Post-Treatment Tips For Hair Tattoos

After receiving your micropigmentation treatments, you will be given care instructions that will help you maintain the longevity of your hair tattoo. These tattoos are not as deep as traditional tattoos, but they still require a similar level of care to assist in the healing process. Here are some of our post-treatment tips:

Wear Protective Clothing and Sunscreen

Protect your hair tattoo by wearing hats or other protective clothing outdoors. Hats are a good option for those who work outside or regularly participate in outdoor activities. Be sure to wear clean clothing and wash your head coverings regularly to maintain the health of the treatment site. Some hats, like baseball caps, can cleaned in a washing machine set on a cool setting to prevent shrinkage. Hats made with more delicate materials should be spot-cleaned with soap and water.

We recommend that you wear sunscreen on your scalp after your tattoo has fully healed. This prevents the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV) from fading your tattoo or giving you a sunburn. Sunburns damage the surface layer of your skin, causing discomfort and skin peeling that can remove the micropigmentation as the burn heals. Scalp Micro USA artists will recommend sunscreen products formulated specifically for micropigmentation clients.

Avoid Shampoos and Conditioners

We recommend refraining from scrubbing, shampooing, or shaving the treated area for at least four to five days after your treatment session. This prevents discomfort and allows your tattoo to heal naturally. To properly wash your new tattoo, you should first wash your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring oils or bacteria to the scalp. You can then use lukewarm water and a gentle, antibacterial soap to remove oil and dirt.

Some shampoos and conditioners contain additives like fragrances and sulfides that could cause skin irritation. Look for sulfate-free and fragrance-free hair products to protect your healing tattoo. Some signs that your tattoo has fully healed include an absence of redness and an even skin texture that matches the surrounding skin. Once the treatment site is fully healed, your tattoo will last between four to six years.

Resist the Urge to Scratch

A full micropigmentation treatment requires two to four tattooing sessions to achieve the desired result. After each session, you may experience some itchiness or redness in the affected area. Please resist the urge to scratch or rub the area, as this could cause further irritation. Other actions to avoid include tapping or slapping your tattoo.

If you must touch the area, be sure to wash your hand with soap and water first. This reduces the chances of introducing bacteria or dirt to your healing skin. We understand that itchiness accompanies healing, so we may recommend itch-relief ointments formulated for new tattoos that hydrate the skin and assist with the healing process.

Avoid Sweating and Moisture

We recommend that you take a break from physical activities like exercise, sports, and yard work for four to five days after your treatment. Sweating could lead to moisture buildup on and within your new tattoo, which could lead to bacteria growth. Avoiding excessive sweating immediately after treatment protects the pigmentation from being displaced.

If you enjoy swimming, take a break from pools while your tattoo heals. This prevents moisture and chemicals from coming into contact with the treatment site. Pools are commonly maintained with harsh chemicals like chlorine, and they may harbor bacteria from other patrons. Wait for approximately a month before entering a pool or hot tub to boost the health of your healing skin.

Apply Hydrating Lotion

Once your new tattoo has healed, applying lotion helps keep your skin healthy and improves the longevity of your treatment. Choose an unscented lotion with simple, natural ingredients. We will provide our product recommendations during your consultation or after your treatment ends.

If you have oily skin, look for lotions that offer anti-shine benefits. This allows you to keep your skin healthy and hydrated while lessening the shine and reflection on your scalp. If you are unsure of your skin type, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and wait for about thirty minutes. Look for shininess above your eyebrows, down your nose, and on your chin. If you notice oil or shine in those areas, you may have oily skin and could benefit from an anti-shine scalp moisturizer.

Touch-Up Services

At Scalp Micro USA, we use a specialized ink designed for micropigmentation treatments. This ink contains no additional additives or colors, which means that your tattoo will not change color or expand over time. Because we place the ink shallowly in the skin, fading will naturally occur after several years. This is why we offer touch-up services to our clients.

Touch-ups are additional treatment sessions for clients who want to make adjustments to their hairlines or freshen up their healed tattoos. Our artists will use the same careful tattooing process to reapply pigment to any fading areas. These brief touch-up sessions may vary in length depending on your appearance goals.

Schedule Your Free Hair Tattoo Consultation

At Scalp Micro USA, we provide treatments for men and women experiencing thinning hair and hair loss. Our clinics are located in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Austin, Chicago, and South Florida. Contact us today to schedule your free micropigmentation consultation.