. It isn't possible to predict how it will behave.

When SMP makes sense

• Alopecia totalis or universalis: full scalp SMP creates the look of a freshly shaved head, an alternative to wigs, hats or shaving every day.
• Long-standing patches: where patches haven't changed for a while, SMP can blend them into the hair around them.
• Thinning: density treatment adds the look of thickness under longer hair.

When to wait

Because alopecia areata can change, we usually suggest waiting until your hair loss has been stable for a while. If hair grows back over a treated area, the pigment sits underneath it and is usually hidden. If new patches appear somewhere else, they may need more SMP later. We'll talk this through honestly at your consultation.

What SMP can't do

SMP doesn't treat alopecia or change whether your hair grows back. Speak to your GP or a dermatologist about treatment options. For eyebrows, semi-permanent brows are a separate treatment.

Choosing a practitioner

Look for someone with specific SMP training, not just general tattoo experience. Ask what pigment they use, and ask to see healed results, ideally from clients with alopecia. Our guide to choosing an SMP artist has nine questions to ask.

Our support rate

Alopecia counts. If you've lost hair through alopecia or another medical condition, SMP at Blackline is 70% off. Read about hair loss support.

Sources: NHS patient information, alopecia areata · Alopecia UK, understanding scalp micropigmentation