Head Tattoo or Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP)? There Is a BIG Difference

Posted in: Expert SMP Advice

Scalp MicroPigmentation and Scalp Tattoo are not the same thing.  In fact, besides the one thing they have in common, they are actually opposites.

This is the only thing that is the same about SMP and tattoo: Both practices permanently embed pigment in the dermis (second layer of skin).

Beyond that, nothing is the same between the two practices. Below I will list just some of the dozens of differences between SMP and tattoo.

Key Differences:

1) Location, color and size of impressions

SMP is all about precision and uniformity in delivering thousands of minute follicle-sized impressions to the scalp. Tattoo is body art achieved by carving non-minute graphics, often multi-colored and brilliant, into the deep skin layers anywhere on the body.

2) Tattoo is art meant to draw attention; SMP should be undetectable

Great tattoo artists create stunning artwork, which is good, because tattoo is all about drawing attention. In most cases, tattoo is “peacocking”. A tattoo calls attention, and makes a non-verbal statement—using any desired part of the human body as the canvas.

Do you want your SMP procedure to call attention to the scalp? No!

When you are looking for a subtle, natural-looking hair replacement option, this is a vital distinction. Tattoo literally has the OPPOSITE intention of SMP. SMP, done properly is not ADORNMENT. It is an UNDETECTABLE illusion meant to keep the eyes of observers looking right past it and on to the facial features.

I have no problem with artistic expression or peacocking—I find it delightful! However, when people refer to SMP as “hair tattoo”, “scalp tattoo”, “or “head tattoo”, I cannot help but bristle.  As the expert in SMP, what I (and my company, BRAVI) do is the opposite of tattoo; I pride myself on producing a visual result that no one will NOTICE.

 3) Significant technical differences

Expert-level SMP equipment, needles, lasers, pigment, as well the prep and post-care products are significantly different from tattoo—I know, because I pioneered and refined these products and methods. By extension, the training, skills, and experience required to perform SMP successfully is totally different from that of a tattoo artist or permanent cosmetics provider.

4) Tattoo artists/permanent cosmetic technicians are not SMP experts

I am not a tattoo artist, and I am not a permanent makeup technician—I am an SMP expert. Because I am certified in all three fields, I can state with authority that they are completely different. Being a great tattoo artist or permanent makeup technician does not mean being qualified to perform SMP. I could write a book about the noticeably awful mistakes made by otherwise competent tattoo artists/permanent makeup technicians who attempt SMP without specialized training and years of experience.

Why is SMP mischaracterized as tattoo?

Two main reasons explain the mischaracterization of SMP as tattoo. First, the element in common between SMP and tattoo (permanent pigmentation in the skin) makes the two procedures seem the same at a superficial level. Lay audiences (including the media) are easily confused because of this.

The second reason is that there are many novice SMP practitioners out there who in their advertising and marketing are mischaracterizing SMP as tattoo. If you are considering SMP and see ads for “hair tattoo”, “scalp tattoo”, “or “head tattoo”, you should take my advice and RUN!

Bottom Line: Although non-experts typically confuse the two procedures…SMP done properly in most respects is the OPPOSITE of tattoo.

BRAVI: Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) Correction

This is “BRAVI: Scalp MicroPigmentation (SMP) Correction” by BRAVI Scalp MicroPigmentation on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who…


BRAVI SMP Expert Devon Sconci is the leader in Amanda Mazzocchi\s revolutionary scalp micropigmentation method.

Devon Sconci

Devon is the President of BRAVI and Master Technician in Amanda Mazzocchi's revolutionary Scalp MicroPigmentation method, which is available exclusively at her BRAVI clinic in Austin, Texas.

She is also passionate about how SMP can change lives.
Chat with her today to find out how SMP could change yours.