CONSULTATION GUIDE

What to Expect at Your SMP Consultation

March 15, 2022
7 min read
Gemini Inked Team

Your SMP consultation is the crucial first step toward your hair restoration journey. Whether you're visiting us in Birmingham, Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta, or any of our service areas, here's everything you need to know before your first appointment.

Happy senior practitioner woman and cheerful young African patient woman watching examination medical report on tablet computer, using digital technology, laughing

Booking your SMP consultation is exciting—but it's natural to feel a bit nervous about what to expect. Will you be pressured to commit? How long will it take? What questions should you ask? Understanding the consultation process helps you feel prepared and confident.

At Gemini Inked, our free consultations are designed to be informative, pressure-free, and personalized to your unique needs. Whether you're coming from Birmingham AL, Nashville TN, Atlanta GA, Memphis TN, Huntsville AL, Mobile AL, Montgomery AL, New Orleans LA, Jackson MS, or the Florida Panhandle, you'll receive the same thorough, professional assessment.

Here's a comprehensive guide to what happens during your SMP consultation and how to make the most of this important first meeting.

Quick Overview

Consultation Duration: 30-60 minutes
Cost: Completely FREE with no obligation
What to Bring: Photos of desired results (optional), list of questions, medical history notes
What You'll Get: Personalized assessment, treatment plan, accurate pricing quote

The Consultation Process: Step by Step

Here's exactly what happens from the moment you walk through our door

1

Welcome & Paperwork (5-10 minutes)

You'll be greeted warmly and asked to complete a brief intake form covering your medical history, hair loss history, medications, and any skin conditions. This helps us understand your situation and ensure SMP is safe and appropriate for you.

Pro Tip: If you've had previous SMP work, bring photos or documentation. This helps us plan the best approach for corrections or touch-ups.

2

Discussion of Your Goals (10-15 minutes)

We'll have a candid conversation about what bothers you most about your hair loss, what you hope to achieve, and what your ideal outcome looks like. This is your time to share concerns, ask questions, and be completely honest about your expectations.

  • What stage of hair loss are you experiencing?
  • What look are you trying to achieve?
  • Have you tried other hair loss treatments?
  • What's your lifestyle and maintenance preferences?
3

Scalp & Hair Assessment (10-15 minutes)

Christina or John will carefully examine your scalp, existing hair, skin type, and hair loss pattern. We'll assess factors like skin texture, elasticity, scarring, and pigmentation to determine the best approach for natural-looking results.

We'll Evaluate:

  • • Scalp condition and skin type
  • • Hair density and distribution
  • • Natural hairline shape
  • • Skin tone for pigment matching
  • • Any scars or irregularities

Photos Taken:

We'll take before photos from multiple angles for your records and treatment planning. These photos remain completely confidential unless you give permission to use them.

4

Education & Technique Explanation (10-15 minutes)

We'll explain how SMP works, show you before-and-after examples of similar cases, and walk you through our Hyperrealism Method. You'll understand exactly what the treatment involves, how many sessions you'll need, and what the healing process looks like.

We'll show you our portfolio of completed work, explain pigment selection, discuss the needle technique, and answer any technical questions you have. This is your chance to see the quality of our artistry and understand our process.

5

Custom Treatment Plan & Pricing (5-10 minutes)

Based on everything we've discussed and assessed, we'll create a personalized treatment plan outlining the number of sessions needed, expected timeline, and honest pricing with no hidden fees. We'll also discuss payment options and scheduling flexibility.

Session Schedule

Transparent Pricing

Payment Plans

6

Questions & Next Steps (5-10 minutes)

This is your opportunity to ask any remaining questions, voice concerns, or request clarification on anything. We'll never pressure you to book on the spot—you can take all the time you need to make your decision.

No Pressure Guarantee: Our goal is education and empowerment, not sales. If you need time to think, compare options, or discuss with family, we fully support that. Your consultation information remains valid, and you can reach out anytime.

Questions You Should Ask

Come prepared with these important questions to make the most informed decision

About Credentials & Experience

  • • How long have you been performing SMP?
  • • What certifications and training do you have?
  • • How many procedures have you completed?
  • • Can I see your portfolio of work?

About the Technique

  • • What technique do you use?
  • • How is the Hyperrealism Method different?
  • • What type of equipment and pigments?
  • • How do you customize for my skin type?

About the Process

  • • How many sessions will I need?
  • • How long is each session?
  • • What's the timeframe between sessions?
  • • What happens during each session?

About Aftercare & Healing

  • • What does aftercare involve?
  • • How long is the healing process?
  • • When can I return to normal activities?
  • • What products will I need?

About Longevity & Maintenance

  • • How long do results typically last?
  • • When will I need touch-ups?
  • • How much do touch-ups cost?
  • • What causes fading?

About Risks & Guarantees

  • • What are the potential risks or side effects?
  • • Do you offer any guarantees?
  • • What if I'm not happy with results?
  • • Can SMP be removed or corrected?
Waist up portrait of smiling African American doctor wearing lab coat and holding tablet while talking to senior patient during consultation in clinic, copy space

Remember: A Great Artist Welcomes Questions

Any reputable SMP practitioner should answer your questions thoroughly, honestly, and patiently. If someone seems rushed, dismissive, or defensive about your concerns, that's a red flag. At Gemini Inked, we encourage questions because an informed client is a confident, happy client. Whether you're coming from Birmingham, Nashville, Atlanta, or anywhere across our service area, you deserve transparency and respect.

How to Prepare for Your Consultation

Make the most of your appointment with these simple preparation tips

DO These Things

  • Wash your hair/scalp

    Come with clean hair and scalp so we can properly assess your skin and hair condition

  • Bring inspiration photos

    Pictures of hairlines, densities, or looks you admire help us understand your aesthetic goals

  • Make a list of questions

    Write down any concerns or questions beforehand so you don't forget anything important

  • Wear comfortable clothing

    You'll be relaxed and at ease, making it easier to focus on the consultation

  • Be honest about your medical history

    Full disclosure helps us determine if SMP is safe and appropriate for you

  • Arrive 10 minutes early

    Gives you time to complete paperwork and settle in without feeling rushed

DON'T Do These

  • Don't use hair products

    Avoid gels, sprays, or styling products on consultation day—clean, natural hair is best

  • Don't consume alcohol before

    Alcohol thins blood and can affect skin assessment accuracy

  • Don't get a sunburn

    Avoid sun exposure or tanning for at least 2 weeks before to see your true skin tone

  • Don't feel pressured to book

    Take your time to make the decision. A consultation is informational, not a commitment

  • Don't withhold concerns

    Speak up about any worries or fears—we're here to address them all

  • Don't skip the research

    Come with basic SMP knowledge so you can ask more informed, specific questions

What Happens After Your Consultation?

Take Time to Decide

Think about everything discussed. Compare options. Discuss with loved ones. There's no rush.

Reach Out Anytime

If more questions arise, contact us. We're happy to provide additional information or schedule a follow-up chat.

Book When Ready

When you're ready to move forward, we'll schedule your first session at a time that works for you.

Ready to Schedule Your Free Consultation?

Whether you're in Birmingham AL, Nashville TN, Memphis TN, Atlanta GA, Mobile AL, Montgomery AL, Huntsville AL, New Orleans LA, Jackson MS, or the Florida Panhandle—your journey to confidence starts with a simple conversation.

100% Free • No Obligation • Completely Confidential