Scalp Micropigmentation Gone Wrong: How to Avoid Bad SMP Results
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) was first developed in 2006 and has since become one of the most effective non-surgical solutions for male pattern baldness. When performed correctly, it delivers natural, realistic, and undetectable results.
However, as the industry has grown, so has the number of scalp micropigmentation gone wrong cases.
While high-quality SMP restores confidence, poor workmanship can leave clients with dark, patchy, unnatural results. These problems require costly and painful correction.
Skalp was the second Scalp Micropigmentation company in the world to open. Over the years, Skalp has treated more than 20,000 clients, delivering consistent, precision-based results.
Skalp® treatment examples
Below are 2 examples of Skalp® treatments. The finished results are even, with uniform size dots. The density and colour is matching and blend perfectly with the remaining hair. The hairlines have a natural soft appearance.
In both of these treatment examples, the pictures were taken soon after treatment. The dots will be even smaller and more natural looking once fully settled.
Why Is Scalp Micropigmentation Going Wrong More Often?
When Skalp first opened, there were only a handful of clinics worldwide offering SMP. Today, the treatment’s popularity has led to rapid industry expansion.
Unfortunately, this growth has also led to:
- Underqualified practitioners
- Tattoo artists offering SMP without specialist training
- Short training courses with minimal real-world experience
- Use of incorrect pigment and equipment
- Stolen before-and-after images
The result? An increase in bad SMP treatments that require correction.
Real Examples of Scalp Micropigmentation Gone Wrong
Case 1: Overly Dark, Patchy SMP (£1,000 Clinic Treatment)
A client attended another SMP clinic after being assured the practitioner had three years of experience.
The result:
- Very dark pigment
- Uneven distribution
- Patchy density
- Artificial appearance
This required corrective intervention.
Case 2: Tattoo Artist Attempting SMP (£800 Treatment)
In this case, the client visited a traditional tattooist who claimed SMP was easy to replicate.
The tattooist used:
- Standard tattoo machine
- Regular tattoo needles
- Traditional tattoo pigment
The outcome:
- Large, oversized dots
- Pigment far too dark
- Severe patchiness
- “Helmet” effect appearance
This type of bad SMP often requires laser removal before correction can begin.
Case 3: Misleading Credentials & Stolen Photos
Another client was assured the practitioner had completed over 300 treatments. After receiving an extremely patchy result with clusters of black dots and blank areas, the client discovered:
- The practitioner had only completed a 5-day course
- The before-and-after images shown were stolen from other clinics
This example highlights why due diligence is critical before choosing a provider.
Scalp Micropigmentation Is NOT Just a Tattoo
Although SMP involves pigment being deposited into the scalp using a needle, it is fundamentally different from traditional tattooing.
Key Differences Between Tattooing and SMP:
- Specialised micro-needles
- Organic pigment designed to fade naturally
- Precise depth control
- Follicle-sized impressions
- Hairline design principles based on facial symmetry
When tattoo machines, standard tattoo ink, or improper techniques are used, the outcome often leads to:
- Oversized dots
- Blue or green discolouration
- Harsh, artificial hairlines
- Patchy density
- Permanent scarring
This is where many cases of scalp micropigmentation gone wrong begin.
Would you go to a Tattooist/Dentist/Doctor/Plastic Surgeon that has 3-5 days of training?
All Skalp® practitioners are trained for a minimum of 3 months before they are ready to perform treatment on our clients. They undergo both coursework and practical learning to prepare them for serving real clients. Once they have passed their training, they are then closely monitored and continue to be trained to ensure they are meeting our extremely high standards. Furthermore, every member of the Skalp team undertakes ongoing training in new techniques too. This helps us to stay up to date and offer you the very best solution for your hair loss.
Worryingly, we are now seeing inexperienced practitioners that have just completed a 3-5 day training course in SMP (This is the SMP industry standard training course length outside of Skalp®). It’s also true that as Scalp Micropigmentation has become more and more popular over the years people have seen SMP as a way to make some easy money. However, when you look at photos and videos of scalp micropigmentation gone wrong, you’ll be convinced not to take a route that seems too good to be true!
These individuals are trying to cut corners to make money and then promote themselves as the world’s best practitioners. The result is sad for clients who have not done much research as they have their treatment performed by one of these practitioners with little to no experience with minimal training. In the end, they end up with blotchy, patchy, large dots and very unnatural results.
We even see some of these practitioners who have only had a few days of training then promote themselves as the world’s best Scalp Micropigmentation trainers and offer their own training courses. So you have someone with no experience training the next person to perform SMP!
Ask the right questions
Ask yourself if would you go to any business that will be performing a permanent treatment on your body that has only completed a 3-5 day training course? It would be bad enough to get a botched tattoo on your back/arms/leg that could be hidden. However, Scalp Micropigmentation treatment is on your head and is out there for the world to see every second of every day. We understand new practitioners have to start somewhere but a few days of training is not a start. If you happen to be one of the clients in the first year of one of these practitioners you are effectively a guinea pig for them to practice on.
Can Skalp® fix it?
Every week we will have at least 5 people contact Skalp® and say I’ve just had Scalp Micropigmentation at another clinic and I’m not happy. Can you fix it? Sometimes they just have patchy, uneven results, that are slightly too dark or light with unnatural or asymmetrical hairlines. However, sometimes their head is way beyond repair with dots that are 5-10 times bigger than they should be and the colour is way too dark and blotchy, and they are now hiding under a hat because they are too embarrassed to be seen in public.
If they are lucky and the other clinic has not gone too dark or given them very large dots all over their head then we can fix it. But sometimes they are not that lucky and the only solution is to remove the whole treatment with a laser and start again.
Do your research!
The message here is to do your research and do a lot of it before choosing your Scalp Micropigmentation clinic.
Skalp® hasn’t built our reputation by chance, we are recognised worldwide as the world’s number one Scalp Micropigmentation clinics. This is because we have the most skilled and experienced practitioners in the industry.
We have completed 10,000’s of undetectable, realistic and natural looking Scalp Micropigmentation treatments and go the extra mile to make the whole treatment process an enjoyable, professional and life changing experience. In fact, we are proud that none of our work has ever been included in a scalp micropigmentation gone wrong feature. We are here to help you get the results you want without worry! Get in touch today and let’s discuss what we can do to help you.
We have clinics in London and Manchester.
Book an appointment for a complimentary consultation today
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