What Is Scalp Microblading? It Could Help Those With Hair Loss

You've probably heard of eyebrow microblading—a.k.a. the process of disguising tiny, over-plucked eyebrows with ultra-thin hairlike tattoos—but what about scalp microblading? It's the same technique, but applied to the hairline to fake the look of a full, lush head of hair. Wondering if it could work for you? We reached out to Ramon Padilla, the founder and creative director at EverTrue Microblading Salon in New York City, to get the answers to our most pressing questions (yes, including the all-important "is this going to hurt?").

What Exactly Is Scalp Microblading?

Similar to eyebrow microblading, scalp microblading involves scratching the surface of the skin to embed pigments, which is essentially just like getting a tattoo. However, because microblading is very thin and penetrates just the upper layers of skin, it generally doesn't last as long as your typical tattoo. How long does it last? The results can vary, but generally between six to 18 months, depending upon pigment color, skin type, and lifestyle. Although it technically isn't permanent, if you've heard the term "permanent makeup" tossed around recently, microblading falls under this category.

Who Is Hairline Microblading Best Suited For?

"The results for hairline microblading look best on clients who have some existing hair," says Padilla. "The microbladed strokes extend the existing hairline or add an illusion of depth to thinning hair. With proper color matching, the hair strokes created through microblading blend in seamlessly, creating a lush, thick appearance. Microblading results are less successful if the client has large bald spots, as in those areas, the effect is more two-dimensional." So if you have mild thinning or want to even out your hairline so you can rock a ponytail with pride, you could be the perfect candidate for microblading.

Is the Process Painful?

"The hairline is numbed beforehand, and given the thickness of the skin at the treatment area, it is virtually painless," explains Padilla. "To replicate hair, the microbladed strokes are created very lightly, barely penetrating the skin, and so there is no downtime/recovery period."

Okay, Is There Really No Recovery Period?

"We do request clients to not wash the treatment area for a week following treatment, for best color retention results." The EverTrue Salon also provides a healing cream for clients to apply twice a day for seven days following the treatment. As the skin heals, the pigment will start to fade, and there may be some initial redness or swelling.

How Popular Is Scalp Microblading?

"We introduced our Hairline Rescue treatment last year, and I was surprised that it's become the second most requested treatment after brows," says Padilla. Many of the clients are in their 50s and 60s experiencing hair thinning, while those in their 30s and 40s are also now using microblading to help with problem spots or hairline peak before it becomes obvious. For those dealing with only a couple small problem areas, microblading may be just the solution you're looking for.