How Lighting Affects Your SMP Results: The Untold Truth About SMP
When considering scalp micropigmentation (SMP), most clients focus on how the results will look immediately after the procedure. While initial results are certainly important, the true mark of an experienced SMP artist lies in their understanding of how those results will look over time and across different lighting. It’s not just about how fresh and clean the SMP looks on day one or even week one—it’s about how SMP will look in 6, 12, and even 24 months down the road, whether in person or harsh lighting. This blog explores why finding an experienced SMP artist is crucial for achieving lasting, natural results.
My SMP Learning Curve: From Day One to Now
Embarking on my journey as an SMP artist, it took me years to fully grasp the importance of lighting in the final appearance of my work. In the first two years, I won a few SMP awards and was satisfied with my work, both immediately after final sessions as well as fully healed results—fresh, sharp, and perfectly aligned. But it wasn’t until I started working with famous clients and saw my work displayed on TV and under studio lighting that I realized the results weren’t the full story. The SMP looked great in person but often appeared harsh and unnatural under bright lights, making me reconsider my entire SMP approach.
The Impact of Different Lighting Scenarios
Color and Density: The Subtle Yet Crucial Differences
The real test of an SMP artist isn’t just their ability to perform a beautiful, natural-looking procedure; it’s their understanding of how those results will evolve over time.
Initially, every client comes in nervous, often requesting light, subtle results for fear of going too dark or too dense. However, after the first session, many clients start to feel more confident and may ask for darker, more pronounced results. An inexperienced artist might give in to these requests, focusing on the immediate gratification of a great-looking “Day 1 after photos” but this approach often leads to results that look overly dense or unnatural once under different lighting conditions.
A seasoned artist, on the other hand, knows that the key to lasting results is restraint and foresight. They understand color theory, hairline design, and, most importantly, where to draw the line on density for SMP to look its best, both in person, and under harsh lighting.
Sometimes, this means starting with a result that looks less dense from the outset but heals into a beautiful, natural 5 o’clock shadow look that stands the test of time and various lighting scenarios.
Experience Matters: The True Test of an SMP Artist
Through my experience of seeing many of my clients on camera, I’ve come to understand the fine line between achieving the perfect density and color in scalp micropigmentation (SMP). This understanding is something that only comes with years of experience.
In person, extreme density often looks stunning to the naked eye, which is why many artists opt for this look when showcasing their work. However, what may appear perfect on day one can often shift dramatically after the healing process. The 5pm shadow look that every artist should strive for is one that endures the test of time and maintains its natural appearance regardless of the lighting.
A seasoned artist will guide you towards results that may sacrifice immediate gratification but will ultimately deliver a timeless and flawless look in the near future.
Experience Is All About Tomorrows Results
Choosing the right SMP artist is about more than just liking their before-and-after photos. It’s about trusting someone who understands that the true art of SMP lies in creating results that look great not just today, but for years to come, and under all lighting conditions.
The experience and foresight of an artist are what ultimately make the difference between a good SMP result and a great one—one that looks natural in any light and stands the test of time.
