Scalp Micropigmentation Course
The Art of Hair Restoration: Mastering SMP Techniques
Scalp pigmentation is a popular hair loss treatment that’s non-invasive and long-lasting with semi-permanent results. It’s a growing industry that opens up a wealth of opportunities — and performing this treatment doesn’t require a medical background and many years of training.
Save your seat with a $250 deposit · financing available
What you’ll learn
Our scalp micropigmentation training course allows students to learn about the principles, protocols, and techniques in a scalp pigmentation treatment or SMP treatment. With this hair loss treatment, an SMP practitioner reduces the appearance of hair loss or thinning hair by mimicking hair follicles with pigments, like semi-permanent makeup. Scalp micropigmentation treatment has been in demand today as one of the solutions preferred by many patients experiencing hair loss or thinning hair.
- Module 1
Principles & Protocols
Learn the principles and protocols of a scalp pigmentation (SMP) treatment.
- Module 2
SMP Techniques
Reduce the appearance of hair loss or thinning hair by mimicking hair follicles with pigments.
- Module 3
Live Model Day
Work on a live model on your last day of class, supervised by an instructor.
Is this class right for you?
Performing this treatment doesn’t require a medical background and many years of training – all you need is to take our reliable SMP course.
No Medical Background
SMP doesn’t require a medical background or many years of training.
Growing Industry
A growing industry that opens up a wealth of opportunities involving a lucrative business.
In-Demand Service
One of the solutions preferred by many patients experiencing hair loss or thinning hair.
What a scalp micropigmentation artist must master
Scalp micropigmentation looks simple from across the room, but up close every dot has to read as a real hair follicle. These are the skills our SMP training focuses on, along with the people who tend to get the most from the course. If you are unsure whether it fits your plans, call us for a free phone consultation.
Natural hairline design
Drawing a soft, age-appropriate hairline that suits the face. A line that is too low or too sharp is the first thing people notice, so design comes before any pigment.
Impression size and spacing
Placing tiny impressions that mimic shaved follicles, varying size and density so the scalp reads as hair, not a pattern of dots.
Depth and pigment control
Keeping each impression at a consistent, shallow depth and choosing a shade that suits the client's hair and skin tone, so results stay crisp as they heal.
Consultation and expectations
Assessing the scalp, spotting when to refer a client to a doctor first, and explaining that results typically last 3 to 5 years and need occasional refreshing.
PMU and tattoo artists
If you already work with needles and pigment, SMP adds a higher-ticket service. At Elite, scalp treatments run $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the area treated.
Career changers and barbers
No medical background is required. Barbers and hair professionals already meet clients worried about thinning hair; you will still need county body art registration to practice.
Your starter kit
- 1Elite Machine
- 2Pigments
- 3Cartridges
- 4Booklet
- 5Ruler
- 6Practice Equipment
Three steps to enroll
- 1
Bloodborne Pathogen Certificate
Before training, you will need to take an online bloodborne pathogen training course to understand the fundamentals of how to work with blood and also get certified to practice in the state of California. The certificate is only valid for one year and needs to be renewed annually.
$29 · about 3 hours - 2
Reserve Your Seat
Leave a deposit of $250 to save your seat for your desired training date. You can also pay for the course in full or finance it.
$250 deposit - 3
Get Ready For Your New Career
Once you have placed your deposit, you will receive an email with the documents to send over before attending class, and we will register you with the Los Angeles health department.
$100 health dept. · renewed annually
Keep your certificate current. Your bloodborne pathogen certificate is valid for one year and must be renewed annually to practice as a Body Artist in California. Email it to [email protected] before your class.
Invest in your craft
- Deposit to save your seat$250
- Balance dueFirst day of class
- PaymentPay in full or finance
- LA health department registration+ $100
- Bloodborne pathogen course$29
Pay in full, finance, or reserve with a deposit.
Reserve with $250
Hold your seat for your desired training date. If you’re not financing, the balance is due on the first day of class.
Financing & financial aid
Finance your training or explore Credee, EDD and WIOA options for students who qualify →
Learn from Grand Master instructors
Elite is the first microblading and permanent makeup college approved by the State of California. Train with Grand Master Mahnaz Bahaelou and the instructors behind LA’s renowned PMU studio — and keep working from our licensed salon after you graduate.
Before you register
What are the requirements before taking the course?
You will need to complete an online Blood Borne Pathogen Training for Los Angeles County. You will need to be certified by the Los Angeles Health Department as a Body Art Practitioner in order to legally work on a model.
We can register you with the health department for an additional charge of $100, just make sure to email us your blood-borne certificate prior to attending the training.
Will I receive a kit?
Yes, you will get all the required practice equipment for the course along with a scalp micropigmentation kit that includes a machine, pigments and other accessories.
Will I work on a model?
Yes! You can choose to bring in your own live model or we can provide you with one live model for $250. You will work on your live model on your last day of class supervised by an instructor.
What if I am coming from out of state?
Not to worry, we have years of experience training students from all over the world. If you are coming from out of state, you will need to be registered as a body art practitioner in Los Angeles in order to work on the model provided in the course.
In addition, when returning home, you will need to get registered in your local county as a body art practitioner in order to legally work on your clients.
Do I need a license to perform scalp micropigmentation in California?
California treats SMP as body art under the Safe Body Art Act. Instead of a state cosmetology license, you register as a body art practitioner with the county or city health department where you work, renew every year, and work in a permitted body art facility.
Is there an official SMP certification in California?
There is no state SMP exam. Your course certificate shows you were trained; legally, what matters is your bloodborne pathogens certificate and your county body art practitioner registration.
Can I start taking SMP clients right after the course?
Yes, once you are registered with the health department in the county where you will work and you work from a permitted facility. Elite graduates can rent a chair in our licensed Los Angeles salon.
How much do clients pay for scalp micropigmentation?
Prices vary by studio and area treated. At Elite, SMP costs $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the area, with sessions of about 3 hours.
How much is the training?
The full cost of the training is $3,500, which can be financed or paid in full. A live model can be provided for an additional $250.
How do I pay?
You must leave a deposit of $250 in order to save your seat for your desired training date. You can also pay for the course in full or finance it with split payments. If you are not financing the course, the full balance will be due on the first day of class.
When is my balance due?
Your balance is due on the first day of class.
Ready to start Scalp Micropigmentation Course?
Reserve your seat with a $250 deposit, or talk to our team first about dates, requirements and financing.
