성별 및 연령대에 따른 SMP(두피문신)의 위상 인식과 시술 부작용 인식 차이에 관한 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Recently, Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) has rapidly expanded as a non-surgical alternative for alleviating appearance-related distress and psychological stress caused by hair loss, leading to growing interest and utilization among general consumers and the beauty industry. With the enactment of the Tattooist Act, which has incorporated SMP into an institutional framework, the need for empirical data on gender- and age-specific perceptions has become increasingly important. Nevertheless, systematic studies examining differences in SMP stage recognition and awareness of procedure-related side effects across demographic groups remain limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify how SMP stage perception and side-effect awareness differ by gender and age. A survey was conducted with 340 participants, including the general public and beauty industry practitioners, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 24.0 through descriptive statistics, chi-square tests (χ2), t-tests, and one-way ANOVA.
The findings revealed clear gender- and age-related differences in SMP perception. Significant gender differences were observed in status perception, with 93.3% of men perceiving SMP as a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure, compared to 77.4% of women; women were more than three times as likely as men to classify SMP as a traditional tattoo. Side-effect awareness also showed significant differences across both gender and age groups. While 71.9% of women reported awareness of side effects, only 55.5% of men did so. More than 70% of respondents in their 20s and 30s perceived potential side effects, whereas respondents aged 70 and older unanimously reported “no side effects.” Differences were also evident in perceived causes of side effects: women most frequently cited pigment spreading or discoloration (39.3%), whereas men emphasized unnatural appearance and design failure. Age-specific patterns further showed that respondents in their 20s were most concerned about hair-loss aggravation, those in their 30s and 40s about pigment spreading and design issues, those in their 60s about hygiene-related infection, and those aged 70 and older predominantly about pigment discoloration.
These findings indicate that SMP perception structures differ significantly across gender and age, particularly in relation to perceived risks and side effects, which play a direct role in shaping attitudes and intentions toward the procedure. Following the implementation of the Tattooist Act, it is essential to develop tailored consultation systems that reflect demographic characteristics and to strengthen safety- and hygiene-oriented pre-procedure communication. Furthermore, providing accurate information on pigment composition and longevity, establishing systematic guidelines for side-effect prevention, and implementing consumer protection-focused policies are urgently required. Such measures will enhance the reliability of SMP procedures and contribute to greater safety and professionalism across the industry.