Is it better to do micropigmentation after a hair transplant so it's easier to visually place grafts?

Dear porterj89, Thank you for your question about scalp micropigmentation. You definitely want to wait until the scalp is healed after a hair transplant before you do any additional work. Because SMP is fairly superficial and tends to be .5 to .7 mm deep, it shouldn't disturb the transplant, but I prefer to wait until I see the growth from the transplant. If perform an SMP procedure prior to a transplant, it's a bit harder to work in the area - it can still be done - it's just more difficult. Thank you, Dr. Arocha

Doctors may have their own preference on when you should have SMP or hair transplant surgery.  There is no right or wrong time frame.  It is best to ask your doctor for their own preference and recommendation (based on your particular goals).

SMP can be done before or after transplant, and it depends on your goals.  If you are looking to see if SMP may camouflage your loss enough to not need a transplant, then it would make sense to do it before considering transplant and would still be practical to have a transplant later (SMP doesn’t place grafts, just pigment, and does not get in the way of future transplants). If you have already decided on a transplant and want to have SMP for added density or to camouflage possible scarring after surgery, then it makes more sense to do SMP after fully healing and seeing regrowth from the transplant. Good luck!

We usually suggest that the scalp micropigmentation gets done after the hair transplant is healed as the doctor can see just what is needed.