Scalp Micropigmentation and Grey Hair: How Does it Work?

Scalp Micropigmentation and Grey Hair: How Does it Work?

Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) is often hailed as one of the most effective hair loss solutions today. It delivers realistic results, is compatible with both men and women, and can work with a variety of hair types and colours. One of the main concerns with scalp micropigmentation is its compatibility with grey hair. As we age, we lose the pigments in our hair follicles that give it its natural colour. Eventually, our hair will look completely grey once all the pigment dies out.

The main question is, “how can scalp micropigmentation work for people with grey hair?” If you’re curious about how SMP can match with your existing hair colour, then don’t worry. This article will cover everything you need to know about scalp micropigmentation and how the treatment can cater to gray-haired individuals.

How SMP practitioners match the treatment with grey hair

The beauty of scalp micropigmentation is that no matter your hair colour, you can always achieve a seamless and natural-looking result. A professional SMP practitioner starts by diluting a special carbon-based pigment that is mixed with distilled water to achieve the desired colour. Depending on how grey the client’s hair is, the practitioner will add more or less water to perfectly match the pigment’s tone and shade. This is done with exact precision by using a syringe to measure distilled water when adding it to the pigment.



Keep in mind that whenever hair is cut short, it appears in a tone and shade of grey — it just depends on how strong or soft that tone is. It’s the practitioner’s job to get the appropriate tone and shade for their client, which is why we recommend going to a reputable scalp micropigmentation treatment for a highly personalized look.

What happens to your SMP treatment when your hair turns grey

Many patients who’ve undergone scalp micropigmentation are anxious to see their treatment once their hair turns grey. Contrary to what you may believe, your SMP treatment won’t look out of place. This is simply because of the required hair length that you need to maintain after undergoing scalp micropigmentation. Most practitioners recommend their clients to shave their head once or twice a week (depending on how fast their hair grows) to maintain that clean-cut look. Regardless of whether your hair colour is blonde, black, brown, or gray, it will appear greyish when you keep it closely shaved (which is known as a 5 o’clock shadow).

Another thing worth noting is how your pigments will age. Just like tattoo ink, the pigments used in scalp micropigmentation will fade over time, albeit at a much slower rate. The pigment will appear lighter compared to when you first had SMP treatment, thus blending in more accurately with grey hair. Rarely do SMP practitioners encounter any issues with SMP treatments looking unnatural when their client’s hair turns grey, but of course regular touch-ups are a must to mimic the appearance of real hair.

How touch-ups are done to maintain the look of your SMP treatment

Touch-ups are part of regular maintenance for your scalp micropigmentation treatment. During the touch-up session, the practitioner uses lighter pigments than the previously used ones to further blend in the look. This combination of new and old pigments create an ultra-realistic appearance of a buzz cut. You can also customize your treatment by adding a sharper hairline and more defined edges. How the practitioner will address your treatment will depend on a variety of factors such as how grey your hair turned out and how much fading the pigments have experienced.



When properly cared for, a scalp micropigmentation will last anywhere from 3-7 years. Your practitioner will be able to provide a timeline on when you should undergo touch-ups to maintain the look of your hair. Aside from touch-ups, a laser removal procedure is also another option that personalizes your treatment as you age. Laser removals can help soften the look of your SMP treatment for a more natural, mature look.

Following aftercare procedures as per your practitioner’s instructions

The only thing you should be concerned about is maintaining your SMP treatment. Your practitioner will provide you with a detailed aftercare instruction on how to look after your treatment so make sure to follow them properly. In general, you should avoid direct sun exposure on your scalp as this breaks down the pigments and makes them look blotchy. You should also use a water-based moisturizer on your scalp everyday to prevent the pigments from flaking off and avoid premature fading.

In reality, going grey isn’t something you should be worried about when you undergo scalp micropigmentation. The treatment is designed to work with all types of hair colours, even with grey hair. If you’re looking for a permanent solution to addressing your hair loss problems, then you should definitely consider scalp micropigmentation.