What Size Needle is Used in Scalp Micropigmentation? How Much Pain Is There?

If you are considering scalp micropigmentation as a solution to your hair loss, you likely have a number of questions about the process. One of the most common questions clients have about SMP is what type of needle will be used during your sessions, and how painful will it be? At Trillium Ink, we strive to make each client as comfortable as possible and believe that knowledge is power, so we like to give our clients as much information as we can. Scalp tattoos are generally believed to be the most painful type of tattoo, but scalp micropigmentation is much more shallow than traditional tattoos. As a result, our clients rate their pain level between 2 and 4 on a scale of 1-10.

What Size Needle Is Used?

For the scalp micropigmentation service, our technicians use a 3-point-micro-needle, which is about 75% smaller than a tattoo needle. The nature of the service necessitates a smaller than average needle because we are recreating hair follicles, which are tiny on your scalp. Additionally, our needles are single-use, meaning we do not reuse needles on clients. This ensures the most sanitary micro-tattoo experience.

How Painful Is It?

Because the size of the needle is so small and because it does not penetrate deeply into the skin, scalp micropigmentation is not very painful. Most of our clients rate their pain level between 2 and 4 on a scale of 1-10. However, the pain could be slightly worse if you have had hair transplants in the past because the scar tissue may be more sensitive. Most other body tattoos penetrate five layers into the epidermis and the dermal layer. But a scalp micropigmentation tattoo will only penetrate two layers of the epidermis, making it a very shallow tattoo. Additionally, because our technicians use a dotting technique rather than a “scraping” technique used in traditional tattoo applications, our clients will naturally feel less discomfort.

Contact Trillium Ink

If you are considering scalp micropigmentation as a permanent solution to your hair loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to Trillium Ink with any questions you may have. Call our office at 425.238.1222 or fill out a contact form online.