Countdown to the chair
Scalp micropigmentationPre-care instructions.
Arrive ready. A clear countdown for preparing your scalp before your SMP appointment.
Your personal instructions from SCALPS or your medical provider always come first.
Choose where you are today
Your appointment countdown.
Only the instructions for your selected stage stay open, so the timelines never blur together.
Ten days before your appointment
Build a clean, hydrated base.
MoisturizeApply moisturizer two to three times each day.
Exfoliate gentlyExfoliate every other day, not aggressively.
Stay hydratedDrink water regularly during the week before treatment.
The day before your appointment
Prepare the treatment surface.
Choose the right hair lengthShaved look—about 80% of clients: buzz the scalp the day before, usually to a #00 unless SCALPS gave you a different length. Keeping your hair longer for a density treatment—about 20%: density SMP adds the look of fullness between existing hairs, so keep your hair at the planned treatment length and do not buzz unless instructed. Never use a razor.
Wash gently, then moisturizeUse a natural shampoo or baby shampoo, then moisturize. Standard shampoos may contain ingredients that dry or irritate the scalp, so keep the wash gentle.
Leave products offNo concealer, fibers, hairspray, minoxidil, or other topical hair products.
Watch for the appointment confirmation message from SCALPS.
On the day of your appointment
Arrive clean, fed, and on time.
Rinse with waterWash the scalp with water only—no soap, shampoo, or styling products.
Eat and drinkHave food and water before you arrive.
Arrive on timeLate arrival may require rescheduling to protect the next client's appointment.
Do not consume alcohol or recreational drugs before treatment.
The haircut instruction is not the same for everyone
Prepare for your treatment.
Choose the path that matches your planned procedure. If SCALPS gave you a different length or preparation instruction, use that instruction.
Shaved or bald treatment
Buzz the day before. Do not razor-shave.
Use a buzzer or foil shaver. The current page recommends a #00 length unless your practitioner gave you a different instruction.
Male or female density treatment
Keep your hair at the agreed length.
Cut to your desired treatment-day length only if needed. Do not buzz a density area unless SCALPS specifically instructed you to.
Suggested preparation tools
Your scalp-prep kit.
Three practical tools for hydrating, gently exfoliating, and preparing the correct hair length.
Skull shaver
After researching and comparing many skull shavers, this is the best one we found: multiple shaving heads, easy cleaning, and a fully detachable shaving face.
Buy the shaverProduct links open a third-party retailer. Confirm substitutions or skin sensitivities with SCALPS before use.
Medication and topical products
Do not guess with medication.
Do not stop or change a prescribed medication based only on a webpage. Confirm questions about minoxidil, finasteride, Propecia, Rogaine, blood thinners, or pain medication with SCALPS and the clinician who prescribed it.
What is clear for treatment dayArrive with no hair concealer, fibers, hairspray, minoxidil, or other topical scalp products.
Final check before you leave
Ready for the chair.
Tap each item as you finish it. This checklist stays only on this page and does not send information anywhere.
Still unsure?
Ask before you improvise.
Your personal SCALPS instructions take priority over this general guide.