Scalp micropigmentation is at least a 2-3 session process, sometimes more. The ‘panic phase’ following the first session is extremely common and well documented. The initial thoughts of ‘Oh my God what have I done…’ are perfectly understandable, as it can take time to adjust to your new appearance.
In the days following each session, a lot is happening to your scalp. The most noticeable process is the fading of pigment, and this is perhaps the most common source of anxiety, so let’s clear this up.
Is it normal?
Yes, absolutely. Fading pigment ‘dots’ after a scalp micropigmentation session is a normal and expected part of the process. What is actually happening is a combination of two processes – healing and exfoliation.
As the scalp heals, thousands of tiny scabs form over the penetration sites. These scabs are much larger than the eventual dot size, causing many people to worry unnecessarily that their ‘hair’ will appear unnatural. This particular issue is covered in another post however, so I won’t digress here. As the scabs heal and fall off, they take a significant amount of pigment with them, leaving behind a smaller and lighter ‘dot’.
The natural exfoliation of your scalp expedites this process further.
What if your procedure has lightened too much?
Most people typically refer to this process as fading, but in actual fact fading is not responsible at this stage. All that is happening is that dark scabs are falling off the scalp, creating a lightening effect.
This can leave many people disappointed, usually because they liked the dramatic change they saw immediately after their procedure. However there is no need to worry. Scalp micropigmentation is a process completed over several sessions, and as more pigment is introduced and fades and the density increases, a skilled technician should be able to give you the appearance you’re aiming for.
Patience is key
The best advice I can offer is to be aware of the process. Know what to expect from your first session, and learn about expected fading. Understand that this is a multi-session procedure, and that a sufficient time gap must be allowed between each session.
A little knowledge, in this context at least, is a good thing. You’ll reduce any unnecessary anxiety and enjoy the experience a lot more if you know what to expect.
