Every scalp reacts differently after scalp micropigmentation. A few clients do report a flaky scalp in the days that follow a treatment session, so here we examine why this might be, and what can be done to combat it.
Please note this post was prompted by this discussion in our forum.
During an average SMP session, a couple of thousand micro-punctures are created by the needle, within which pigment is deposited. The natural reaction of the body is to heal these punctures, however with so many puntures to heal at once, it is common for the body to react in a slightly different way from one client to the next.
The most common reactions are redness, bruising, and an itchy and flaky scalp. Some clients experience all of these, although most will experience nothing more than temporary redness of the treated area. Redness is caused by the blood rushing to the scalp to heal the area. Bruising also occurs from time to time, but why the flaky scalp?
Each puncture is covered by a small scab shortly after treatment as part of the normal healing process. The presence of thousands of tiny hard scabs can cause some irritation. The flaky feeling is usually caused by those scabs coming away gradually over the days following a session, however the skin can also become very dry in some cases which can exasperate any pre-existing dry skin problem. This is temporary and rarely lasts more than a few days, however there are some suggested remedies for this.
Cleansing the scalp
Part of the problem is the fact that SMP recipients cannot wash their heads for 4 days following each session. This in itself can cause irritation if the person usually washes their head daily, and then cannot. A gentle cleanser is therefore recommended after 4 days. Harsh exfoliants should be avoided.
Moisturising the scalp
There is a myriad of moisturisers available for the purpose, however we simply recommend a light non-greasy moisturiser of your choice. Olive oil can also be used if you prefer, as can a mild aftersun lotion.
Other remedies
Many clients report that the use of Nizoral shampoo can help. Nizoral contains Ketaconazole and has been used for many years to cure a dry scalp, and for severe dandruff cases. As far as we are aware, there is no harm in using this product to help calm your scalp down after a scalp micropigmentation treatment.
If you are experiencing this problem and would like to discuss it with our team, please contact us. Alternatively the following resources may be helpful:
