Scalp Micropigmentation Christchurch
Dasha provides scalp micropigmentation and scar camouflage for the scalp at Aesthetica Clinic, 41c Raranga Street, Marshland, Christchurch. Scalp micropigmentation in Christchurch for men and women with thinning hair, hair loss or hair transplant scars. Usually three sessions, and a Health NZ subsidy may be available for eligible clients.
$700 - $1,500
$400 - $1,000
Your treatment course
The final price depends on the treatment area, hair loss pattern, required density and scar complexity. Book a consultation for an accurate quote, or send photos for an initial estimate, including the back of your head.
- Consultation & design: assess your scalp, agree on the hairline and pigment, and discuss funding eligibility.
- Three treatment sessions: usually spaced 10–14 days apart, building density gradually. Allow approximately 1–3 hours per session, depending on the area.
- Healing & aftercare: follow your personalised instructions between sessions.
- Complimentary review: within six months of the third session to assess the healed result and add pigment if needed.
All listed prices include GST.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING SUPPORT
Health NZ subsidy may be available
As with eligible eyebrow tattoo treatments, scalp micropigmentation may qualify for government funding when hair loss is caused by a qualifying medical condition, such as alopecia or cancer treatment.
Funding may cover part or all of the treatment cost. Coverage depends on eligibility, approval, available entitlement and the cost of your treatment course.
A current medical certificate from your GP or specialist is usually required. We provide supporting treatment documentation; clients submit their own applications. Eligibility and the application process are discussed during consultation.
YOUR SCALP MICROPIGMENTATION GUIDE
Explore your treatment
Scalp micropigmentation in Christchurch for men and women: create the appearance of fuller hair, a natural hairline or a closely shaved scalp, and camouflage FUE/FUT scars. SMP adds visual density; it does not regrow hair.
SMP FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers about funding, preparation, treatment and aftercare.
Do I need a consultation?
Every tattoo treatment includes a complimentary consultation as part of your appointment.
If you would like to book a separate consultation before deciding on or booking a treatment, the consultation fee is $50.
Want to learn more? Visit our blog section, where Dasha has prepared articles and video consultations covering many common questions.
If you would like to discuss your individual case or find out which treatment is suitable for you, please book a private consultation. Personal consultations are not provided by email, phone, or photos.
How can I pay?
If you are applying for Health NZ funding, you can make a single payment for the agreed treatment course on the day of your first treatment. The course usually includes three sessions spaced 10–14 days apart and a complimentary review within six months of the third session.
Otherwise, you may pay per session on the day of each treatment.
Payment options: EFTPOS, bank transfer, cash, credit card (2% fee) and Afterpay. All listed prices include GST.
Can I arrange a prepayment plan?
Prepayment plans are available. To secure your booking for an SMP treatment with Dasha, schedule your appointment, make a deposit, and then set up fortnightly or monthly direct bank transfers. Treatments can be booked up to three months in advance. The full cost of the SMP treatment must be settled by the first treatment day.
Can I get a quote for my insurer?
Do you need a quote for your insurance provider?
To obtain a quote, please book a consultation via our online booking system.
A formal document will be prepared by Dasha during your in-person consultation.
If you are unable to attend in person, Dasha will prepare the document during your scheduled online appointment and email it to you as a PDF.
Payment Options for Insurance-Covered Treatments Upfront Payment by Insurance An invoice will be issued for the scheduled treatment. Your insurance provider is expected to process payment in advance. If payment is not received by the appointment time, the session will be rescheduled.
Client Payment with Reimbursement You may pay for the treatment on the day of your session. An invoice will be provided so you can submit it to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
Can I Get a Consultation and Treatment on the Same Day?
How can I apply for an SMP subsidy?
Health NZ funding may be available for eligible medical hair loss. As with selected eyebrow tattoo treatments, SMP requests are assessed against the relevant funding criteria.
You may be eligible if you are a New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident in New Zealand and have hair loss caused by a qualifying medical condition, such as alopecia or cancer treatment.
A current medical certificate from your GP or specialist is usually required, confirming the medical cause and whether hair loss is temporary or permanent.
Funding may cover part or all of your treatment cost, depending on approval, available entitlement and the cost of the course. Any remaining balance is payable by the client.
We discuss eligibility at consultation and provide supporting treatment documentation. Clients submit their own applications; the funding authority makes the final decision.
Can SMP add density within my existing hairline?
This treatment works within your existing hairline to create the appearance of greater density and blend with your natural hair and temples. It can suit men and women with thinning hair.
Treatment process: usually three sessions spaced 10–14 days apart, followed by a complimentary review within six months of the third session.
Cost: the final quote depends on the treatment area, required density and session time. Please refer to the prices above and book a consultation for your personalised treatment quote.
Do I need time off after the SMP?
Immediately following the SMP treatment, the skin on your scalp will appear reddish, similar to a sunburn. This redness typically subsides within 2 to 10 hours. You can wear a cap or hat to cover it immediately after the session. As there is no pain or discomfort following the treatment, you won't need any recovery time.
What can I expect during healing?
Dasha, with over a decade of experience in cosmetic and medical tattooing, has crafted a unique technique for applying SMP, resulting in a virtually scab-free healing process for most clients.
They describe the healing as very easy, requiring no specific maintenance and causing minimal discomfort.
Even for those with dry skin types, only very slight flaking might occur, and even that is usually not noticeable.
What pigments are used for SMP?
For Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) treatments, we use specialized SMP pigment, which is different from regular tattoo ink. We utilize Follicule pigment (made in the USA) and Aurum pigment (made in the EU).
Follicule Black pigment, chemical composition: CI #77266, Glycerin, Aqua, Ethyl Alcohol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Thymol, Menthol.
Follicule Brown pigment, chemical composition: Glycerin, CI#77491, CI#77266, CI#11741, CI#12315, Ethyl Alcohol, Aqua, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Thymol, Menthol.
Aurum pigment, chemical composition: Water, PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, CI 77266.
When choosing the pigment and the shade of the color, we consider the client's skin tone and hair color to create a customized shade.
Over time, the pigment lightens (it doesn't change shade to blue like tattoo ink) and fades away over 3-6 years, leaving no residue on the skin.
If needed, the pigment can be lightened or removed with laser, and non-laser removal is also available.
Does Scalp Micropigmentation look natural?
Yes, scalp micropigmentation can look very natural, so much so that you might hear people ask, "Why have you shaved your hair?" The final result closely resembles a buzz cut.
However, it's important to maintain a short hair length for the remaining hair to ensure a seamless and natural appearance.
What hair length should I have for my SMP appointment?
It depends on your hair pattern. Here’s what we recommend:
For clients with receding hairlines or thinning hair (but still growing evenly across the scalp):
You can keep your hair any length or colour you like — as long as it grows relatively evenly across the scalp. In this case, SMP works to add density and create the illusion of fuller hair, especially under longer styles.
For clients with balding areas or horseshoe hair pattern (e.g., after hair transplant or full crown baldness):
SMP is designed to mimic the look of a super short buzz cut, so for it to look natural, the hair should be kept evenly short across the entire scalp.
If the sides or back are left longer while the top has flat pigment dots, the contrast can make the result look unnatural or “patchy.”
To get the most realistic blend, we recommend keeping your hair at 0–2mm length — just like in the photos of most SMP clients you see online.
This clean, even cut ensures your SMP blends seamlessly with your real hair, giving that crisp, sharp finish.
💡Not sure what length to come in with?
No stress — bring it short (around 0.5–1mm), and we’ll chat during your session to figure out the best approach for you.
How to choose the hairline for your Scalp Micropigmentation treatment
Dasha will personally advise you on the ideal hairline shape based on your unique facial features. While there are general guidelines for hairline design, she prioritizes customization for optimal results.
Before your SMP treatment, Dasha will present several potential hairline options to you for your consideration. This collaborative approach ensures you have a say in the final design.
Starting with a slightly higher hairline can be a safer option initially. If desired, Dasha can adjust it to a lower position during your follow-up session, providing you with more control and flexibility throughout the process.
How to choose the color for Scalp Micropigmentation treatment?
Dasha will choose a pigment that blends seamlessly with your existing hair color based on your skin tone and natural hair color. This ensures a natural and undetectable appearance.
The pigment shade we choose for lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick 1-2) differs from what we can use for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick 5-6). To maintain a natural-looking SMP, we use a few different shades within a safe range to create a soft appearance. We cannot use dark pigment on light skin tones to achieve bold, black-looking dots, as the healed result would simply appear blue. During your consultation, Dasha will determine the best color selection for your skin.
Does Scalp Micropigmentation grow hair back?
How long does SMP last?
The longevity of SMP results varies from person to person. Here is a summary:
If you spend a lot of time at the gym or have an active lifestyle, your body's natural cleansing processes occur more quickly, causing your skin to shed pigment-containing cells faster.
Exposing your SMP to sunlight also fades the pigment, so using a quality SPF cream is important. The Heliocare range is a recommended SPF for SMP.
SMP tends to last longer on mature skin because all bodily processes, including metabolism and the skin's natural exfoliation, are slower.
Shaving the head with a razor can also cause the pigment to fade more quickly, as the skin's healing process after being cut can result in pigment loss in those areas. For Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), we recommend using soft head shavers. Rotary or foil shavers are the best machine types for achieving a close shave and a natural-looking scalp.
Scalp Micropigmentation at Dasha | Cosmetic & Medical Tattoo offers lasting results, typically enduring for 4-6 years. After this period, a touch-up might be necessary to maintain the appearance
Is there a warranty for Scalp Micropigmentation treatment?
Will I need maintenance treatments?
SMP requires touch-up treatments to maintain its crisp appearance. Consider scheduling a touch-up session within 2 to 3 years of your last treatment, depending on your desired outcome.
The cost of a touch-up session depends on the size of the treated area and usually requires only one session.
Is scalp micropigmentation painful?
To ensure your comfort, a strong medical-grade numbing cream can be applied before/during the session.
Can SMP be removed?
SMP can be lightened or removed with laser if needed, and non-laser removal is also available. If the color appears too cool or you wish to alter your hairline, it typically takes a few sessions to lighten or completely remove the pigment.