HOW TO REDUCE SHINE FROM YOUR HEAD AFTER SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION
After your Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) treatment, the best method to keep the treatment looking as natural as possible is to:
1. Keep your hair shaved down as low as possible
2. Reduce shine from your head after scalp micropigmentation
There are many different products to reduce shine from your head. I will mention some of the most important ingredients to avoid and what qualities to look for when purchasing a product.
Most importantly, avoid products that contain alcohol (which can damage or fade your SMP) or harsh chemicals because they can cause a stinging sensation after shaving. You also don’t want a super heavy, thick product that leaves a greasy feeling.
Instead, look for a product that contains natural ingredients, absorbs quickly, is lightweight, and of course, has a matte finish. These products might be labeled as anti-shine, anti-oil, matte or mattifying.
A few lotions are explicitly designed for Scalp Micropigmentation, but many over-the-counter creams will work just as well to reduce shine. Other artists or clients recommended the products I will mention. There are many more lotions not listed here only because I can’t try them all out, but at least this gives you a good idea. I reviewed products in different price ranges, and you can find these lotions either on Amazon or at Sephora stores. I also had some of my clients test them out to get a better overall review. Take into consideration that you must find what works best for you, your preference, and your specific skin type, as everyone is different.
One last thing your SMP artist mentioned for long-term care of your Scalp Micropigmentation was to use an SPF. You may apply an SPF along with your lotion of choice; remember that many SPF lotions cause a bit of shine, but skin protection is vital. There will always be a bit of shine no matter what product you use. The reason for this is because of the vellus hairs and sebaceous glands. Most of our skin is covered in tiny hairs called vellus hairs that give your skin a slightly velvety look. However, with male pattern baldness, the hair follicles shrink and turn into skin cells. This means there are no hairs at all, not even vellus hairs. The scalp also contains sebaceous glands that secrete oil. We have these glands all over our skin but in high quantity on the scalp.
1. FUSE- Cosmetic Pigmentation Serum
This lotion is lightweight and easily applied with no residue or greasy feeling on your fingers or scalp. You automatically see a difference, and the matte finish is nice! I like this lotion because the scent is faint, the cream itself is very thin, and a little goes a long way. The matte finish lasts about 5 hours before a “minimal shine” returns. Overall, I think this is a great product!
Rate: 4 out of 5
$27.95 – 4 oz ($6.99/oz) Amazon
2. Head Lube Matte
This lotion has a light cooling mint/menthol scent and goes on very quickly. As for shine control, the matte finish lasts only for a few hours. You can work around this by applying more mid-day. Overall, it’s not a bad product for the price; it just doesn’t last as well as the others.
Rate: 3.6 out of 5
$12.99 – 5 oz ($2.60/oz) Amazon
3. Peter Thomas Roth- Max Matte-SPF 45
This is an excellent lotion for shine control. It has a faint, pleasant sunscreen smell, and it is very lightweight. It does have that sunscreen feel when you first apply it. However, it dries nicely and gives a matte finish to your scalp for a few hours. It leaves your scalp feeling great, plus it was protected by SPF 45. The matte coverage was overall good, but you will find that you will need to reapply it again mid-day, which is also great if you are out in the sun. With that said- I would recommend this overall matte and SPF coverage for your scalp.
Rate: 4.5 out of 5
$34 – 1.7 oz ($20/oz) Sephora/Amazon
4. Make Up For Ever- Shine Control Step 1 Primer
This light fragrance primer gave immediate results with an instant noticeable matte finish. There was no shine under direct sunlight, and it lasted about 6 to 8 hours. It does have a slight tacky-gel feel when you first apply it, but it does dry fast and becomes lightweight. This would be the PERFECT primer to control any scalp shine! I would highly recommend this product!!
Rate: 5 out of 5
$37 – 1 oz Sephora
A side note is always to use shampoo when washing your scalp, not soap, because it will dry your skin out. Apply the lotion after shaving, and make sure to really rub it in and apply it on your forehead as well. A good moisturizing cream to use before bed is AVEENO, while the matting lotions can be used throughout the day. Some lotions matte don’t last all day, so you may need to reapply. Remember, a little bit of shine is acceptable. Hope this helps you find the right personalized product for you to help reduce the shine from your head after SMP treatment.
https://pureinksmp.com/services/smp-for-men/
Scalp Micropigmentation | Micropigmentación Capilar [San Diego]
Pictures provided by: Canva
