We have sorted out the most frequently asked questions about SMP from customers, hoping to help everyone understand more about SMP🖋️
Q1: What is SMP?
The full name of SMP is called Scalp Micro-pigmentation, is a technique that uses micro-needles to apply ink to the surface of the scalp, creating highly realistic hair follicles. This can visually improve different hair problems and give the appearance of thicker hair.
SMP effect is immediately significant, there is no recovery period and it can be maintained permanently.
You can refer to the different cases on our website.
Q2: Is SMP similar to tattoo or eyebrow microblading?
The ink used in SMP, the depth of the microneedles contacting the scalp, and the techniques are completely different from those used in tattooing or eyebrow microblading.
Taking tattoos as an example, discoloration may occur due to the microneedle staying deeply in the customer’s skin for too long during the process.
Also, be especially careful when the eyebrow microblading technique is applied to the scalp, as there is a chance that the ink will blur and leave red or blue traces.
The ink used in our shop is all specifically for SMP.
Q3: Does SMP look real?
Because the SMP process uses micro-needles to apply ink point by point on the surface of the scalp, creating extremely realistic hair follicles, the size of the micro-dots is almost the same as that of real hair follicles. When actually pay attention to the SMP effect, you won’t notice the difference.
Steve, a Korean SMP master, has also undergone SMP treatments. You can pay attention to the SMP effect of the Korean SMP master during consultation.
(Please be aware of SMP shops that only provide pictures but no videos.)
Q4: How much does SMP charge? How many treatments are needed and how long does it take?
It depends on the degree of hair loss or baldness of the customer, the area of the scalp to be covered, and the presence of scars.
Each treatment should be carried out at least once a week but is also possible to more than a week.
The following charges are for reference only and may vary depending on actual circumstances.
Cost may be increased without prior notice.
Q5: Why provide 1 year warranty?
SMP micro-needle will first needle into the stratum corneum and epidermis layer, and then inject ink into the upper layer of the epidermis.
After each treatment, the skin will noticeably experience what is commonly referred to as “shedding”, where the pigment will fall off along with the stratum corneum and epidermis. The effect will be different between the treatment and one week later, so the Korean SMP masters need to achieve the best effect according to the ink condition.
Because the stratum corneum and epidermis will fall off at a fixed period, ink may eventually appear “shedding” after 6 months to 1 year. Therefore, it is necessary to perform 1-2 simple color touch-ups in order for the effect to be permanently maintained better.
So, our shop provides a one-year warranty and unlimited free touch-ups.
Q6: Other SMP shops in Hong Kong have said that the SMP effect will last for 1-3 years?
SMP which originally started in the UK with the aim of being permanent, is said by the top 5 large SMP companies in Korea to have a permanent effect.
Other SMP shops in Hong Kong seem to use eyebrow microblading technology for the scalp. Many customers have received SMP repair treatments in our shop because their ink has faded within only half a year after finishing their SMP treatments at these shops. (Restorative treatments are expensive, may reduce the sense of nature, and sometimes require a laser removal of ink.)
As mentioned above, it is dangerous to apply eyebrow microblading technology to the scalp, In addition, there is no pigment that will disappear naturally after 1-3 years. The pigment will only fade and leave a residue.
Q7: What ink and SMP equipment are used? Is it clean and hygienic?
🔹Our shop uses special ink for permanent SMP (certified by Korea).
🔹The tools used, including microneedles, are disposable and will never be reused (5-8 microneedles will be replaced during the treatment).
🔹All treatment equipment, including beauty beds, will be disinfected and cleaned immediately after use.
👇🏻Click on the image to read the certification details of our inks.
Q8: What is the difference between Dotink and other SMP shops? What is a 5D pattern?
🔹The treatments are conducted by Korean SMP masters with rich experience.
🔹Our SMP process is completely different from other SMP shops: 5D pattern, gradient effect, hairline design, ink matching, and micro-needle operation skills.
The 5D pattern can deepen the overall tone and three-dimensionality while retaining a certain proportion of scalp skin color. The gradient levels at the forehead hairline or the ends of the hair sides are more realistic and the effect is remarkable and natural.
It is different from other SMP shops that simply densely puncture micro-dots into the scalp.
👇🏻Click on the image to read more about “SMP Information – What is special about DOTINK technology”.
Q9: Finished in dark colour tones looks beautiful, Does it only if looks natural when done in light colour tones?
The natural feeling depends on how much scalp color is retained during the treatment. Simply dotting ink densely into the superficial layer of scalp is not SMP.
Instead to adjust the depth of the microneedle after judging each situation, then add layering to the upper layer of dermis while adjusting tension to create a 3D feeling.
The procedure that can deepen the tone without losing the natural look even if the color of the scalp is retained, is Dotink’s unique 5D pattern technology.
Q10: What is NPM and Scalp Painting?
SMP is where the operator inject ink point by point at the required position based on the condition of the customer’s hair roots to create highly realistic hair follicles and a 3D effect, which is to strive for artistic sense and technique.
NPM and Scalp Painting use a microneedle roller or a fully automatic microneedle machine to apply pigment to the scalp at will. Coloring in unnecessary places will cause the scalp to become black without any layers, the overall tone is uneven and affects the appearance.
Many customers come to our shop for restorative treatments because of unsatisfactory results from the above-mentioned techniques. Korean SMP master will also provide the above examples for customers’ reference during consultation.
Q11: Is hair transplantation/SMP better?
If there are both SMP and hair transplants, they will have a synergistic effect, that is the effect of “one plus one is greater than two”. There is no particular order in which the two are carried out. However, you can receive hair transplant surgery directly after the SMP treatment is completed, while you can only receive SMP treatment at least 6 months after the hair transplant surgery.
However, you can receive hair transplant surgery directly after the SMP treatment is completed, while you can only receive SMP treatment at least 6 months after the hair transplant surgery.
After hair transplantation on the forehead, scalp conditions will still be seen due to insufficient hair density and the hair growth density will probably reach 60% of that of average people. In this case, the effect will be better by filling the density with SMP. However, the effect of hair transplantation on the top of the head is not great, so it is recommended to improve the top of the head through SMP.
If you get a hair transplant after SMP, the hair transplant fee will be lower because the hair density has improved greatly, and you don’t need to take too many hair follicles or even have hair transplant surgery. Therefore, it is recommended to receive SMP tattoos first to solve hair problems.
When consulting, you can pay attention Korean SMP master Steve, because Korean SMP master has performed hair transplant surgery on the forehead and received SMP treatment on the whole head.
Q12: Will if feel pain or appear sensitivity issues?
Through the operation of fine needle, there will be some pain, numbness and itching which depends on the individual. Most customers including women, can accept it. Customers usually use their mobile phones or take a nap to complete their SMP treatment.
In addition, the needles used in SMP only touches the surface of the scalp to inject ink, so there is no bleeding and it is not to cause sensitivity issues.
So far, no customer has given up on SMP treatment due to pain.
Q13: Are they all Korean SMP masters?Do Korean SMP masters design hairlines for customers?
Yes, they are all top-notch SMP masters in Korea. They are responsible for different professional fields. The hairline design also be personally handled by the Korean SMP masters who has designed hairlines for nearly a thousand people.
Korean SMP masters will suggest the most suitable hairline design for the customer based on the head shape, forehead angle, face shape and mandible.
The treatment will only officially begin when the customer is satisfied with the hairline design. Each time, the Korean SMP master will have a thorough discussion with the customer and carefully complete the SMP treatment.
*Occasionally, some people participate in a one-day course in Korea and upload pictures provided by the academy for promotion on social media platforms, even pretending to be Koreans. Hope everyone will be more careful.*
Q14: How to communicate with Korean SMP masters?
We have 2 Hong Kong staff who are proficient in Chinese, English and Korean, so customers don’t have to worry.
Q15: What is the reservation process and payment method?
After the customer contacts us to find out the approximate price of the treatment, if the customer wants to make an appointment for a free consultation, the customer can inquire with us about the date and time that the consultation can be arranged, and leave simple personal information. (English name and contact number)
Payment methods include: cash, FPS, and credit card. Credit card payments are subject to a small handling fee.
If the treatment appointment time is confirmed on the consultation day, we will charge a 10% deposit first. There is no refund after the deposit is paid. The remaining balance needs to be paid on the day of the first treatment.
Q16: If I am not satisfied with the results after a treatment at other shops, can I have a repair treatment?
As long as the ink colour are not too dark, repair treatments can be performed.
However, if there is ink spreading, the ink colur is too dark, or eyebrow pigment is used for SMP, it may be necessary to use laser treatment to lighten the ink. After approximately 1-3 sessions of laser treatment, a repair treatment can then be carried out.
Q17: Suppose a touch-ups is required in the future?
Each client’s metabolic rate and personal management can vary, there may be a chance that ink change bit lighter or an expansion of hair loss issues only then need to do touch-ups.
Only 1-2 simple touch-ups treatments are needed, and the cost of touch-ups is one third of the current SMP treatment.
Customers who have had touch-ups within the one-year warranty period usually do not need to have it done again in the future.
📥If you have any further queries about SMP, you can contact us directly by clicking “WhatsApp” in the lower right corner.
📱If you want to know the daily SMP process, the latest posts and more cases in real-time, you can follow our shop account by clicking “Instagram” in the lower right corner.
