r/SMPchat

A few weeks ago I had the idea to research any alternatives to Toppik, but something more permanent. I saw SMP being recommended and for someone like myself who likes to wear my hair a bit longer and definitely not buzzed, I thought maybe SMP might be a good choice as a semi-permanent Toppik.

After reading tons, I found this subreddit and it seems like the general consensus is that it NEVER works for people who want density and the ONLY good results are for people who shave down.

Is that correct?

I have some diffuse thinning and a hairline I very much do not like, so I'm considering SMP but I'm not sure if it's the right solution in my case since I have a lot more hair left than a typical candidate, but not enough to look good at any length.

My goal would be to even out the density across the top of my head and make it look less mangy as well as balance out my hairline. I don't mind keeping my hair shaved, but I'm not quite sure I'm ready to commit to daily as that seems like it'd quickly become something of an obligation.

I had a small transplant a year ago but it was done badly and didn't help, if anything it further unbalanced my hairline. I'm considering a 2nd procedure, but I'm very hesitant to further cut up my scalp any more and have skepticism that it'd produce what I would consider an acceptable result, even if done well. I really just want a permanent solution that I'm happy enough with that I can move on with my day.

Some questions for practioners:

1. is no guard close enough? or would I need to foil shave? Even with clippers set as close as possible it kind of seems like SMP would stand out? Especially if the hairline were lowered on my right side. I'm not looking for a density treatment to wear it longer, but it would be nice to get away with a few days or maybe even a week of natural growth without it looking obvious and weird.
2. Is SMP a realistic solution to balance out my hairline? The right side is receded further than my left quite a bit and I don't like how it balances out at all. SMP seems to produce some really nice hairlines, IMO better than nature or transplants. If you (as a provider) were presented with this case how would you suggest handling the hairline? (I'm 48 and would want something age appropriate with a natural feathered hairline. If I had my preference I might even bring the left side UP instead of the right side down... maybe the SMP could design that hairline and I could look into options for strategically removing hairs that were lower than the SMP on my left side?)
3. Is blending into this much biological hair a challenge? Anything unique I need to seek out in a provider?
4. Does having this much hair complicate touchups?
5. it's been 11 months since the transplant and the recipient area follicles are still a little bit inflamed, I've spoken about this with the clinic and a dermatologist and am trying to get this under control with treatments, but since SMP providers see a lot of transplants I'm wondering if anyone has seen this in patients, particularly if they managed to resolve it.

I've included pictures of it shaved to a zero guard as well as grown out a bit so you can more easily see the thinning I'm trying to address. The shaved picture hides that a bit but in person it's a bit more apparent.

https://preview.redd.it/p3up00blmlkh1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1707b0164ed8dcd8fc9f5c039c11de9f655850bf

https://preview.redd.it/n4qhl0blmlkh1.jpg?width=452&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fae69f52a7b03d64ea7c5c70aeba702780cd2fa

https://preview.redd.it/8sdbgjwlmlkh1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35bbf7da52c279a1c63d6e756ddae07a2fa86a08

I've been looking into different options for a receding hairline and keep coming across scalp micropigmentation (SMP).

I'm not really interested in pretending I have a full head of hair, but I do like the idea of having a more defined, natural-looking hairline and making the thinning areas less noticeable. My main concern is whether SMP actually looks natural in person or if it ends up looking like an obvious hair tattoo.

I've also been comparing SMP with a hair transplant, and honestly I'm still not sure which makes more sense for someone whose main issue is a receding hairline rather than completely losing their hair.

I came across Scalp Evolution while researching SMP and their results looked pretty natural, but I'd rather hear from people who have actually had scalp micropigmentation.

For anyone who's had SMP, was it worth it for your receding hairline? And how does it look after a year or two?

i have an oily scalp and dry ends. im currently using a dove shampoo and conditioner but now when im in the shower my scalp feels dry asf and when i come out of the shower its all just tangled and when i brush, it makes that rough noise (if that makes sense) and now my hair isnt oily but is now too dry?😭😭 idk how to explain it.

are there any brands yall would recommend?? asian brand? western?

I'm 39, massively lost confidence due to hair loss (I'm around a Norwood 5A). I quite like a shaved head (not completely bald/skin), but not a fan of the different densities (e.g. the dark/thicker hair on the sides/back, but thinner/lighter on top). Right now if I shave my head with a number 1 grade or closer it looks like the classic horseshoe.

I've considered SMP in the past, but it seems a big gamble (like many I've seen some that look great in photos, and others that look terrible), and in "real life" most of the time I can tell if someone has had it done - which isn't what I want.

I'm now considering a blend of FUE hair transplant (mainly to establish some front density/hairline) with the intention of keeping it buzzed/shaved, and then topping it up/filling in with SMP.

Is this pretty common? Anyone had this sort of thing done instead of just pure SMP? Particularly interested in hearing/seeing those with substantial hair loss to begin with.

Apologies if this is very common, only just looking into it more recently.

Thanks