As you may be aware of already, every client is quoted a minimum of two sessions. And by every client, we literally mean every single client who has have had SMP with HIS.
Why?
Simple. In the 12 years that we’ve been offering a scalp micropigmentation treatment, HIS has learned one basic truth: everyone’s skin and scalp is different. When creating and refining the technique, we discovered early on that people’s skin will take the pigment in different ways. By breaking up the treatment into two initial sessions, our practitioners are able to track the progress of the treatment, and see how the client’s skin and scalp are retaining the pigment.
This is provides us with a greater control over the procedure. The greater the control we have, the better the result. And few will argue with our results.
Other companies advertise that they can complete an entire treatment in a single session, which can be very appealing to clients short on time or who have to travel. But this one-size-fits-all approach to a permanent cosmetic procedure doesn’t always yield the best results. More often than not, the treatment
Your SMP needs to be tailored endeavor. Think of a buying suit: would you ever walk into the suit department, grab the first suit you see, throw down your Visa and walk out? No. Of course not. You try it on, you meet the tailor, you pick your cuff and your break, and have the sleeves adjusted. Maybe have the tailor address the shoulders, take it in around the midsection, etc. And this is all standard procedure for an off the rack suit. We’re not even talking Savile Row bespoke.
Why do we tell you all this? To let you know why you’re coming back for a second session.
So what happens in your second session?
One of the nice things about the second session is that all the paperwork is completed. No need to show up extra early to fill out any medical questionnaires or documents. Instead, all that’s been taken care, so you’ll be ready to go.
Just like the in the first session, set up will be the same. You’ll come in and your practitioner will cut the hair to prepare the scalp for the procedure. Your practitioner will conduct short assessment as well.
The second session is where the bulk of the work is completed. Your practitioner will check the progress of the treatment. One of the things they are going to be looking at is how well the pigment was retained. If the pigment faded between the first and second, the practitioner will adjust the pigment shade to compensate. If the pigment has held nicely, then the practitioner will continue on with the right shade.
If your second session could be summed up in a single word, that word would be “density.” A major part of your second session is dedicated to building on the foundation laid in your first session and building up the density of your treatment. This is where your treatment will really come together.
As mentioned in the previous article, as the pigment settles and the skin heals the original pigment deposits placed in the first session will shrink, thus causing some space to open up. Naturally, this space will be addressed in your second session. A major focus of the second session is going to be filling in these gaps created by the pigment shrinking and settling into the skin. The practitioner will make sure that not only is the space is filled in, but that the density is even and blended all throughout the scalp.
One of the important things to note here is your second session is the time for you to express any slight alterations you want to make to your SMP. If you want to lower the hairline a little or go a few shades darker, now is the time to mention it to your practitioner and talk it over.
As the practitioner continues to work throughout the the treated area, you will see the total treatment take shape. Working at filling in the sparse areas, your practitioner will not only continue with adding density, but blending as well. Your practitioner will smooth out the transition from the SMP applied areas of the scalp to the existing hair. The blending is important for two major reasons: it ensures an even, natural look throughout the scalp and compensates for any future hair loss.
More often than not, a third session will be required (depending on the treatment plan quote). However, the third session won’t need to be scheduled until three to four weeks after your second session. Why so much time? We want to give the skin more time to heal and for the pigment to settle fully before putting the finishing touches on your SMP treatment.
Just like after your first session, we recommend that you don’t wash the scalp or cut the hair for the the first four days after the session. Also, we recommend clients refrain from swimming any strenuous activity that would cause excessive sweating. For additional aftercare info, your practitioner will go over all the extra aftercare guidelines.
Please note, that if you are quoted for a third session, but haven’t booked it yet, a booking deposit will be required for the third session.
If you missed the other articles in our “What to Expect…” series, click here.
