We all understand the dangers posed by too much sun exposure, and we should all be using some kind of sun protection as a matter of routine. Many cosmetics companies now acknowledge this, and are expanding their use of SPF ingredients in their everyday products.
If you’ve had a scalp micropigmentation treatment and want to protect your new look, it is important to protect your head against harmful ultraviolet rays from strong sunshine.
Why is this important?
Over-exposure on a regular basis can fade your treatment, therefore the use of an SPF-containing product is an important part of your maintenance regimen.
Ever wondered why art galleries don’t have windows? It’s because they don’t want to allow sun to enter the rooms and shine directly on paintings, so that they won’t fade over time. Ultraviolet rays cause fading, be it the paint on your car or the fabric on your couch, and your pigmentation is affected in the same way.
Suitable clothing can offer great protection. Of course if you wear a hat, then you will benefit from a virtual sunblock, but if the material of the hat is thin, you shouldn’t rely on it too much.
You should also consider moisturizing your head in order for your skin to remain healthy. Your skin should receive the proper care it needs so that your scalp treatment will continue looking fresh for a longer duration. You should also hydrate your skin to keep it elastic by drinking plenty of water.
When is this important?
The vast majority of people don’t want to use a sunscreen daily. Sun protection creams and sprays are usually oily and can cause the scalp to shine, they can sometimes feel heavy on the skin and are generally best used when there is a specific need for the product.
You should use sun protection whenever it would have been advisable to do so, prior to your SMP treatment. So, if the sun is strong enough to warrant using SPF anyway, this is the time to dig out your preferred cream and use it on your scalp. Depending on where you live, this may be an occasional thing when you’re away on holiday, or it may be every day.
What products should you use?
Sunscreens have come a long way in recent years, and a wide range of products are now available to suit all requirements and budgets.
One important consideration is anti-shine. Most of us want to avoid shine wherever possible, however SPF products create shine as a matter of course. However, for people willing to spend a little more, a range of matte anti-shine products are now available, and most are pretty good.
My favorite product is Murad Oil Free Sunscreen, but it is undeniably expensive, as is Dermalogica Oil Free Matte Sunscreen. Great (and much cheaper) alternatives are Obagi Medical Sun Shield and Lotus Herbals Safe Sun.
What happens if you don’t protect your skin?
Quite simply, your treatment will fade faster and you will have to visit your scalp technician more often for top-ups, if you don’t follow generally accepted aftercare guidelines.
This really isn’t an end-of-the-world scenario. Of course there are numerous health benefits associated with proper sun protection, but these are beyond the scope of this article. From a scalp micropigmentation point of view, it is important not to obsess about your treatment, but to take sensible steps to protect your scalp as and when required.
