SMP aftercare: questions to settle before your appointment

SMP aftercare should begin with clear instructions from the person responsible for your treatment. General information can help you prepare questions, but it cannot establish when your particular scalp is ready for washing, exercise, products or sun exposure.

Cleveland Clinic identifies water exposure, heavy exercise, heat, sweating and sun exposure as aftercare topics to discuss with a provider. [1] That does not establish a universal timetable. Before treatment, ask for written instructions that explain what to avoid, when to restart your usual activities and whom to contact if something does not seem right.

Use this checklist when you discuss your plan:

• When may I wash my scalp, and which products should I use or avoid?
• How should I plan around exercise, sweating, swimming and hot environments?
• What protection is appropriate outside, and when may I use it?
• What changes should prompt a call to the studio, and what needs medical attention?
• Do the instructions change between visits or if my skin reacts unexpectedly?

Do not treat significant symptoms as a routine part of cosmetic aftercare. Cleveland Clinic advises contacting a healthcare provider for possible infection signs such as fever, drainage, severe pain or redness, or swelling. [1] A studio follow-up is not a substitute for medical assessment.

For HairDot-specific instructions, call (747) 267-8048 or contact the studio. This article does not set HairDot's healing timetable, approve products or promise recovery by a particular day.