SMP Techniques & Tools 3

Question 1

What is 'dot migration' in SMP and what primarily causes it?

Accepted Answer

Dots spreading beyond their original size due to excessive depth or large needle gauge

Answer

Dot migration occurs when pigment is placed too deep or with too wide a needle, causing the dot to spread and blur.

Question 2

How should a practitioner adjust needle depth when working on thinner scalp skin, such as in the temporal region?

Accepted Answer

Decrease depth to avoid placing pigment in subcutaneous tissue

Answer

Thinner temporal skin requires shallower needle depth to keep pigment in the dermal layer and prevent migration.

Question 3

Which motion technique is used when placing SMP dots to avoid dragging pigment across the skin?

Accepted Answer

Straight stippling (perpendicular insertion)

Answer

Perpendicular stippling — pressing straight down and lifting — creates clean, isolated dots without dragging pigment.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the 'test dot' method performed at the start of an SMP session?

Accepted Answer

To assess how the client's skin accepts pigment before full application

Answer

Test dots placed in a discreet area reveal how the skin accepts and retains pigment before full coverage is applied.

Question 5

When creating an SMP hairline, which dot placement approach creates the most natural transition?

Accepted Answer

Irregular, sparse dots at the outer edge graduating to denser dots behind

Answer

Irregular, sparse dots at the hairline edge mimicking natural hair density variation create the most realistic appearance.

(SMP) Scalp Micropigmentation Certification Practice Test