SMP Techniques & Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which needle configuration is most commonly used for SMP to replicate individual hair follicle dots?
- 3-round liner
- Single needle (1RL) (Correct answer)
- 7-magnum shader
- 5-flat shader
Correct answer: Single needle (1RL)
A single needle (1RL) creates the precise, small dots that mimic individual hair follicles in SMP.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of using a rotary machine over a coil machine in SMP?
- It delivers deeper pigment penetration
- It produces less vibration for more consistent dot placement (Correct answer)
- It requires no needle cartridges
- It works only with thicker pigments
Correct answer: It produces less vibration for more consistent dot placement
Rotary machines produce less vibration and noise, allowing more precise and consistent dot placement ideal for SMP.
Question 3: When performing SMP on a client with a grade 1 buzz cut, what dot size should the practitioner aim for?
- 1.5–2 mm
- 0.8–1.2 mm (Correct answer)
- 2–3 mm
- 0.3–0.5 mm
Correct answer: 0.8–1.2 mm
Dots between 0.8–1.2 mm closely replicate the cross-section of a shaved hair follicle at grade 1 length.
Question 4: What technique involves layering multiple sessions to gradually build pigment density in SMP?
- Saturation flooding
- Progressive layering (Correct answer)
- Single-pass saturation
- Blowout filling
Correct answer: Progressive layering
Progressive layering builds density across sessions, reducing the risk of over-saturation or unnatural appearance.
Question 5: Which cartridge needle tip geometry best prevents over-saturation when working on the hairline in SMP?
- Curved magnum
- Round shader
- Single round liner (1RL) (Correct answer)
- Flat liner
Correct answer: Single round liner (1RL)
The 1RL tip delivers the smallest ink deposit, minimizing over-saturation risk at the delicate hairline.
Question 6: What is the recommended machine voltage range for SMP when using a rotary pen?
- 1–2 volts
- 3–4 volts (Correct answer)
- 6–9 volts
- 10–12 volts
Correct answer: 3–4 volts
A voltage of 3–4 volts is standard for SMP rotary pens to achieve controlled, shallow pigment deposits.
Question 7: Which tool is used to measure and map hairline placement symmetrically before beginning an SMP procedure?
- Dermal spreader
- Caliper or ruler with facial proportion guides (Correct answer)
- Ink density gauge
- Skin pH meter
Correct answer: Caliper or ruler with facial proportion guides
Calipers and facial proportion rulers ensure the hairline is symmetrically mapped relative to facial features before SMP begins.
SMP Techniques & Tools 2
Which needle configuration is most commonly used for SMP to replicate individual hair follicle dots?