Strand By Strand Hair Tattoo Perth
Strand-by-Strand Hair Tattoo in Perth
Traditional scalp micropigmentation uses dots to look like a fresh buzz cut. With strand-by-strand, every stroke is drawn as a fine individual hair, following the direction your hair grows naturally, so the result has a 3D, textured look.
Hair strokes, not just dots
A strand-by-strand hair tattoo puts pigment into the scalp as thousands of fine, hair-like strokes. Each one is angled to follow your natural growth pattern: forward at the hairline, fanning out from the crown, and blending into the sides.
Real hair has length and direction, so the strokes catch light the way short hair does. That is what gives the 3D effect a flat dot pattern can't match up close.
Traditional SMP
Tiny dots that copy shaved stubble. Ideal for a clean buzz-cut look.
Strand-by-strand
Directional hair strokes for texture, depth and a natural grain across the head.
Mid-treatment: the strand-by-strand work on the left, untreated scalp on the right.
Trained with Renato Muramatsu in Brazil
In November 2025 I travelled to São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, to train in the strand-by-strand technique with Renato Muramatsu at his own training studio. Brazil is where much of this 3D hair-stroke work has been developed. Learning it hands-on, in his studio, means the method I use in Perth is the one I was taught there: mapping growth direction, building stroke density in layers and finishing over two sessions.
— Michael, My Transformation
- Renato MuramatsuTrainer
- São José do Rio PretoBrazil · at his training studio
- November 2025Training completed
Where we start
A walk-around of a client's scalp before treatment, with thinning through the top and crown. Most of our clients start from here.
How a strand-by-strand hair tattoo is done
Two sessions in total: a full day of work, then a second visit for adjustments and extra colour.
Consultation and photos
We start by looking at your hair loss: how far it goes, your skin tone, the colour of your existing hair and how you like to wear it. Consultations are in person at our Ballajura clinic or by WhatsApp video call, and that's where you get your price.
Hairline design and direction mapping Session 1
Before any pigment goes in, I draw your hairline and map the direction your hair grows across the whole scalp in white pencil. This map guides every stroke. It's what makes the finished result look like hair rather than a pattern. You see it and approve it in the mirror first.
Colour matching and the hairline Session 1
The pigment is matched to your natural hair and skin tone. I then build the hairline stroke by stroke, keeping the front edge soft and irregular, the way a natural hairline is, never a hard line.
Strand-by-strand across the top and crown Session 1
Working from the map, I lay down individual hair strokes across the top and fan them out from the crown, layering density gradually. This is detailed work and takes a full day. Redness straight after is normal and settles down.
Healing
You go home with aftercare instructions. Over the following weeks the scalp heals and the strokes settle and soften. Healed strokes look finer than they do on the day, which is why the second session matters.
Adjustments and extra colour Session 2
Once you've healed, you come back. I refine the hairline, fill any areas that healed lighter and add more colour or density where it's needed. That completes the treatment. There is no third session.
Two sessions. That's it.
Full-day session
Consultation, hairline design, direction mapping, colour matching and the complete strand-by-strand application.
Adjustments and colour
Done once you've healed. We refine, top up colour and add density where it's needed to finish the result.
Many traditional SMP treatments take three or more sessions. With the strand-by-strand method, the bulk of the work is done in one long day, so it finishes in two.
Strand-by-strand at My Transformation
Strand-by-strand hair tattoo questions
What's the difference between strand-by-strand and SMP?
Traditional SMP uses dots to copy shaved stubble. Strand-by-strand uses fine directional hair strokes that follow your growth pattern, giving more texture and a 3D look up close.
How many sessions will I need?
Two. The first is a full day covering design, mapping and the complete application. The second, once you've healed, is for adjustments and extra colour. There is no third session.
Who is it suited to?
Men with thinning or receding hair. We still treat the whole top of the head, not just the thin spots, so the result blends evenly with your existing hair. To keep it looking natural, you'll need to keep your hair short, at a number 1 or 2 on the clippers.
Where did you train in this technique?
I trained with Renato Muramatsu at his training studio in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, in November 2025.
How much does it cost?
Every scalp is different, so each treatment is priced individually. To get your price, book a consultation, either in person at our Ballajura clinic or by WhatsApp video call.
Where are you located?
My Transformation is a private clinic in Ballajura, in Perth's northern suburbs.
See what strand-by-strand could do for you
Book a consultation, in person or by WhatsApp video call, to get your price. No obligation.