How Realistic Does SMP Look?

SMP does not always look realistic up close and in-person. Some inks will create a bluish-green discoloration due to how light rays bend beneath the skin and interact with the tattoo particles. SMP will not look natural at all when used to fill in receded temples and hairlines. As an example, here is a patient who came to our office at the Dr.U Clinic in Los Angeles because he made this very mistake. We performed Follicular Unit Extraction to harvest grafts from his scalp and insert them into the tattooed areas. Now he has a fully restored scalp consisting entirely of his own hair.

A bad Scalp Micro Pigmentation SMP can make you look like Lego Man or helmet head.  Scalp Micro Pigmentation is a combination of art work and technical skill.  Not everybody doing SMP can pull off a realistic look.Just like not everybody doing FUE or hair transplant surgery can pull off a realistic look (good results).A bad SMP or FUE or hair transplant surgery is like herpes.  You'll carry it for life.

Scalp micro pigmentation is quite the popular option amongst patients with thinning hair and bald spots. When done by a well trained professional with good experience and the right equipment, it can mimic a hair follicle and look extremely realistic.
The realism can go up to the extent where patients at times get buzz cuts or shave completely to flaunt their new look with a "full" head of hair. This aesthetic procedure has drawn the attention of male patients rather than female, however, that being said, female patients can undergo scalp micro pigmentation as well
This semi-permanent procedure is also recommended to patients who are undergoing hair loss treatments and therapy as means to help them hide their empty spots while new hair is encouraged to grow.

If SMP is done well and by a talented artist, it will very natural and realistic. It is best on a shaved head and will match the natural look of a shaved head. 

It all depend on the technician. A good technician will create a natural hairline if its shaved head or add a balanced density work for thinning areas.