Gangnam scalp micropigmentation for M-shaped hairline: Doteurak

Why My M-Shaped Hairline Bothered Me

Whenever I took photos or tied my hair up, the part that quietly kept bothering me was my M-shaped hairline at the sides🥹 It looked fine when I wore my hair down, but whenever I swept back or tied up the sides, both hairlines looked so sparse that it stressed me out....

This time, after looking into several places, I tried scalp micropigmentation (SMP) at Doteurak. I have completed only the first of three sessions so far, but I am already happier with it than I expected, so I’m going to write down the whole process in detail!

Doteurak Location and Visit

It is on the fourth floor at 12 Eonju-ro 172-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and is open from 10:00 to 20:00. It is regularly closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Doteurak was also listed as DOTRAK on the building directory, so it was easy to find even on my first visit.

Actually, I had received a similar treatment somewhere else before, and it was seriously... among the most painful experiences of my life hahaha. It felt like being scratched one stroke at a time with a knife, so pain was what I worried about most this time too.. But honestly, it didn’t hurt at all—and I didn’t even use anesthetic!!!

Based on what I was told, Doteurak has provided SMP treatments and training since 2019, with Global SMP World Master certification, experience with 6,000 procedures, and training experience with 800 people. They also work with medical institutions specializing in hair loss, and the head director performs the treatment personally, so I was able to visit feeling a little more reassured.

Inside, the rooms were divided up like this. The consultation area was neat, and various certifications and awards were displayed on one side. The most important thing for me with scalp micropigmentation was how naturally it would blend in among my existing hair. Especially with a women’s hairline, I thought lowering the line too much out of greed could actually look unnatural, so I mentioned this to the director.

My M-Shaped Hairline Before Treatment

This is my hairline before the treatment. Looking at the photos, you can see even more clearly why it stressed me out...😂 It is not as if I have thin hair overall, but the side sections leading toward my temples are sparse in an M shape, so when I sweep my hair back, only this area looks especially pale!!ㅠㅠ

A Design Consultation Focused on Looking Natural

What I liked during the consultation was the design itself. The director did not simply aim to fill in as much as possible; they considered my current hair density, facial proportions, and existing hairline to create a design that would not look awkward.

Doteurak says it designs the treatment in stages while considering scalp condition, hair density, facial proportions, and more. During my actual consultation, they kept checking both the areas I wanted addressed and whether the result would look natural.

Pain During My First Session Without Anesthetic

As I said earlier, the treatment I had somewhere else before hurt so, so much. That memory had me nervous this time too. But... I was flustered because it really did not hurt at all hahaha. I barely felt any pain, even without anesthetic.

The difference from my previous experience was so great that I kept wondering, “Are they really doing it right now?” Of course, pain varies from person to person, but at least for me, this first session was extremely comfortable.

Density Filled In With Shadow Dotting

Doteurak says it uses a shadow-dotting technique, placing each dot individually to create density that naturally blends with existing hair follicles. Up close, it did not look like one solid area had been colored in; there were tiny dots, which looked much more natural when blended with my existing hair! And above all, the director was so kind throughout the treatment.

For anyone who, like me, has felt self-conscious about tying up their hair because of a women’s M-shaped hairline or sparse side sections, SMP could be one option. Since I had already experienced a treatment elsewhere, I could feel the difference even more strongly this time. What I liked most was that I personally felt almost no pain this time even without anesthetic, and that the director did not simply widen the area but designed it to blend naturally with my existing hairline. Above all, even though this is only the first session, I am satisfied because the sparse feeling at my temples looks less noticeable every time I look in the mirror🥹