SMP requires 2 to 3 sessions spaced 7 to 14 days apart, and you can travel the same day as each session. The total cost ranges from $1,500 to $4,000, and the results last 3 to 5 years before a touch-up is needed. This makes SMP one of the most travel-friendly cosmetic procedures available.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your SMP trips, from scheduling sessions to managing aftercare while traveling.
Understanding the SMP Session Schedule
Why Multiple Sessions Are Required
SMP is built up in layers across multiple appointments rather than completed in a single visit. Each session serves a specific purpose:
- Session 1: Establishes the foundational framework. The practitioner maps your hairline, sets the shape, and applies the first layer of pigment at a lighter shade. This session typically takes 3 to 4 hours.
- Session 2: Adds density and depth. The practitioner evaluates how the first layer healed, adjusts the pigment shade if needed, and fills in additional dots to create a more natural appearance. This session runs 2 to 3 hours.
- Session 3 (if needed): Fine-tuning. Some clients need a third session to add density in specific areas, blend edges, or adjust overall darkness. This session usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
Optimal Spacing Between Sessions
The recommended gap between sessions is 7 to 14 days, with 10 days being the most common recommendation. During this healing period:
- The pigment oxidizes and settles into its true color (days 1 through 5)
- Scabbing forms and falls away naturally (days 3 through 7)
- The final shade becomes visible (days 7 through 10)
Your practitioner needs to see the healed result before layering more pigment. Booking sessions too close together risks over-darkening, while spacing them too far apart simply delays your final result without any added benefit.
Planning Your Travel
Trip Structure Options
Depending on your distance from the clinic and schedule flexibility, you have several options for structuring your SMP travel:
| Approach | Trips Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Separate day trips | 2-3 | Patients within 2-hour flight |
| Extended single stay | 1 | Patients willing to stay 14-21 days |
| Hybrid (extended first trip, day trip follow-up) | 2 | Patients who can take initial time off |
Day trip approach: Fly in the morning, complete your session (2-4 hours), and fly home the same evening. This works well for patients within a short flight of their clinic.
Extended stay approach: Stay at or near the clinic location for the entire treatment period (14-21 days). This eliminates multiple flights but requires a longer commitment of time away from home.
Hybrid approach: Stay for 10 to 14 days to complete sessions 1 and 2, then return home and come back for session 3 as a day trip two weeks later.
Booking Flights and Accommodation
When booking travel for SMP:
- Flights: Book refundable or changeable tickets when possible. If your practitioner sees that your skin needs more healing time between sessions, you may need to adjust your schedule by a few days.
- Hotels: Choose accommodation within 15 to 20 minutes of your clinic. You do not need to rest in bed after a session, but avoiding a long commute on treatment day is convenient.
- Ground transport: Ride services work fine for SMP. Unlike hair transplant patients, you will not have bandages, heavy swelling, or visible wounds that make public settings uncomfortable.
Cost of Travel vs. Local Options
SMP pricing varies significantly by location. For a full treatment of 2 to 3 sessions:
| Location Type | Treatment Cost | Typical Travel Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local practitioner | $1,500-$4,000 | $0 | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Top-tier practitioner (travel required) | $2,000-$4,000 | $500-$1,500 | $2,500-$5,500 |
| Budget SMP destination | $800-$1,500 | $300-$800 | $1,100-$2,300 |
Traveling to a highly experienced practitioner often produces better results than choosing a less experienced local option. SMP quality depends heavily on the artist's skill, and the best practitioners have years of experience and extensive portfolios. Check our SMP cost breakdown for detailed pricing by region.
Same-Day Travel: What Makes SMP Different
Why You Can Fly Immediately
Unlike hair transplant surgery, SMP does not involve:
- Open wounds or surgical incisions
- Graft placement that could be dislodged
- General anesthesia or heavy sedation
- Significant swelling or bleeding
The pigment is deposited into the upper dermis using micro-needles. The treated area looks like a mild sunburn immediately after the session. You can wear a hat (loosely) and go about your day normally.
Post-Session Appearance While Traveling
Immediately after an SMP session, your scalp will have:
- Redness that resembles a sunburn (fades within 24-48 hours)
- Pigment that appears darker than the final result (lightens 20-30% as it heals)
- Tiny pinpoint dots visible up close but not noticeable from a normal conversation distance
Most people around you will not notice anything unusual. If you prefer discretion, a loose-fitting cap covers the treated area completely. Airlines and airports have no restrictions on freshly treated SMP.
Aftercare While Traveling
The First 4 Days
Post-session aftercare is straightforward and travel-compatible:
- Keep the area dry for 3 to 4 days. No swimming, saunas, or heavy sweating.
- Avoid direct sun exposure on the treated area. Wear a loose hat if outdoors.
- Do not touch, scratch, or pick at the treated area. Let scabs fall off naturally.
- Skip heavy exercise for 4 days to avoid excessive sweating.
- Apply moisturizer as directed by your practitioner, starting on day 4.
Travel-Specific Considerations
- Hotel showers: Avoid direct water pressure on the treated area for the first 3 days. A handheld showerhead attachment makes this easier.
- Climate differences: If traveling from a humid to a dry climate (or vice versa), your healing may vary slightly. Dry environments may cause more flaking, while humid environments can increase redness duration.
- Sun exposure: If your destination is sunny, bring a wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50 sunscreen for after the initial healing window (day 5 onward).
Planning a Touch-Up Trip
SMP results last 3 to 5 years before the pigment fades enough to warrant a touch-up. Touch-up sessions are single appointments lasting 1 to 2 hours, making them ideal for a simple day trip. Many patients schedule their touch-up during a work trip or vacation in the same city as their practitioner.
For a full overview of the SMP process, read our SMP overview guide.
Finding the Right Practitioner
When you are willing to travel, your pool of available practitioners expands significantly. Focus on:
- Portfolio depth: Look for healed results at 6 to 12 months, not just fresh post-session photos
- Specialization: Choose practitioners who focus primarily on SMP rather than offering it as an add-on service
- Skin tone experience: Ensure the practitioner has experience with your specific skin tone and hair color combination
- Client reviews: Read reviews from other traveling patients about the clinic's coordination and scheduling
Get Your Hair Loss Assessment
Not sure whether SMP is right for your level of hair loss? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai to get an AI-powered analysis of your hair loss pattern and personalized recommendations for treatment options, including SMP suitability.
FAQ
Can I fly the same day as an SMP session?
Yes, you can fly the same day as an SMP session. SMP is non-surgical and involves only surface-level pigment deposits into the upper dermis. There are no open wounds, stitches, or grafts that could be affected by cabin pressure or altitude changes. Many patients schedule morning sessions and take afternoon flights home without any complications.
How far apart should SMP sessions be spaced?
SMP sessions should be spaced 7 to 14 days apart. This gap allows the pigment from the previous session to heal, settle, and reveal its true shade before the practitioner adds more density or adjusts color in the next session. Most practitioners recommend 10 days between sessions as the ideal spacing.
How many trips do I need to make for SMP treatment?
Most SMP treatments require 2 to 3 sessions total, meaning 2 to 3 separate trips if you are traveling for treatment. Some patients with lighter hair loss may only need 2 sessions, while those covering larger areas like a full Norwood 6 or 7 pattern typically need 3 sessions. Each session lasts 2 to 4 hours depending on the area being treated.