Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) has a 95% satisfaction rate at 1 year, but pigment fades by approximately 30% without touch-ups over 3 to 5 years. Hair transplants produce permanent, growing hair with 90% to 95% graft survival, but results take 12 to 18 months to mature. These are fundamentally different procedures that produce fundamentally different outcomes. myhairline.ai tracks the density difference between real follicles and cosmetic pigment, documenting what each approach actually delivers over time.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional for treatment decisions.
Understanding the Two Approaches
Scalp micropigmentation and hair transplantation address hair loss through completely different mechanisms. Understanding what each does is essential before comparing their tracking data.
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)
SMP is a cosmetic tattoo procedure. A practitioner deposits pigment dots into the scalp dermis using a specialized needle. These dots mimic the appearance of short, shaved hair follicles. The result is the visual illusion of a fuller head of hair.
Key characteristics:
- Immediate visual result (2 to 3 sessions over 2 to 4 weeks)
- No actual hair growth
- Pigment fades over time (30% fade over 3 to 5 years)
- Touch-up sessions needed every 2 to 5 years
- Cost: $2,000 to $5,000 for a full treatment
- No donor area required
- No surgical recovery period
- Works regardless of available donor hair
Hair Transplant (FUE, FUT, DHI)
Hair transplantation moves living follicles from the donor area (back and sides of the head) to the recipient area. The transplanted follicles grow real hair permanently.
Key characteristics:
- Final results take 12 to 18 months
- Real hair that grows, can be cut, and styled
- 90% to 95% graft survival rate
- Permanent (no touch-ups needed for surviving grafts)
- Cost varies by region and graft count
- Limited by donor supply
- Surgical recovery: 7 to 10 days for FUE, 10 to 14 days for FUT
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | SMP | Hair Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Time to result | 2 to 4 weeks | 12 to 18 months |
| Result type | Cosmetic illusion | Real growing hair |
| Permanence | Fades 30% over 3 to 5 years | Permanent |
| Maintenance | Touch-ups every 2 to 5 years | None for surviving grafts |
| Recovery | 3 to 5 days per session | 7 to 14 days |
| Donor requirement | None | Sufficient donor density required |
| Cost (Norwood 4) | $2,000 to $5,000 | $2,500 to $21,000 (varies by region) |
| Satisfaction at year 1 | 95% | 85% |
| Density measurable | No (cosmetic only) | Yes (real follicles) |
How Tracking Differs Between SMP and Transplants
This is the core distinction for myhairline.ai users. The tool measures follicular density, which is the number of actual follicular units per square centimeter. SMP does not create follicular units. It creates pigment impressions that look like follicles from a distance.
What SMP tracking shows
When you scan an SMP-treated area:
- Follicular density reads the same as before treatment (only native hair is detected)
- Visual photos show improved cosmetic coverage
- Over time, scans document pigment fade as the visual contrast between dots and scalp decreases
- No growth-related density changes appear because pigment does not grow
What transplant tracking shows
When you scan a transplanted area:
- Follicular density increases as grafts mature (months 4 to 18)
- Density readings reflect actual follicle count per zone
- Growth rate, shock loss, and maturation are all visible in the data
- The density reading at month 18 represents the permanent result
Combined tracking (SMP plus transplant)
Many patients use both. A common approach is transplanting the hairline and mid-scalp, then using SMP on the crown or to add the illusion of density between transplanted grafts. Tracking both:
- Transplant zones show increasing density over 18 months
- SMP zones show stable cosmetic coverage initially, then gradual fade
- The comparison between zones documents the permanence difference clearly
Cost Comparison by Norwood Stage
Understanding the financial investment helps frame the tracking comparison:
| Norwood Stage | Transplant Grafts | Transplant Cost (USA) | Transplant Cost (Turkey) | SMP Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N2 | 800 to 1,500 | $3,200 to $9,000 | $800 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| N3 | 1,500 to 2,200 | $6,000 to $13,200 | $1,500 to $4,400 | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| N4 | 2,500 to 3,500 | $10,000 to $21,000 | $2,500 to $7,000 | $2,500 to $4,500 |
| N5 | 3,000 to 4,500 | $12,000 to $27,000 | $3,000 to $9,000 | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| N6 | 4,000 to 6,000 | $16,000 to $36,000 | $4,000 to $12,000 | $3,500 to $5,000 |
| N7 | 5,500 to 7,500 | $22,000 to $45,000 | $5,500 to $15,000 | $3,500 to $5,000 |
SMP costs remain relatively flat regardless of Norwood stage because the procedure is not limited by donor supply. Transplant costs scale directly with graft count.
Setting Up a Comparative Tracking Plan
If you are considering both options, or if you have already received one or both treatments, here is how to structure your tracking:
For SMP-only patients
Objective: Document pigment retention over time
- Scan before your first SMP session (baseline native density)
- Photograph after each session (visual coverage documentation)
- Scan monthly for the first 6 months to establish the post-treatment visual baseline
- Scan every 3 months after that to track pigment fade
- Compare visual photos over time to identify when touch-ups become necessary
Key metric: Visual coverage retention percentage. When your photos show a noticeable decline from the post-treatment appearance, it is time for a touch-up session.
For transplant-only patients
Objective: Document follicular density growth
- Scan before surgery (pre-op density baseline)
- Scan weekly during shock loss phase (weeks 1 to 8)
- Scan biweekly during regrowth (months 3 to 12)
- Scan monthly during maturation (months 12 to 18)
- Compare zone density at month 18 against pre-op targets
Key metric: Follicular density (FU/cm2) per zone at month 12 and 18.
For patients combining SMP and transplant
Objective: Document both follicular density and cosmetic coverage
- Baseline scan before any treatment
- Track transplant zones on the standard 18-month schedule
- Document SMP sessions with before/after photos
- Label zones clearly: "transplant only," "SMP only," "SMP plus transplant"
- Compare all zone types at 6-month intervals
Key metric: Side-by-side density readings (transplant zones) versus visual coverage (SMP zones) over time.
Long-Term Permanence Data
Your tracking data over 2 to 5 years will document the permanence difference between SMP and transplants clearly:
Year 1: Both approaches look good. SMP satisfaction is 95%. Transplant maturation is reaching its peak.
Year 2: Transplant density remains stable (permanent grafts do not fade). SMP begins showing early fade, typically 10% to 15% pigment reduction.
Year 3 to 5: Transplant density holds steady assuming no new pattern hair loss in surrounding areas. SMP has faded 20% to 30% and typically needs a touch-up session.
Tracking across multiple years provides objective documentation that subjective memory cannot replicate. Photos from year 1 compared to year 3 reveal fade patterns that day-to-day observation misses.
When to Choose Each Option
Your tracking data and personal factors determine which approach is best:
Choose SMP when:
- Donor density is insufficient for transplantation (below the safe extraction limit of 45%)
- You prefer a buzzed/shaved look
- Norwood 6 or 7 with limited donor supply
- Budget constraints make transplantation inaccessible
- You want immediate results without surgical recovery
Choose transplant when:
- You want real, growing hair that can be styled at any length
- Donor density supports the needed graft count
- You are willing to wait 12 to 18 months for final results
- You prefer a permanent solution without ongoing maintenance
- Your Norwood stage and donor supply are compatible
Choose both when:
- Transplant alone leaves visible gaps between grafts
- Crown density goals exceed what donor supply can achieve
- You want maximum cosmetic density with the naturalness of real hair at the hairline
Adjunct Treatments for Either Approach
Regardless of which procedure you choose, medical treatments can support your results:
- Finasteride (1mg daily): Halts further loss in 80% to 90% of users, regrowth in 65%. Side effects in 2% to 4%. Protects native hair around both SMP and transplant zones.
- Minoxidil (5% topical): 40% to 60% moderate regrowth. Supports native hair density and may boost transplant zone growth.
- PRP ($500 to $2,000/session): 30% to 40% density increase. Can improve graft survival when used alongside transplantation.
None of these treatments affect SMP pigment directly, but they protect the native hair that surrounds and interacts with both SMP and transplant zones.
Start Your Comparison Tracking
Whether you are evaluating your options or already recovering from a procedure, density tracking provides the objective data you need. Visit myhairline.ai/analyze to scan your current state and begin building your comparison record.
For detailed SMP documentation, see our scalp micropigmentation documentation guide. For transplant-specific tracking, use the hair transplant progress tracker.