THe Upgrade Department
The Process.
Wondering what to expect? Here's a cheat sheet from timeline to aftercare for scalp SMP with The Upgrade Department.
The Timeline.
Step 01
Consultation
We assess your scalp, skin tone, hair loss pattern, and goals together. You leave with a specific plan — which service, how many sessions, what the result will look like, and what it costs. No pressure, no obligation.
Step 02
Session One
First pigment is laid in — lighter than the final result intentionally. We establish the hairline shape, density pattern, and overall design. This session sets the foundation everything else builds on.
The scalp needs time to heal and the pigment to settle. Some lightening and flaking is normal — this is part of the process, not a problem. The full effect of each session only becomes clear once healed.
Healing
2-3 weeks between sessions
Density is built up. Pigment is deepened where needed. We refine the hairline shape and address any areas that didn’t retain fully in session one. The result starts to come into focus.
Step 03
Session Two
Same aftercare protocol. The result continues to develop. By now most clients are seeing the transformation clearly.
Healing
2-3 weeks between sessions
Session Three
Final depth, detail, and refinement. Hair-on cases often require a fourth session after this — we’ll know by now whether that applies. For stubble cases, this is typically where the work is complete.
Step 04
Same aftercare protocol. The result continues to develop. By now most clients are seeing the transformation clearly.
Healing
Aftercare
Hair-on density work covering larger areas typically requires a fourth full session. A final touch-up (fifth visit) is sometimes recommended once the work has fully healed and settled — at our discretion, based on the result.
Step 05
Session Four + Touch-Up
Once fully healed, the result is permanent — lasting 3–5 years before a refresh touch-up is worthwhile. The work is yours. It doesn’t disappear, it doesn’t require maintenance beyond SPF and moisturizer, and it reads as nothing other than your hair.
Results
The Final Result
Density Fill (hair-on) total timeline: 10–14 weeks start to finish.
Stubble Effect total timeline: 8–10 weeks.
We don’t rush the work — the result depends on it.
The Aftercare Timeline
All scalp SMP treatments are three sessions unless otherwise noted. Sessions run two to four hours depending on treatment area and hair length. Pricing is all-inclusive — no per-session billing, no surprise add-ons.
Days 1-4
Critical healing window
🚫 No washing the treated scalp area. Keep it dry.
🚫 No sweating. Skip the gym, sauna, hot yoga — anything that causes perspiration.
🚫 No direct sun on the scalp. Stay covered or indoors during peak hours.
🚫 No swimming — pool, ocean, or otherwise.
🚫 No touching, picking, or rubbing the treated area.
✓ Expect: redness for 24–48 hrs. Some tightness and dryness. The pigment will look darker than the final result — this is normal.
Days 5-10
Active healing
🚫 No harsh shampoos. Switch to a gentle, sulfate-free formula.
🚫 No exfoliants, retinoids, or acids on the scalp or hairline area.
🚫 No gym or heavy sweating until day 10. Swimming still off-limits.
🚫 Continued sun protection required — SPF every time you’re outside.
✓ Do: moisturize the scalp daily with the products from your kit. Gentle washing is fine from day 5 onward.
✓ Expect: mild flaking or peeling as the scalp sheds. Do not pick. The pigment underneath is still settling.
Days 10-28
Settling & assessment
✓ You can return to normal activity from day 10 — gym, moderate sweating, your regular routine.
✓ Swimming is fine once the scalp has fully closed and healed — typically around week 3.
✓ SPF remains essential — not just for healing, but as a permanent habit. Sun exposure is the primary cause of premature fading.
✓ Expect: the pigment to look lighter than right after the session. This is correct — the final color only reveals itself once fully healed. Your next session builds from here.
Long term
Protecting your result
☀️ SPF daily. The single most important thing you can do to preserve the result long-term.
💧 Moisturize daily. Healthy, hydrated skin retains pigment better and keeps the result looking sharp.
📅 Plan for a refresh. SMP lasts 3–5 years. A single touch-up session every few years keeps the result looking exactly as intended.
✓ Expect: second glances…. for the right reasons!
What people ask before they book.
When done well, yes. The key is dimension — varying pigment depth, color tone, and needle type across sessions to replicate the natural irregularity of real follicles. A single flat color applied uniformly does not look natural. That's not what we do.
Not here. Close-cropped and shaved clients are welcome and make up a significant part of our work. But for clients wanting density or hairline work while keeping their hair, we specialize in exactly that. Most studios require a shave even for density treatments. We don't.
SMP works across all skin tones. Pigment selection is customized to your specific complexion and natural hair color at the consultation — we're matching your follicles, not applying a standard color.
The work is permanent, but pigment can soften over time — typically 4–6 years before a touch-up becomes relevant, depending on skin type, sun exposure, and aftercare. SPF on the scalp is non-negotiable, which is one reason we include it in every visit.
Minimal. The scalp will be slightly sensitive for a few days post-session. No showering (at least from the neck up) for four days and no swimming, heavy sweating, or direct sun on the treated area for 7-10 days. Most clients return to normal activity the following day.
Yes, via laser — the same process used for tattoo removal. It's not instant and it's not free, but it is possible. We'd rather have that conversation honestly than pretend it's irreversible. It's also why the consultation exists — to make sure you're certain before we start.
Now you know the plan, let's get to know you.
Consultation is $50, applicable toward your first treatment.