Your SMP Treatment and Sun Exposure

shiftframe • August 14, 2023

Scalp micropigmentation can change and improve your life by giving you your confidence back. Save your time and money by taking care of your scalp post-treatment. Excess sun exposure can damage your skin and cause your treatment area to fade faster. Here’s what you can do to ensure your SMP treatment lasts longer and you keep your skin happy and healthy.

What’s So Bad About the Sun?

While the sun is warm and comforting on a nice day, the sun produces Ultraviolet (UV) rays. Even though UV rays make up a small portion of the sun’s rays, they are the leading cause of skin damage from sun exposure. Many people love a good tan, but the darkening of our skin is actually the body’s way of protecting the skin from UV rays.

What Would Sun Exposure Do To My SMP Treatment?

Directly exposing your scalp to the sun’s harsh UV rays can accelerate the fading of your treatment. Your skin is also very sensitive post-treatment, so even if you’re not worried about fading (even though you should be), you should practice proper care to ensure your scalp heals well. You must avoid sunlight for at least three weeks after your scalp micropigmentation treatment.

Your treatment should last four to six years before it naturally starts to fade IF you take your aftercare seriously. If you don’t, you may require SMP touch-ups after a few years. Make sure you invest in quality sunscreen, moisturizer, and clothing to protect your scalp the first time to ensure the best results!

Here’s What We Recommend:

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen!

If you missed that, USE SUNSCREEN! Every time you leave the house, apply sunscreen. Ideally, you want to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30-50, which blocks 97-98% Ultraviolet rays. Your practitioner will give you suggestions on the best sunscreen for your aftercare, so be sure to ask them before you purchase a sunscreen or sunscreen-based moisturizer.

Stay Hydrated and Moisturize

Dried-out skin will cause your hairline to look blotchy and uneven, so drink plenty of water to keep your scalp hydrated. Cleaning the treatment area with gentle soap is excellent for removing dirt and germs. Still, it strips the natural oils secreted by your skin, so please moisturize the treatment area after every shower. It’s also best to moisturize your scalp before you go to bed, as you can wake up with a dried-out scalp which can cause irritation. Water-based skincare products are great for your scalp as they’re formulated with aloe water and hyaluronic acid that provides long-lasting hydration. Ask your SMP practitioner what moisturizers they recommend!

Wear a Suitable Hat

Wearing a good hat will add another layer of protection from the sun’s rays. For those that still have hair but had SMP treatment done, a hat might be your best bet as it can be challenging to put sunscreen in your hair. Wearing a hat shades the scalp from the sun, but you don’t want the material to be too thin, or the sun’s rays will shine through the hat.

SMP INK will ensure the best results!

Our qualified and experienced professionals here at SMP INK will be with you every step of the way. They will do everything they can to give you the best results and live a happy and confident life. If you’re interested in scalp micropigmentation treatment, don’t hesitate to book a FREE consultation at any of our three locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona!

By Marvin Furrow • September 26, 2026
Can Scalp Micropigmentation Fix a Bad Hair Transplant? A hair transplant can be life-changing when it goes well. But sometimes the final result still leaves visible scars, thin areas, or uneven density. Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) can help improve the appearance of many hair transplant concerns by adding realistic pigment impressions that blend with your existing hair and reduce the contrast between the scalp and surrounding follicles. SMP does not regrow hair or physically repair a transplant. Instead, it can make certain problem areas look fuller, more balanced, and less noticeable. SMP for Low-Density Hair Transplants One of the most common concerns after a hair transplant is that the result still looks thin. Even when transplanted hair grows successfully, there may not be enough density to fully hide the scalp, especially under bright lighting or around the crown. SMP can be placed between existing hairs to reduce visible scalp and create the appearance of greater density. This is often called density SMP and can work well alongside both natural and transplanted hair. Can SMP Hide FUE and FUT Scars? Hair transplant procedures can leave different types of scarring. FUE procedures may leave small dot-like scars throughout the donor area, while FUT procedures can leave a more noticeable linear scar across the back of the scalp. SMP can help camouflage both by blending pigment into the surrounding area and reducing the contrast between scar tissue and the scalp. The scar itself does not disappear, but it can become much less noticeable, particularly with shorter hairstyles. Improving Uneven Donor Areas Some people are left with patchy or overharvested donor areas after a hair transplant. When too much scalp becomes visible between the remaining hairs, SMP can help create a more consistent appearance throughout the area. By adding follicle-like impressions where density is lacking, SMP can make the donor area look more balanced without another surgical procedure. Can SMP Improve an Unnatural Hairline? In some cases, yes. If the hairline looks thin , inconsistent, or lacks density, SMP can help soften the transition and create a fuller appearance. However, SMP cannot reposition transplanted hairs or change the direction they grow. If the issue is related to the placement of the grafts themselves, surgical correction may still be needed. SMP and Hair Transplants Can Work Together A hair transplant and SMP do two different things. A hair transplant adds real, growing hair. SMP helps create the appearance of additional density underneath and around that hair. For some people, using both treatments can create a more complete result than either one alone. SMP may also be used specifically to improve donor scars or areas where the scalp still shows through after a transplant. When SMP May Be a Good Option SMP may be worth considering if your hair transplant has left you with: Visible FUE scars An FUT strip scar Thin or low-density areas Patchy donor areas Visible scalp between transplanted hairs An uneven overall appearance The scalp should be fully healed before SMP is performed, particularly following a recent transplant. Hair Transplant SMP in Scottsdale, Arizona Every hair transplant result is different. At SMP INK AZ , we use scalp micropigmentation to help blend visible scars, improve the appearance of thinning areas, and create a more consistent look across the scalp. If you're unhappy with the appearance of a previous hair transplant, schedule a consultation with SMP INK AZ in Scottsdale to find out whether SMP can help improve your result.
marrvin furrow smp ink az owner and Mr. Universe
By Marvin Furrow • June 21, 2026
Considering SMP in Scottsdale? See why scalp micropigmentation is a low maintenance option for thinning hair, shaved styles, and summer confidence.