Many men experience hair loss in their lives. It might start early on, with some men suffering from male pattern baldness even in their twenties. For others, it may occur later in life. One thing’s for sure, though – 80% of all men will have experienced it by the time they reach 70 years old. [1]
It makes sense, then, that there are so many hair restoration options available out there, from medications to surgical procedures. One hair loss treatment you may have come across is hair tattooing. The question is, is it worth pursuing?
About Hair Tattoos for Men
Hair tattooing is also known as scalp micropigmentation (SMP) and is a procedure that uses a tiny needle to create small dots on the scalp that look like short hairs. These are quite different from regular tattoos – they aren’t about showcasing your creativity and interests. In fact, hair tattooing isn’t supposed to be noticeable at all; the best ones should look like regular hair growth.
Hair tattooing is more commonly used by men trying to hide hair loss as the pigment cannot look like long hairs; instead, they can give the appearance of a cropped look all over. However, it is possible for both men and women to receive this treatment.
The Pros and Cons of Hair Tattoos for Men
So, are hair tattoos for men worth it? As with most hair restoration options, there are both advantages and disadvantages. If you’re considering getting a hair tattoo for men, consider the following pros and cons.
The Pros of Hair Tattoos for Men
It Gives the Appearance of a Full Head of Hair
Whether you have a receding hairline or are balding almost all over, a hair tattoo creates the illusion of a full head of hair. It is pretty incredible and can be a confidence booster for many men experiencing male pattern baldness.
Long-lasting Results
Hair tattoos will last a long time. In fact, you will still benefit from the new full head of hair appearance even years after the procedure. Once it starts to fade, you can get a top-up.
No Upkeep
Some hair restoration options require ongoing upkeep. For example, minoxidil, the popular topical hair loss medication, needs to be used every single day for it to keep working. That’s not the case with hair tattooing – once the procedure is complete, you won’t even have to think about it! It may need some touch-ups down the road, but, day-to-day, you can rely on the ink being there.
It’s Not as Painful as Regular Tattoos
While hair tattoos aren’t 100% painless, they are generally more tolerable than a regular tattoo. That’s because the needle doesn’t have to go too deep into the skin’s layers.
No Surgery Involved
For many people with a receding hairline or thinning areas on their scalp, the idea of surgery seems a bit too extreme. A hair tattoo allows you to avoid surgery altogether – it’s a process that simply involves a needle and tattoo gun.
A Speedy Recovery
Recovery following a hair tattoo is pretty swift. In fact, your scalp will have fully recovered in a matter of two weeks. You can usually return to work after just a few short days.
It Can Be Combined with a Hair Transplant
Some men may not be satisfied with hair tattoos on their own. However, hair tattoos and hair transplants work well together – a hair transplant will transfer hair follicles to encourage new growth, while the hair tattoo will give the appearance of more fullness around the scalp.
The Cons of Hair Tattoos for Men
Results May Not Be Natural
One potential disadvantage you should be aware of is that results aren’t always natural looking. Sometimes, the tattooist will tattoo the hairline too far down so that it doesn’t match your own. Or, the dots may be too big to be hair follicles. While this is a significant downside and can put many people off this procedure, it’s worth doing your research, as the results all depend on the clinic you go to. Realistically, you get what you pay for.
It Can Be Costly
Speaking of what you pay for – this procedure can be expensive. The price varies depending on the amount of area you need to cover, but you can expect to pay up to £3,500 for the procedure (less if you only need to cover a small patch). For some, this cost is a little high.
Complications May Occur
While serious complications are very rare, it’s still crucial to be aware of them, as they can occur. One potential side effect is a skin infection, which occurs if the tattoo needle or ink has been contaminated. To avoid this risk, always do your research into the clinic.
It May Not Work with Long Hair
If you have long but thinning hair and you want to keep the length, hair tattooing won’t necessarily be the best route. Sure, it may hide some balding scalp spots, giving the appearance of hair follicles, but it won’t grow actual strands. For men who like to grow their hair longer than a buzz cut, a different hair restoration option may be required.
It Doesn’t Grow Real Hair
One of the main disadvantages is that the treatment doesn’t actually produce real-life hairs. The hairs themselves are tiny dots on the scalp – you certainly cannot run your fingers through them! For a buzz cut look, this is fine, but for those with longer strands, it may not be worth it.
It Can Take a While
You may be sitting in the tattoo chair for a long while if you opt for a hair tattoo. The more coverage you need, the longer you can expect to wait.
It’s Not Actually Permanent
Most tattoos are permanent, but that’s not the case for hair tattoos. That’s because hair tattoos consist of tiny dots all over the scalp that fade over time. As a result, you will need to return to the clinic/tattooist after a couple of years to maintain the look. Over time, this can be costly and annoying.
Tattoo Removal Can be Costly and Painful
If you are not happy with the results, you can get them removed. However, this isn’t the best route, as tattoo removal can be expensive and even painful. This is a last resort procedure for people who seriously regret their hair tattoos, which is why it’s essential to be 100% sure of your decision before getting it done.
So, Should You Get a Hair Tattoo?
Deciding whether to get a hair tattoo or not is a personal decision. Hair tattoos tend to work best for men with shorter hair who have a receding hairline, as the tattooing can fill in the front and give the appearance of a full head of hair. However, it’s best to be realistic about your expectations – hair tattoos are not real hair, and they do fade over time.
Other Hair Restoration Options
There are other hair restoration options available if a hair tattoo isn’t your thing. Or, if you do want a hair tattoo, you can use another hair treatment to work alongside it for an improved finished look.
Hair Loss Medications: There are several hair loss medications that work for male pattern hair loss, including minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride. Minoxidil usually comes as a topical medication, whereas finasteride and dutasteride are oral treatments.
Low-level Light Therapy: LLLT is a way to stimulate the hair follicles, which can encourage new hair growth. It works well for androgenetic alopecia, with several randomised studies showing that it leads to an increase in hair count. [2]
Wigs and Hair Pieces: Many men use wigs and hair pieces to hide their balding scalp. While they used to be quite noticeable, nowadays, you can find high-quality hair pieces that look as natural as your own hair, with the only real downside being that it’s not permanent, and you’ll need to apply it every day to keep up the look.
Hair Transplants: A hair transplant is a method that takes hair follicles from the back or sides of the scalp (where there is healthy hair) and transplants them to the receding/balding area, such as the temples. It’s a permanent solution that gives natural results – plus, you can grow your hair as long as you’d like with a hair transplant. Check out this patients gallery to see what hair transplant results look like.
Hair Tattoo for Men: In Summary
Mens hair tattoos for baldness has both advantages and disadvantages – on the one hand, it’s a simple, non-surgical procedure that gives the appearance of increased hair density and works particularly well for men with buzz cuts. On the other, it’s not 100% permanent, can be costly, and not all results are natural. If you do decide to get a hair tattoo, research the clinic or tattooist first, preferably looking at past patient results to see whether they can provide the final result you’re looking for.
Are you interested in something more permanent? If you want to grow a full head of hair once more, a hair transplant is undoubtedly the best option. To get started, download our hair track app, which puts you in touch with the best surgeons in the industry.
Sources:
- https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/male-pattern-hair-loss-male-androgenetic-alopecia/#:~:text=The%20age%20of%20onset%20of,Change%20in%20dietary%20habits.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8906269/#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20LLLT,in%20both%20males%20and%20females.