For many men, going bald means losing their confidence as well as their hair.

Now, increasing numbers are opting to have a 'hair tattoo' - a new non-surgical technique which gives the illusion of a shaved head.

The procedure, called Micro Scalp Pigmentation, works by drawing tiny particles of pigment on the scalp to resemble short hairs.

Small dots of ink to replicate each hair follicle are tattooed on the head, giving the overall illusion of shaved stubble, with a visible hairline.

This can disguise receding hairlines, bald patches, and scarring on the head.

Scroll down for video

It is claimed hair tattoos are pain free, with most clients describing a light tingling sensation in the scalp. Bryan Slaven is pictured before (left) and after (right) undergoing the Micro Scalp Pigmentation treatment

Kamil Szczepanik suffered from alopecia (left) and had to wear a hat for a long time to cover his balding areas. Since having the Micro Scalp Pigmentation treatment (right), he can finally leave the house without one

The procedure, called Micro Scalp Pigmentation, works by placing tiny particles of pigment in the scalp to resemble short hairs. Daniel Cain is pictured before (left) and after (right) having the treatment

The Micro Scalp Pigmentation takes between two to five hours depending on the extent of the bald or thinning area, and most people have two to three sessions.

Staff at Vinci Hair Clinic in London, where the procedure was developed, claim it is pain free, with most clients describing a light tingling sensation in the scalp.

The procedure costs around £2,000 to £3,000 - cheaper than hair transplant surgery, which usually costs £7,000.

A hair transplant is a surgical technique where individual hair follicles are taken from a 'donor site' –usually the back of the head - and implanted into the balding part of the body.

Scott McGraw started noticing bald patches on his head in his 20s and they made him extremely self conscious (left). He underwent Micro Scalp Pigmentation to rid him of patches in time for his wedding (right). Now, he has less hair than before but the coverage appears more even

Micro Scalp Pigmentation is less invasive, in that it does not require surgery, and can help men who do not have any hair follicles to move.

It can be used by men with male pattern baldness, or hair loss conditions such as alopecia.

HOW IS A HAIR TATTOO CARRIED OUT? Micro Scalp Pigmentation, or a 'hair tattoo', works by placing tiny particles of pigment in the scalp to resemble short hairs. A small tattoo is made to replicate each hair follicle, giving the overall illusion of a shaved stubble look on the head, with a visible hairline. The procedure takes between two to five hours depending on the extent of the bald or thinning area, and most people have two to three sessions. The treatment does not stop hair growing, so most people whose hair still grows will have to shave it off after having the procedure. Vinci Hair Clinic in London, who developed Micro Scalp Pgmentation, claims it is pain free, with most clients describing a light tingling sensation in the scalp. The procedure costs around £2,000 to £3,000, which is cheaper than hair transplant surgery, which usually costs £7,000. Advertisement

It can also be used to cover scarring on the head or alongside a hair transplant to maximise the effect.

Male pattern baldness, the most common type of hair loss, affects around half of all men by 50 years of age.

It usually starts around the late twenties or by their late thirties.

It is hereditary, and is thought to be caused by oversensitive hair follicles, linked to having too much of a certain male hormone.

It can also affect women – usually those who have gone through the menopause – and tends to cause hair to thin at the top of the head.

Scott McGaw, from Scotland, who works in fashion retail, started going bald when he was just 20.

He said there was pressure from his job to look good, so going bald felt like the 'worst thing that had ever happened to him'.

He said: 'From around 19 or 20, I became very aware of the bald patches developing around my crown and the back of my head.

'I hated people standing behind me. They probably didn't notice or even care, but I still felt very self-conscious.

'I've always been confident, but as the hair loss got worse, it did start having an impact on me.

'I used to use hair fibres which you shake onto your head to cover up bald patches, but it was tedious and the stuff would get everywhere. I wanted a more permanent solution.'

Pictured is an unknown man who had the treatment, which costs between £2,000 and £3,000, as he suffered from bald patches due to alopecia. He is shown before (left) and after (right) the procedure

Mr McGaw decided to undergo Micro Scalp Pigmentation, which was carried out over three sessions.

This would mean his head would look consistently shaved, rather than him having patches of hair he would have to try to hide.

The procedure would not stop his remaining hair growing, so after having it done he would have to shave his head periodically.

He said: 'The beauty of the Micro Scalp Pigmentation is that it's not invasive or surgical, and doesn't require any medication.

'It didn't hurt at all and I was relieved at how good and natural it looked.