5PM Shadow SMP Color Chart | Pigment Mixing Guide
Learn how to shade match with 5pm Shadow pigment.
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5PM Shadow SMP Color Chart & Pigment Mixing Guide
Choosing the correct pigment shade and dilution is one of the most important parts of creating natural-looking scalp micropigmentation. The goal is not simply to match the client’s hair color. An SMP artist should consider the client’s skin tone, existing hair, treatment area, desired density, and healed result before selecting a pigment and dilution.
The 5PM Shadow pigment system was developed specifically for professional scalp micropigmentation artists. Our pigment range allows artists to create everything from soft, subtle impressions to darker, more defined results while maintaining control over shade and concentration.
Choosing the Right SMP Pigment
5PM Shadow pigments can be adjusted to suit a wide range of clients. Rather than selecting pigment solely by hair color, evaluate how dark the impressions should appear once healed.
For clients with lighter hair, lighter skin tones, or those wanting an extremely subtle result, artists will generally work with a lighter dilution.
Clients with medium-to-dark hair may require a stronger pigment concentration, while clients with very dark hair can often tolerate darker formulations.
The key is to build gradually. It is generally easier to darken an SMP treatment over multiple sessions than to correct a treatment that was implanted too dark.
5PM Shadow Pigment Range
BLVK Label
BLVK Label is designed for artists who want a deep black pigment with excellent versatility.
BLVK can be heavily diluted for softer impressions or used at stronger concentrations for clients requiring a darker appearance.
It is especially useful for:
- Dark brown to black hair
- Medium and darker skin tones
- Density treatments
- Hairline treatments requiring stronger contrast
- Artists who prefer controlling shade primarily through dilution
5PM Shadow Original
5PM Shadow Original is a versatile SMP pigment designed for natural scalp micropigmentation results.
It can be adjusted through dilution to accommodate a broad range of clients and treatment styles.
Original is a great everyday choice for artists who want predictable control over pigment strength throughout an SMP procedure.
Midnight Brown
Midnight Brown provides another option for artists working with clients who benefit from a softer or warmer dark shade.
It can be particularly useful when the desired finished result should appear less intense than a traditional black formulation.
As with every SMP treatment, client skin tone, hair tone and healed appearance should determine the final pigment choice.
Sunset
Sunset is a warm modifier intended to give SMP artists additional control when adjusting pigment tone.
A very small amount can be introduced when an artist wants to add warmth to a mixture.
Sunset should be treated as a modifier rather than the primary SMP pigment. Small adjustments can significantly change the character of a pigment mixture, so artists should work conservatively.
SMP Pigment Dilution Guide
Dilution allows an SMP artist to control how light or dark a pigment appears in the skin.
A higher dilution creates a softer pigment concentration, while a lower dilution creates a stronger concentration.
For example:
1 part pigment : 10 parts dilution
Creates a stronger mixture than:
1 part pigment : 18 parts dilution
An artist may choose different ratios depending on the pigment being used, the client’s skin tone, the treatment being performed and the desired healed result.
Example starting ranges
|
Desired Result |
Example Dilution Approach |
|
Very soft/light |
Higher dilution |
|
Light-medium |
Moderate-high dilution |
|
Medium |
Moderate dilution |
|
Dark |
Lower dilution |
|
Very dark |
Stronger pigment concentration |
These should be considered starting guidelines rather than universal formulas.
Every client’s skin accepts pigment differently.
BLVK Pigment Dilution
Because BLVK is a concentrated dark pigment, dilution gives the artist significant control over the final shade.
For example, an artist may use a stronger mixture for a client with extremely dark hair and gradually increase dilution for lighter clients.
A ratio such as 10:1 will produce a stronger concentration than a ratio such as 18:1.
When working with a new client, conservative pigment selection and gradual layering are typically preferable to beginning too dark.
How to Choose the Right SMP Shade
Before treatment, consider these five factors:
1. Natural hair color
Look at the client’s existing hair at the sides and back of the scalp rather than relying only on photographs.
2. Skin tone
The same pigment mixture can appear different across different skin tones.
3. Treatment type
A shaved-head SMP treatment may require a different approach than a density treatment between existing hair.
4. Desired finished look
Some clients want an extremely subtle result while others prefer more visible density and definition.
5. Healed results
Pigment should always be selected with the healed treatment in mind—not simply how dark it appears immediately after implantation.
Why SMP Pigment Should Usually Be Built Gradually
Scalp micropigmentation is normally completed over multiple sessions.
This gives the artist the ability to evaluate how the pigment heals before adding additional darkness and density.
A conservative first session creates room for adjustment.
During subsequent sessions, an artist can increase density, modify the hairline, or adjust pigment concentration based on how the client’s scalp responded.
This layered approach is one of the best ways to produce a natural result.
SMP Pigment Mixing FAQ
What dilution should I use for SMP?
There is no single dilution ratio that is appropriate for every client. Pigment choice should be based on skin tone, hair color, treatment type, pigment concentration and desired healed result.
Does more dilution make SMP lighter?
Yes. Increasing the amount of dilution reduces pigment concentration and generally creates a softer visual result.
Can BLVK be used on lighter clients?
BLVK can be diluted substantially, allowing an experienced SMP artist to create lighter pigment concentrations from a dark base pigment.
What is Sunset used for?
Sunset is a warm pigment modifier. It can be added in small quantities when an artist wants to introduce warmth to a pigment mixture.
Should SMP match the client’s hair exactly?
Not necessarily. SMP represents the appearance of hair follicles beneath or at the surface of the skin. The goal is a natural visual blend with the client’s existing hair and skin rather than an exact bottle-to-hair color match.
Should the first SMP session be dark?
Generally, SMP is best approached progressively. Starting conservatively allows the artist to evaluate the healed result and increase darkness or density during later sessions.
Professional SMP Pigments by 5PM Shadow
5PM Shadow pigments are developed for professional scalp micropigmentation artists who demand control, consistency and natural-looking healed results.
Explore our complete range of SMP pigments, cartridges, machines and professional supplies to build a complete scalp micropigmentation setup.