How long does scalp micropigmentation last?

As I write this, I’m actually away from the office on account of having a sick wife and daughter. Nothing serious, just the usual bugs flying around I guess. I do however, have to keep this one brief or I’ll be in trouble.

With a burning and urgent need to unplug from the Disney Channel for just a few moments, I stole away to share some recent thoughts I had on the longevity of scalp micropigmentation, the length of time a client can expect to keep their look until excessive fading takes hold.

I met with someone on Tuesday who I haven’t seen in quite a few years. Five actually, if memory serves me correctly. For various reasons I need to leave his name out of it, but let’s just say he’s a highly experienced scalp micropigmentation technician, and a very talented one at that.

It struck me how well his treatment has held up. I didn’t ask, but I believe his procedure was done in 2010 and he’s had one touch-up since. I’m not entirely sure, but I know I’m not far off with my estimations. Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that his treatment looked great, almost as if he had his last session just a few months ago. What I find more remarkable is the fact that he has an ultra-natural broken hairline, which is usually the first area to start fading, closely followed by the crown. In neither area was any sign of fading evident.

Who is most likely to experience fading?

This question is covered more comprehensively in this post, however the main takeaway is this – EVERYONE experiences fading at one rate or another. There is no way to avoid it entirely, and there is also no way to say for sure who is most likely to experience excessive fading.

What are the guidelines?

Proper maintenance of your scalp micropigmentation treatment is essential to maximize the longevity of your look, but it’s not something you should obsess over. Trading one anxiety for another is something I talk about a lot, simply because this process is intended to give you closure. The bliss of not having to worry about your hair will never materialize if you’re constantly stressing about your look.

Keeping it real simple:

• Moisturize your scalp daily
• Take reasonable precautions in the sun
• Avoid topical products containing alcohol, such as minoxidil lotion

How long will your treatment last?

Not an easy question to answer. In theory the pigments will remain visible for 20+ years, however you will almost certainly experience dramatic fading over that period of time, meaning you will need a few refresher sessions spaced out every 3-5 years or so.

If you want to know how long your treatment will look good without the need for a visit to the clinic, most clients will want to sprinkle through some fresh pigment every 3-5 years. Mine, for example, was done 3 years ago and it’s about ready for a top-up.

By the way, the guy above is not the guy I met. That’s John Rosini who just set up a clinic in Buffalo, NY. I just used his photo for this post because I really like his look.