Frequently Asked Questions

Scalp Micropigmentation — also called a hair tattoo — is a cosmetic procedure that uses microneedles to deposit pigment into the upper layer of the scalp, replicating the appearance of tiny hair follicles. It creates the look of a full, close-shaved head of hair or adds density to thinning hair.

It is not a traditional tattoo. Different machines, needles, pigments, and techniques are used — and the pigment is placed much shallower, making the result look completely natural and preventing the colour from ever turning blue or bleeding over time.

SMP is a permanent hair loss solution — it never fully disappears. Most clients come back every 3–5 years for a single touch-up session to refresh the colour, which is all that's needed. Sun exposure is the main cause of fading, so wearing SPF on your scalp or a hat outdoors will significantly extend the life of your result.

Overall, SMP causes very mild discomfort — most clients chat or read during the session. Some areas of the scalp are slightly more sensitive (the temples being most common), but nothing that most people find unbearable. A topical numbing cream is applied before each session. Michael regularly has clients who fall asleep during treatment.

SMP is a completely different procedure to a regular tattoo:

• Different needles — micro needles that replicate the exact size of a hair follicle
• Different depth — SMP goes only 2 layers deep; tattoos go 5 layers deep
• Different pigments — plant-based SMP pigments fade naturally; tattoo ink can turn blue or green
• Different technique — SMP requires specialist training; it is its own discipline
• Different result — SMP looks like real hair follicles, not a painted-on design

Most clients need 2–3 sessions spaced 7–10 days apart. Each session builds on the last:

• Session 1 — Base layer applied. You'll leave looking noticeably different
• Session 2 — Density built up, hairline refined under healed skin conditions
• Session 3 — Final perfection pass (if needed)

Some clients return for a 4th session for additional touch-ups and healed photos. You will see a visible difference from your very first appointment.

No. The needle only reaches the upper dermis — well above the hair follicle, which sits much deeper in the scalp. SMP cannot damage your existing hair. In fact, it has been known to stimulate hair growth in some clients as a side effect of the microneedling process.

Yes — when performed by a skilled and experienced artist like Michael. The pigment is colour-matched precisely to your natural hair tone and applied in patterns that replicate real follicles. Our clients regularly report that friends, partners, and even barbers have no idea they've had a procedure done. They just think their hair "grew back."

SMP is the fastest-growing hair loss treatment in the world. The global SMP market is projected to grow 6.8% annually through 2030. In Australia, around 42% of men experience noticeable balding by age 50, driving enormous demand for effective, non-surgical solutions. At My Transformation, we have treated 500+ Perth clients since 2019.

Several things set My Transformation apart:

• Michael personally handles every consultation and every treatment — you always deal with the same artist
• Trained under 4 SMP masters including a master class
• Travelled to Brazil to train under world-leading artist Renato Muramatsu
• Exclusive 3D thread-by-thread technique — the only practitioner trained in this in Australia
• Pointillism SMP — more density in fewer sessions
• 12 months of aftercare included with every treatment
• 5-star rating across 72 Google reviews

Yes. Because SMP pigment is placed shallower than a regular tattoo, it is significantly easier to remove. Laser removal typically takes only 1–3 sessions compared to 10+ for traditional tattoos. That said, we invest enormous time in the design and consultation process to ensure you are 100% happy before we begin — getting it right first time is always the goal.

Not always — it depends on your treatment. For full baldness or a complete buzz-cut look, shaving gives the most seamless result. For density treatments where you're keeping your hair, shaving is not required. Michael also offers the exclusive 3D thread-by-thread technique which allows clients to keep their hair slightly longer than a zero — contact us for more info on this.

Yes. Hairline restoration is one of the most popular SMP treatments for men. If your hairline has receded, we can recreate it at whatever position suits your face shape — with a sharp, shaped, or naturally soft edge depending on your preference. If the recession is significant with thinning throughout, shaving to zero and adding a full hair tattoo is the best option. If it's just the hairline, we can simply reinstate it.

Absolutely — full scalp coverage for complete baldness is one of the most common treatments at My Transformation. We replicate the look of a freshly shaved head with a full density of follicle dots and a clean, natural hairline designed specifically for your face shape. Results are visible from session one and are 100% undetectable.

Yes. Both FUT (linear strip) scars and FUE (circular punch) scars can be effectively camouflaged with SMP. We use colour-matched pigment to blend the scarred areas seamlessly into the surrounding scalp, making them completely invisible — even up close. This is a very common treatment for men who have had previous hair transplant surgery.

Michael will design your ideal hairline during your consultation based on your face shape and what looks most natural for you. The three main styles are:

• Sharp / Clean — a precise, defined edge like a fresh shape-up
• Shaped / Natural — slightly rounded at the temples for a more natural look
• Soft / Youthful — the most natural-looking option with subtle micro-irregularities

Michael's signature is also the barber fade — blending from lighter sides up to a darker, denser top — which gives the most realistic result.

Yes — and many clients do. After a full head SMP, you simply maintain a shaved or very short head as you normally would. The SMP is completely undetectable to your barber. In fact, many of our clients report that their barber simply assumes their hair "grew back" — not that they've had any procedure done.

This is an advanced SMP technique that Michael trained in Brazil specifically to bring back to Perth — and as far as he knows, he is the only practitioner in Australia trained in it. Rather than a traditional shaved-head look, the thread-by-thread method creates individual hair-strand impressions in 3D layers, allowing you to keep your hair slightly longer than a zero. This opens up SMP to men who want to retain some hair length while still covering thinning or bald areas. Contact us for more information — consultations are free.

Absolutely. Women's SMP is one of the most popular treatments at My Transformation. Around 49% of Australian women experience some form of hair loss — SMP is an effective, non-surgical solution regardless of the cause. Rather than a buzzcut effect, women's SMP adds pigment between existing hairs to create the illusion of density and thickness, without changing your hairstyle at all.

No — not at all. Women's SMP works with your existing hair. We add pigment between your hair strands to create the appearance of a fuller, denser head of hair. Your hair length and style remain completely unchanged. You simply look like you have more hair — nobody would ever know otherwise.

The most common cause is female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), which affects around 49% of women in Australia. Other causes include:

• Stress and trauma
• Hormonal changes (menopause, childbirth, thyroid)
• Medication side effects
• Alopecia areata
• Cancer treatment
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hairstyles that pull on the scalp over time

SMP is effective regardless of the cause of hair loss. Your consultation will help us assess the best approach for your specific situation.

Yes — SMP works very well for women with any hair length. The pigment is applied between your existing hairs, matching their colour exactly, to create the look of thicker, denser hair. Whether your hair is long, medium, or short — the result looks completely natural because it blends seamlessly with what's already there. SMP will not damage any of your existing hair follicles.

Sessions for women typically last 1–4 hours depending on the area being treated. Most clients need 2–3 sessions spaced 2–3 weeks apart — slightly longer spacing than for men to allow the layered pigment to blend naturally with existing hair. Results are visible from session one and build dramatically through each session.

After the initial settling period (redness subsides within 48–72 hours), your result will look completely natural. Close friends and family may notice that your hair looks fuller and thicker — but they won't be able to identify why. They'll just think you found a great shampoo. Only people you choose to tell will know.

Yes — but we recommend colouring and cutting your hair before beginning your SMP sessions, not after. This is because the scalp needs to remain dry for 5 days after each treatment. Once your sessions are complete and you've fully healed, you can colour your hair as normal. Michael will match the pigment to your hair colour at the time of treatment.

Women's SMP typically lasts 3–5 years before a touch-up is needed to refresh the colour. Longevity depends on sun exposure, skin type, and skincare routine. A touch-up is just one session — it's quick, affordable, and restores the result completely. Between touch-ups, the treatment requires no maintenance whatsoever.