Whether it suits you
The question worth settling first is not whether micropigmentation works, but whether it addresses the thing that actually bothers you. It replicates the appearance of closely cropped hair. It does not grow hair and it does not slow loss, so if your priority is keeping what you have, that is a different conversation and probably a different route.
Where it does well: a receding hairline that you would rather define than disguise, an even shaved look across a scalp that has thinned unevenly, and diffuse thinning where reducing the contrast between scalp and hair makes a visible difference.
| Situation | Suitable | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full shaved look | Yes | The most predictable result of the three |
| Receding hairline | Yes | Rebuilds an edge appropriate to your age |
| Diffuse thinning | Usually | Density work reduces scalp-to-hair contrast |
| FUT donor scar | Often | Breaks up the line; scar texture may limit it |
| Active inflammation | Not yet | Settle the scalp condition first |
Assessed in person. Active scalp conditions and unstable loss both change the answer.
How the sessions work
Two to three sessions, seven to fourteen days apart, two to four hours each. The gap is not scheduling convenience — pigment lightens as it heals, and density is judged against the settled result rather than the fresh one. Building it in stages is how the result stays natural rather than heavy.
Being local means the gap can be exactly what the scalp needs. That is worth more than it sounds: the most common way this goes wrong elsewhere is compressing sessions to fit a trip.
Healing and aftercare
The scalp is usually pink for a day or two and can feel tight. Most protocols keep you out of pools, the ocean and saunas for around four days after each session, and away from anything that makes you sweat heavily.
In Perth the practical constraint is sun. Ultraviolet is the main driver of fading, and a summer of unprotected exposure will age a result faster than several years of ordinary wear. A hat for the first fortnight and sunscreen after that is not fussiness — it is the difference between a refresh in five years and one in two.
Longevity and fading
Pigment softens gradually rather than staying fixed. Most people have a refresh at some point, and planning for that from the beginning is more honest than treating it as permanent.
What affects cost
No price list, because the figure follows the work. What moves it: the area treated, how many sessions the result actually needs, whether scar tissue is involved, and whether you are after a full shaved look or added density through existing hair.
Questions
Can I get it done over consecutive days if I am short on time?
No, and being in Perth means you do not have to ask. Pigment needs to settle before the next pass is judged, so compressing the gap produces a result built on a misreading of the density.
How soon can I swim at Cottesloe?
Around four days after each session, and longer if the scalp still feels tender. Salt water and chlorine both interfere with healing pigment.
Will the WA sun fade it faster?
Yes, if it is unprotected. Ultraviolet is the main cause of fading, so a hat early on and sunscreen afterwards genuinely extends the interval between refreshes.
Do I need to shave my head first?
For a full shaved look, yes, and short stubble on the day is usually preferred. For density work through existing hair, no.
Is a consultation needed before booking?
Yes. Suitability depends on scalp condition, skin type and how stable the loss is, none of which can be judged from a photograph alone.
What if I am also considering a transplant?
Worth raising before either. The two are often combined, and sequencing matters — donor supply is finite and decisions made now constrain what is possible later.