Destination SMP · Out-of-State & International
Travel for SMP
Complete guide for out-of-state and international patients traveling to California for Scalp Micropigmentation. Airports, lodging, session-clustering, and our 7-step patient journey — designed to make traveling for treatment as simple as possible.
SMPCA treats out-of-state and international clients every month. Silicon Valley’s status as a Bay Area destination makes combining a trip with high-quality SMP straightforward — 20-30 minutes from a major hub airport, walking distance from hotels, and zero recovery downtime means you can fly in and out on your own schedule.
Everything below is designed to remove uncertainty from the travel side of your treatment. The seven-step patient journey walks through what happens from consultation to follow-up. The airport + lodging sections give you specific recommendations near each studio. The FAQ answers the most common travel questions we hear from out-of-state clients.
The 7-step patient journey
From first virtual consultation to flying home after treatment.
Schedule a virtual consultation with Joe V. Nguyen
Book a video consultation via the online scheduler or by calling (510) 574-8882. Consultations run 30-45 minutes and cover your goals, hair loss pattern review (send photos in advance), candidacy assessment, and personalized treatment recommendations. This determines whether SMP fits your goals AND how many sessions you'll need.
Secure your appointment with a deposit
Once your consultation identifies the right treatment plan, secure your session dates with a deposit (applied to your total treatment cost). Reserve your treatment dates on our calendar. Review the pre-treatment instructions we email you (medication list, hydration, alcohol/caffeine guidance, hair length prep).
Confirm your schedule BEFORE booking travel
Before finalizing flights, contact our office one more time. We verify appointment dates, session timing across your trip, healing schedule between sessions if you're doing multiple in one visit, and any potential scheduling conflicts. Only after this confirmation should you book non-refundable travel.
Book flights + local transportation
Choose the airport closest to your selected studio (see airport guide below). Book flights that give you at least half a day of buffer before your first session and after your last session. Plan for Uber/Lyft, rental car, or Caltrain to reach the studio from the airport. We recommend rental car for maximum flexibility if you're staying 3+ days.
Book nearby accommodations
Book a hotel or short-term rental within 10-15 minutes of your selected studio. See lodging recommendations below. Hotels are usually easier for multi-day recovery (housekeeping, gym, breakfast). Airbnb/short-term rentals work well for longer stays (5+ days) or if you're traveling with family.
Treatment day
Arrive 15 minutes early. Park free at San Lorenzo studio; use metered street parking or downtown garages near the Palo Alto studio (Bryant St, High St). Bring: comfortable clothing (button-front shirt is ideal — no pulling shirts over your head after session), water, snacks. Session length: 2-4 hours depending on coverage area. Payment (balance) accepted at check-in.
After treatment — flying home + follow-up
Same-day flights are fine after SMP (unlike hair transplant surgery). Recovery timeline: minor redness for 24-48 hours, full heal in 7-10 days. Aftercare instructions sent home in writing. We coordinate follow-up via video call at 2 weeks + 6 weeks. Schedule any future sessions (SMP typically takes 2-3 sessions) with us before you fly home.
Which airport should you fly into?
Three major Bay Area airports serve both SMPCA studios. Pick based on your studio location and flight availability from your home city.
San Francisco International
- To Palo Alto studio
- 20-30 minutes via US-101
- To San Lorenzo studio
- 25-35 minutes via I-380 + US-101 + I-880
Best hub connectivity — direct flights from most major US cities and international. Most out-of-state clients use SFO.
Oakland International
- To Palo Alto studio
- 40-50 minutes via I-880 + I-92 (San Mateo Bridge) + US-101
- To San Lorenzo studio
- 15-20 minutes via I-880
Best for East Bay (San Lorenzo) — much closer than SFO. Southwest hub with good domestic routes. Cheaper than SFO for many domestic flights.
San Jose Mineta International
- To Palo Alto studio
- 15-25 minutes via US-101
- To San Lorenzo studio
- 35-45 minutes via US-101 + I-880 + I-238
Best for Palo Alto studio — closest airport. Growing hub with more domestic + some international. Alaska Airlines has strong presence.
Recommended lodging near each studio
SMPCA has no affiliation with any lodging provider. These are recommendations based on quality, proximity, and reliability for out-of-state clients.
Near Palo Alto studio
935 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301
- →Sheraton Palo Alto
- →Hilton Palo Alto — 4-mile radius
- →Hyatt Centric Palo Alto — walking distance to studio
- →Marriott Courtyard Palo Alto
- →Homewood Suites Palo Alto
- →Residence Inn Palo Alto Menlo Park
- →Hampton Inn Palo Alto
- →Airbnb / Vrbo in downtown Palo Alto, Menlo Park, or Mountain View
Near San Lorenzo studio
15600 Washington Ave Ste C, San Lorenzo, CA 94580
- →Hampton Inn Hayward — 5 minutes to studio
- →Holiday Inn Express Hayward — 5-10 minutes
- →Courtyard Marriott Oakland Airport — 10 minutes
- →Residence Inn Newark — 15 minutes
- →Homewood Suites San Ramon area (for longer stays)
- →Extended Stay America Hayward
- →Embassy Suites Milpitas — 20 minutes
- →Airbnb / Vrbo in Hayward, San Leandro, or Castro Valley
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Hotels are usually easier for solo travelers or shorter stays (housekeeping, gym, on-site breakfast, easier to switch rooms if needed). Airbnb/short-term rentals work better for longer stays (5+ days), family travel, or if you want kitchen access. Both have plenty of options within 10-15 minutes of either studio.
International clients
SMPCA regularly treats international clients. Considerations for traveling internationally:
- →Valid passport + US visa as required for your country of origin
- →Fly into SFO for best international hub connectivity — direct flights from most Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America hubs
- →Arrive 1-2 days before your first session to recover from time zone shift and jet lag
- →Plan an extended stay so you can complete 2-3 sessions on one trip (7-14 days total)
- →Virtual consultation in advance via WhatsApp / Zoom / Google Meet before booking travel
- →Virtual follow-up after you return home — we coordinate healing check-ins by video call
Travel for SMP · FAQ
Can I fly to California for SMP?+
Yes — SMPCA regularly treats out-of-state and international clients. Both studios (downtown Palo Alto + San Lorenzo) are within 20-45 minutes of major Bay Area airports (SFO, OAK, SJC). Many clients treat their SMP trip as a Silicon Valley/Bay Area vacation combined with the treatment.
How many days should I plan to be in California for SMP?+
Depends on your treatment plan. Single-session touch-up: 1-2 days. Full treatment (2-3 sessions): either (a) split trips 1-2 weeks apart, or (b) one consolidated trip of 3-5 days with sessions spaced 3-5 days apart. We coordinate the specific schedule at your virtual consultation before you book flights.
Which airport is closest to SMPCA?+
Palo Alto studio (935 Emerson St): SJC (San Jose) is closest at 15-25 minutes. SFO is 20-30 minutes. San Lorenzo studio (15600 Washington Ave Ste C): OAK is closest at 15-20 minutes. SFO is 25-35 minutes. Choose based on your studio location and flight availability from your home city.
Do you offer virtual consultations for out-of-state patients?+
Yes — virtual consultations via Zoom or Google Meet are the standard first step for out-of-state clients. 30-45 minute video call, we review your goals and hair loss pattern from photos you send in advance, and we determine candidacy + treatment plan before you book any travel. Only after the virtual consultation and confirmed schedule do we recommend booking flights.
Can I fly home the same day as my SMP session?+
Yes — SMP has essentially zero downtime, so same-day flights are fine (unlike hair transplant surgery which requires recovery time). Some clients prefer to stay one night to relax and take home care of the initial healing, but it's not medically required.
Can I do all my SMP sessions on one trip?+
Sometimes yes, sometimes we recommend splitting. SMP requires 5-14 days of healing between sessions for pigment to settle before the next pass. If you can stay 5-14 days for a compressed schedule, we can do 2-3 sessions in one trip. Otherwise most out-of-state clients split into 2 shorter trips 1-3 weeks apart.
What hotel do you recommend near the Palo Alto studio?+
Sheraton Palo Alto and Hyatt Centric Palo Alto are both walking distance from the studio (935 Emerson St). Hilton Palo Alto and Marriott Courtyard are within a 5-minute drive. All are 4-star business-class properties with reliable amenities. Airbnb in downtown Palo Alto or Menlo Park is also a great option for longer stays. We don't have affiliation with any lodging provider.
What hotel do you recommend near the San Lorenzo studio?+
Hampton Inn Hayward is the closest (5 minutes). Holiday Inn Express Hayward and Courtyard Oakland Airport are within 10 minutes. Extended Stay America Hayward is good for longer trips. Airbnb in Hayward, San Leandro, or Castro Valley works well for family stays. All within a 15-minute drive of the studio.
Do you treat international patients?+
Yes — international clients regularly travel to SMPCA. Considerations: (1) valid passport + visa requirements to enter the US; (2) SFO is best hub for international flights; (3) plan for time zone recovery (arrive 1-2 days before first session); (4) extended stay makes multi-session scheduling easier; (5) virtual consultation via WhatsApp/Zoom in advance is essential to plan the trip; (6) we can coordinate follow-up virtually after you return home.
Where do out-of-state SMP clients typically come from?+
SMPCA's out-of-state book is strongest from West Coast states (Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona), followed by Texas, Florida, and New York. Silicon Valley connections bring clients from Seattle tech, Austin tech, and NYC finance/media. Some international clients from Vancouver, Mexico City, and Asia-Pacific hubs where SFO is a natural connection.
Get your hairline — and your confidence — back.
Free, no-pressure quote. Tell me your situation and I'll show you exactly what's possible before you commit to anything.