Before and After: Rebuilding a Balding Hairline and Crown

The photos show his original hair loss, the result straight after the first session, how it looked once healed, and the improvement immediately after the second session.

You’ll notice that the hairline looks darker and slightly red in the freshly treated photos. That’s normal. The pigment softens as the skin heals and the redness goes away by next day.

Why He Chose Scalp Micropigmentation

When he first contacted me in June 2021, he had already done quite a bit of research.

He’d discovered scalp micropigmentation fairly recently, but unlike some clients who spend months or even years thinking about it, he was ready to get started.

He found ScalpMates through Google, read through the reviews and then checked out my Instagram page to see some of my previous SMP results.

He also contacted a few other clinics for quotes before deciding to book with me.

In the end, it was a combination of the results he’d seen and my affordable pricing that helped him make his decision.

His hair loss was quite advanced, around a Norwood 5–6. There was still some very thin hair on top, but his original hairline had pretty much disappeared, and the crown was completely bald.

He wasn’t looking for anything fancy. He simply wanted a natural-looking shaved head, with a hairline that suited his face and enough coverage across the top and crown to make everything look consistent.

Designing a Natural Hairline Without Making It Too Obvious

One thing I remember about this treatment was how relaxed he was about the hairline design.

Some clients come with reference photos, measurements and very specific ideas about where every little corner should sit.

Nothing wrong with that, of course!

But this gentleman simply asked for a soft, natural hairline and left the rest to me.

I drew the outline, showed him in the mirror, and he was perfectly happy with it.

The idea was to create a slightly softer edge rather than a very sharp, straight hairline. At his age, I felt this would look more natural, especially with the closely shaved hair on the sides.

I also wanted the pigmentation to blend nicely into the existing hair, rather than looking like a separate patch of colour sitting on top of his head.

That’s probably one of the most important things when doing a hair tattoo for someone with advanced baldness. It’s not just about filling the empty areas with dots. The whole head needs to look like it belongs together.

The First SMP Session: His Workmates Couldn’t Believe It

During the first session, I started rebuilding the hairline and adding pigmentation through the thinning top and bald crown.

We weren’t trying to achieve the final density in one go. The first session creates the foundation, and we can see how the pigment settles before adding more.

What made this client a little different was how open he was about having SMP.

Many of my clients prefer to keep their hair tattoo private, at least until the treatment is finished.

Not this chap!

He’d already told a few close workmates about it, and after the first session, he was happy to show them the results.

When he came back, he told me his mates were well impressed. They thought the result looked legitimate and were curious to see how it would develop after the next session.

I always enjoy hearing reactions like that, especially when the people looking at the result already know it’s a tattoo.

It’s one thing to create the illusion of shaved hair. It’s another when someone knows exactly what they’re looking at and still thinks it looks convincing.

Two Weeks Later: Building Up the Density

He returned approximately two weeks later for his second SMP session.

By this point, the first layer had healed and softened, giving me a much better idea of where more pigmentation was needed.

I added further density through the top, worked on the crown and refined the hairline to blend everything together.

You can see in the comparison photos (if you look at the dot density) that the scalp looks fuller, especially in the hairline corners area.

The crown, in particular, shows a noticeable difference compared with the original bald area. (scroll to top of the page for comparison photo)

It’s worth mentioning that these final photos were taken straight after the second treatment, so the pigment was still fresh and the skin slightly red. The finished, healed appearance would be softer.

He Was Happy After 2 Sessions. Did He Really Need a Third?

This is probably my favourite part of the story.

After the second treatment, he was so satisfied with the result that he decided not to continue with a third session.

Normally, I recommend three sessions for most full-head SMP treatments. This allows me to gradually build the density, refine the hairline and make any final adjustments after seeing how the previous layers have healed. You can read more about how our standard 3-session shaved process works.

But everyone’s expectations are different.

Some people want a very light, subtle result. Others prefer a fuller, slightly darker shaved-head appearance.

And occasionally, a client reaches the look they’re after sooner than expected.

I’m not going to insist on another appointment just because three sessions is my usual recommendation.

If you’re happy with the result, I’m happy too!

That said, I wouldn’t promise everyone with Norwood 5–6 hair loss that two sessions will be enough. Three sessions generally give us more opportunity to perfect the coverage and blending.

He seemed quite comfortable throughout the treatment and didn’t appear particularly nervous.

I’d describe his attitude as excited and confident. He knew what he wanted, had researched my previous work and trusted me to get on with it.

He rated the discomfort around 4 out of 10, which is quite manageable for most people.

There can be some redness and tenderness after a session, but he was able to return to work the following day.

Of course, everyone’s skin and pain tolerance are different, so your experience might not be exactly the same.

How Much Would This Hair Tattoo Cost in 2026?

For a similar treatment at my Birmingham studio, my current pricing would be:

If a third session is needed to complete the treatment properly, we’d discuss that as part of your individual quote.

I prefer to keep my prices straightforward, charging according to the amount of work involved rather than making everyone pay for the same package.

You can also have a look at my SMP prices in Birmingham for a better idea of what different treatments cost.

---

A Few Questions About This Result

Can scalp micropigmentation cover a completely bald crown?

Yes. SMP can create the appearance of closely shaved hair follicles in areas where the natural hair has disappeared.

In this case, the client had very little coverage left through the crown. By adding tiny pigment impressions and blending them into the surrounding shaved hair, I was able to make the area appear much fuller.

It’s important to understand that SMP doesn’t grow new hair. It’s an illusion of shaved hair, and the result depends on the treatment design, existing hair and how you maintain your shaved look.

Will a hairline tattoo look natural if I’m almost completely bald?

It certainly can, provided the hairline is designed to suit your face and the pigmentation is blended properly.

For this client, we chose a soft, natural hairline rather than a very sharp edge.

You can see more examples in my guide to scalp micropigmentation for shaved heads.

Does SMP look darker immediately after treatment?

Yes, and that’s something worth remembering when looking at before-and-after photos.

Fresh pigmentation generally appears darker and more noticeable. As the skin recovers, the appearance softens.

That’s why I like showing the different stages of a treatment rather than just the most impressive photo taken immediately afterwards.

Is two SMP sessions enough for a full head?

Sometimes, as this case demonstrates.

However, I normally recommend three sessions for a complete shaved-head treatment, particularly when there is extensive hair loss.

The goal isn’t to squeeze in as many sessions as possible. It’s to achieve a natural result that you’re happy with.

Travelling from West Bromwich for SMP in Birmingham

This gentleman travelled from West Bromwich to my ScalpMates studio in Birmingham.

He’d found me online and compared a few clinics before deciding that my previous work and prices were a good fit.

I regularly see clients from Birmingham and surrounding areas, and I’m always happy to discuss your hair loss and what sort of result might be realistic before you commit to anything.

Thinking About Getting Your Hairline Back?

If you’ve got a receding hairline, a balding crown or very little hair left on top, scalp micropigmentation might be worth considering.

Have a look through my other real client results to see different hairline styles, levels of hair loss and healed SMP treatments.

And if you’re unsure whether SMP would work for you, feel free to send me a few clear photos of your head. I’ll happily give you my opinion and an estimated price.

No pressure, no complicated sales talk. Just a chat about what we can realistically achieve.

Laurentiu Bradea a.k.a. Laur
ScalpMates Birmingham

About this case study: This treatment was carried out around June 2021. The photographs show genuine treatment stages, including the healed appearance after session one and the immediate result after session two. Long-term healed photographs following the second session are not currently available. Prices shown are equivalent 2026 treatment prices. Some non-treatment personal details may be generalised to protect client privacy.