Scalp micropigmentation is one of the most popular solutions to hair loss challenges. Not only because it is cheaper than alternatives like hair transplants, but also because it is the only permanent procedure that offers immediate results.

SMP practitioners say that the most common question they get from potential clients is on the cost of the treatment. Many are wondering if it is something they can afford and if they would need to save up for it. 

So just how much will you have to part with to get a quality scalp micropigmentation treatment job done?

The answer is that costs vary depending on a few factors. Scalp Micro USA, a leading micropigmentation company, for instance, puts their quote at between $2,000 and $4,500.

What Is the Average Cost for Quality Scalp Micropigmentation Treatment?

Establishing roughly how much quality scalp micropigmentation treatment will cost you is best done by checking what top companies charge.

Hairline Ink, scalp micropigmentation experts based in several cities in the U.S including New York, Washington D.C, and Los Angeles place their prices at between $1,800 and $3,200.

Scalp Micro USA, another leading name in the industry, located in Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, and New York, charge between $2000 and $4,500.

Scalp Hairlines International which operates from offices in New York and North Carolina put its cost for a typical scalp micropigmentation procedure at between $2,500 and $5,500.

From the ranges given by these reputed names, it is clear that there is no standard cost, but rather a wide range to work with. Exactly how much you end up paying depends on a number of factors. Here are some of them.

Factors Which Determine the Cost of Scalp Micropigmentation Treatment

Treatment Area

This is perhaps the most significant factor to be considered before a practitioner gives you a final quote for your scalp micropigmentation treatment. What is the extent of your hair loss? The less hair you have, the more you will have to pay.

Most men looking for SMP work suffer from male pattern baldness, the severity of which is professionally determined using The Norwood scale. This 7-stage scale defines the extent of hair loss, starting from stage 1 described as the baseline where there is no hair loss. It goes through to stage 7 where the man only has hair around the back and sides of the head, forming what has become the classic ‘horseshoe’ pattern. 

Skin Type

Yes, some skin types are easier for the SMP technician to deal with than others. The majority of men have what is considered normal skin. Those who don’t have that may require special accommodations which translate to extra cost.

For instance, extremely dry skin, older skin, or skin with severe acne requires extra time and caution. Very thick skin may not require extra caution but is more expensive to treat. Why so? Because the practitioner takes more time to apply extra pressure in order for the needles to penetrate as required. 

Hair Density

Natural hair density could vary greatly from one man to another. Did you know blondes have denser hair than redheads? The former with an average of 150,000 individual hair follicles and the latter with as few as 90,000.

In order to create a natural look, it will take a practitioner longer to complete an SMP treatment on a man with dense hair than one with more scattered hair follicles. 

Experience and expertise of the practitioner

We all know the expression ‘You get what you pay for’. That is the case in this situation. Professionally trained and highly experienced SMP technicians charge more than inexperienced ones who are just starting out.

Even after you settle on a reputable facility to have your SMP treatment done, be sure to check on the individual technician who will be doing your treatment. They should have before and after pictures of people they have worked on. Many trusted experts also have glowing testimonials from happy clients. 

Final Thoughts

Once you make the decision to have SMP treatment done to address your hair loss challenge, it goes without saying that you should consider only reputable and leading clinics or beauty studios. With that, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,800 and $5,500 depending on factors such as the extent of hair loss, your skin type, and the quality of the practitioner.

If you come across a place whose charges seem too good to be true, then it probably is. Steer clear of these and stick to the tried and tested.