Do Tattoos Stop Hair Growth? [Effects of Scalp Micropigmentation]

Tattoos are gaining more popularity despite being taboo. With the increasing trend of tattoos, people are becoming more conscious about the process of tattooing, its effects on skin and hair growth.


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Are you wondering about hair tattoos and their effects on hair follicles? Do you think your hair grows slowly after getting a hair tattoo?

Don’t worry, this post will help you to understand the technique of tattoo making and its potential effects on hair growth.

Do tattoos stop hair growth?

No, tattoos do not stop or reduce hair growth. The inks or pigments that are used to create a tattoo are FDA approved and are safe to inject into the skin or scalp. The needle of the tattoo maker does not go deeper where the hair follicles are located. So, having a tattoo cannot interfere with hair follicles and hair growth.

After tattooing, your skin comes to be a wound and takes some time to repair itself. Your hair growth may be delayed due to the healing period. You may have some problems if your skin is sensitive. You should take proper care of the tattooed skin to avoid skin infections or hair follicle damage.

Thus, when your skin is recovered, your hair will grow out with the same thickness and speed as it was present on your skin or scalp before tattooing.

Let’s probe into the article to know more!

Do Tattoos Stop Hair Growth

Your concern about tattooing is normal because the needle of a tattoo maker goes into the skin and hair follicles are also present there.

If you are opting for a hair tattoo, specific pigments and a different technique are used to create a tattoo on your head and it is equally safe as the process of scalp micro pigmentation or SMP.

While creating a tattoo the pricking of the needle will hurt only your skin to inject the ink. It will not hurt your hair tissues or follicles.

Let’s have a glance at the process of tattoo making.

Process of Tattoo Making

The process of creating a permanent tattoo involves the insertion of a pigment or ink through a needle that is pierced a thousand times into the upper layer of the skin.

You may think that the skin is punctured many times while tattooing, it could damage the hair follicles because the ink is deposited beneath the skin where hair follicles are located.

But this is not the case, the ink is inserted in the upper layer of the skin whereas the roots of hair follicles are positioned deeper in the skin.

Can Tattoos Affect Your Hair Follicles

Do you think that the needle and the ink used in the tattoo making can destroy your hair follicles and stop your hair growth?

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No, it can’t affect or kill your hair follicles. The ink used in tattooing is mostly FDA approved and is quite safe for your skin and hair whereas the needle is sterilized and is for one-time use only.

Hair tattooing done carefully by an expert would not damage your hair follicles. The ink or pigments used in this process don’t reach the level of hair follicles and bring no harm to the roots of hair follicles.

While making a tattoo the continuous piercing of the needle can hurt or inflame your skin. Your wounded skin requires healing or soothing cream to get cured.

When your skin is healed up, your hair will not grow out immediately, it will take some time to bring back to the normal hair growth cycle.

What is Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP) or a Hair Tattoo: Can Hair Tattoos Stop Hair Growth

Scalp micro pigmentation or hair tattoo is a new technique used to cover receding hairlines or baldness by giving the appearance of growing hair or a soft buzz haircut. It is a permanent, less costly, and feigned solution for hair loss in men.

In SMP, microneedles are used to inject a small amount of special pigment into the upper two layers of the dermis at the depth of 2mm, whereas hair follicles are located 4mm deep into the skin.

The SMP does not affect the hair follicles and hair growth as well because neither the microneedles nor the ink can reach or damage your hair follicles. Your hair will grow with the previous speed after getting a hair tattoo.

Adverse Effects of Shaving Hair Before Tattooing

Are you worried about pimples and ingrown hair after tattooing?

The procedure of tattooing requires clean and buzz-free skin to paste stencil or to work precisely. Tattoo artists wax or shave the area to make it clear before starting their work.

While making a tattoo the needle can accidentally push the shaven hair down in your skin which may result in ingrown hair or pimples. Hence, ingrown hair can also be caused by dry shaving.

Ingrown hair rolls back in the skin and does not come out, causing inflammation or swollen bumps. If it happens, you should avoid scratching and applying harsh creams on the inflamed skin.

Does Hair Grow Slowly After a Hair Tattoo

Do you have concerns about your hair growth after having a hair tattoo?

Having a tattoo would not obstruct your hair growth. Each hair follicle has its growth cycle, hair grows out, passes through different stages, and then falls out. All of your scalp hair does not grow and fall simultaneously.

If you feel that your hair grows slowly after a hair tattoo, it is not the tattooing, perhaps your hair follicle is passing through the catagen phase.

Thus, it is the hair growth cycles that inhibit your hair growth. But your treated skin will also take some time to get repaired then your hair will start growing with an average hair growth rate.

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Can Hair Tattoos Cause Folliculitis and Permanent Hair Loss

Folliculitis is the infection in the hair follicle caused by bacteria or fungus. Mostly folliculitis is not severe and gets healed after some time just like razor bumps. While tattooing your skin gets damaged and becomes sensitive. It may result in irritation, swelling, or itching on the inflamed skin.

In case of severe folliculitis, if it is left untreated your hair follicles get damaged and result in permanent hair loss. However, this hair loss is not caused by a hair tattoo but due to a lack of proper care and treatment.

After shaving, your scalp needs proper care to avoid inflammation, pimples, and razor bumps. Don’t scratch or pinch your irritated skin as it can cause infection or other skin issues.

Will Your Hair Grow Back After the Removal Of Hair Tattoo

Do you want the removal of your hair tattoo but are worried about the regrowth of your hair?

You might be thinking that your hair will grow back to its normal after the removal of the hair tattoo.

Tattoo removal is mostly done by laser and it works only to remove ink in the skin. Normally it does not affect the hair follicles. But in some cases, people complain of hair thinning, reduced hair growth, or hair loss problems after the removal of a hair tattoo.

There is a possibility of minimal hair damage, temporary hair loss, or slow hair growth but it would be recovered as soon as the treated skin is cured.

Most Asking Questions

Do tattoos inhibit hair growth?

No, tattoos do not affect hair growth. The ink used to make a tattoo is inserted in the upper layer of the skin. Whereas the roots of hair follicles are present deep down in the skin. There is no evidence that tattooing can impede hair growth.

Will my hair grow back after removing a hair tattoo?

Yes, your hair will grow back again after removing a hair tattoo. At first, your skin will take time to heal itself so your hair will grow at a slow speed. When your skin gets fully recovered, your hair will grow back to normal.

Do tattoos damage scalp hair follicles?

No, tattoos don’t affect hair follicles. Special pigments are used for a hair tattoo, the microneedles used for a hair tattoo or SMP work on the dermis level and do not reach the level of hair follicles. So, tattooing would not damage or affect hair follicles if it is properly done by an expert.

Closing Thoughts

Normally, getting a tattoo on your skin or scalp is not a matter of concern because it cannot affect your hair follicles. Tattoos bring no harm to your hair and can’t stop the growth of your hair if it is done by an expert.

People with thick hair often shave or wax their hair to make their tattoos more visible. Thus, your hair will also grow back with the same density and speed as it was before getting a tattoo.

If you follow a proper caring routine of your skin after getting a tattoo, you can avoid skin and hair folliculitis infections that may affect your hair growth.