Are you struggling with hair loss? Then know that you're not alone. Whether it is a result of aging, hormonal changes, or genetics, gone are the days of accepting your hair loss fate or going for overly costly hair transplant surgeries.

Today, the cosmetic industry has undergone significant advancements, bringing about an array of proven treatments that effectively treat hair loss. But even those don't work for everyone, and that's where microneedling comes in.

So what does microneedling for hair loss entail? And is it safer when performed at home or professionally? Let's keep you informed and help you make the right decisions to put all your hair loss problems behind you.

What is Microneedling?

If you're hearing it for the first time, microneedling may sound like a painful cosmetic procedure, but it is far from that. It may be done using tiny, sterile needles attached to a microneedling device, but you will experience little to no pain.

As the needles pierce the epidermis, the skin activates its natural ability to heal itself and the result is younger-looking and plumper skin without fine lines and wrinkles.

Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling first entered the realm of beauty and wellness as a scar therapy and anti-aging procedure. However, with advancements in its technology and tools, it has emerged as a worthy and less invasive supplement and alternative for hair loss treatments. let's look at the differece of microneedling for hair loss results before and after.

How Does Microneedling Promote Hair Growth?

Microneedling for hair loss are performed using tiny, sterilized needles attached to a sterile microneedling device As you roll the device over the skin firmly and evenly while maintaining consistent pressure, the needles puncture the outer layer of the skin, creating tiny wounds. The skin then begins its natural healing process, increasing blood flow around the area of the skin where hair loss is being experienced.

Increased blood flow around the treatment area stimulates the inner parts of the skin to release growth factors that 'resurrect' dormant hair follicles and promote hair regrowth.

Where is Microneedling for Hair Loss Done?

Almost every part of the body that hair grows can experience alopecia, also widely known as hair loss. However, the scalp and face are usually the most affected, so they are the most common parts where microneedling for hair loss can be performed.

So how do you know which part of the head to perform microneedling on? It's simple. You just have to know the signs of hair loss, which include hair thinning around the temples, bald spots, and a receding hairline. When treating, you can also roll over parts of the scalp that may not have lost hair completely but have experienced hair thinning.

Types of Hair Loss that Microneedling Can Fix

Most people dismiss alopecia as a single condition, but understanding the different types of hair loss is crucial to correcting and treating it. After all, treatment is easier when you know what you're suffering from. Microneedling for hair loss results：Does it really work?

While microneedling for hair loss does not treat every type of alopecia, it effectively helps to manage various hair loss conditions, including:

1. Androgenetic Alopecia - This is a hereditary type of hair loss that progresses over years, leading to eventual baldness in men and dramatic hair thinning in women. Luckily, microneedling for hair loss treatments can treat this type of alopecia and leave you with a full head of hair
2. Telogen Effluvium - Hair grows in cycles with breaks in between over a lifetime. However, in rare cases, hair follicles on the scalp reach the resting phase and fail to get back to work for the next phase of hair growth. This condition is known as telogen effluvium, and it can be treated by microneedling. Regular microneedling procedures stimulate collagen production and improve blood circulation in the scalp, creating a conducive environment for hair to keep growing.
3. Alopecia Areata - Alopecia Areata is a rare type of hair loss that causes thinning and loss of hair. This results in bald patches on the head and face. Microneedling has emerged as an effective treatment for this disorder as it induces a controlled inflammatory response and triggers the release of growth hormones, leading to regrowth of hair in affected parts of the scalp.

In cases of permanent baldness, microneedling is unable to reverse the hair loss. This also applies when the alopecia is caused by completely denatured hair follicles.

After understanding the different types of hair loss and how effective microneedling is for each, let's now address a question we've all been yearning to ask.

Does It Hurt?

At the mere mention of numerous needles on a dermaroller, trypanophobia must have started to kick in and the big question for anyone considering microneedling for hair loss would be, 'how much does it hurt?'

Microneedling is performed using devices with tiny needles. The length of these needles varies according to the efficiency required and whether the procedure is performed at home or in a professional setting.

Dermarollers designed for use at home have shorter needles, usually between 0.1mm to 0.5mm long. And while they are considered less painful and safer to use on the scalp, they may not achieve the desired results. On the other hand, needles for professional derma rollers have a wider range and cosmeticians know how to select the best length depending on the targeted area.

Generally, microneedling for hair loss is relatively painless. However, in professional settings, an anaesthetic can be applied before treatments to make it more comfortable and increase accuracy during the procedure.

Risks of Microneedling for Hair Loss

The most common risks associated with microneedling as a hair loss treatment include swelling, discomfort, and redness around the treated area. This is expected due to the puncture wounds left behind by the needles, so it is advisable to stay away from direct sunlight in the few days following the procedure.

Since microneedling for hair loss involves creating an open wound, there is always a risk of infection. Luckily, the risk is small and rare due to the size of the punctures.

Microneedling for hair loss may also cause damage to the hair bulb when it is performed using longer needles than required. This is a common mistake when performing the procedure at home or when the procedure is being performed by an inexperienced cosmetician. In the long run, damage to the hair bulb could cause permanent hair loss.

Another risk posed by microneedling is scarring, especially when using a dermaroller. The needles may enter the skin at an angle, tearing the flesh on the scalp and causing further damage to the hair follicles, which is definitely not the result you're looking for!

Professional or DIY Microneedling for Hair Loss

Microneedling technology has advanced significantly over the years. Now, all you need is a cosmetic microneedling device and proper knowledge of the procedure, and you can perform it at home.

But as convenient as it may seem, microneedling at home has its drawbacks, and there are several reasons why it can hardly measure up to professional or clinical microneedling. These include;

1. Technique is a critical element that determines the success of a microneedling procedure. While there are numerous DIY microneedling resources online, they don't equip an amateur trying microneedling for hair loss for the first time with all the necessary skills or the experience of a seasoned cosmetologist.
2. In clinics, professionals always use more sophisticated equipment than those you would buy over the counter and use at home. For instance, while DIY microneedling equipment is designed for safety, with needles less than 1mm long, professionals use longer needles, making the treatment more controlled and effective.
3. Professionals know just the right mode of treatment for every hair loss problem. This is why they carry out every step of the procedure with care and maximum accuracy which is crucial to avoid exposing the skin exposed to bacteria and germs. Performing the procedure at home leaves a lot of loopholes, such as improper cleaning of the skin and the microneedling device before the procedure.
4. Microneedling for hair loss results are easily noticeable even after one procedure. On the other hand, at-home treatment is less effective and you may have to perform the procedure more than twice for the results to show.

The Microneedling Procedure

During a microneedling procedure, it is crucial to pay attention to even the smallest details. This step-by-step guide will ensure that you perform a safe and efficient procedure.

Step 1: Cleanse

Using your cleanser of choice, clean the area of treatment thoroughly. This is a crucial precaution to prevent bacteria from entering the skin through the punctures made during microneedling for hair loss.

Step 2: Anaesthetize

Microneedling devices do not inflict a lot of pain on the skin. However, you can choose to get an anaesthetic to further minimize the pain. This mostly applies when the procedure is being performed in a clinic and it helps to numb the scalp and minimize pain.

Step 3: Puncture

If you're reusing a microneedling device at home, sterilize it beforehand by soaking in 70% alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes. When you start puncturing the skin, technique is a crucial factor in determining the success of the procedure. This is why most professionals prefer a microneedle pen to a dermaroller. A microneedle pen achieves accurate vertical punctures without damaging the existing hair follicles, minimizing the risk of scarring, swelling, and infection.

For maximum results when using a dermaroller, divide the area of treatment into sections and roll over each one vertically and then horizontally.

The whole process should take around 30 minutes, depending on the scalp area being treated and the efficiency of the device.

Step 4: Post-Treatment Care

After the procedure, the scalp may swell or develop soreness and sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, it is best to avoid tight-fitting caps and apply sunscreen to prevent excessive exposure to sunlight.

Luckily, if the procedure is done professionally at a clinic, you will be given antibiotics or balms to apply on the scalp to manage the effects. Follow your clinic's instructions carefully and all the effects will be gone in no time.

How Long Until I See the Results of Microneedling?

Results! Results! Results! Let's look at the great difference of microneedling for hair loss results before and after. That's all everyone expects after any cosmetic procedure. After all, nobody wants to go through the arduous treatment only to end up with nothing to show for it. So how long should you wait for the results to show?

The average time for results to show is 3 months. However, significant changes in hair density and regrowth can be seen after about six weeks if you combine microneedling with other treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride.

Frequency of Microneedling Procedures

One of the main factors affecting how long results take to show after microneedling for hair loss is the number of procedures performed.

Since the effects of the previous procedure must heal before the next one is performed, the period between two procedures varies between a week and two months. It may take a while to get used to more frequent treatments, but it is more effective and results show faster.

Before and After Microneedling for Hair Loss

Microneedling as a hair loss treatment is a relatively new concept in the beauty and wellness industry. However, numerous studies and research have already shown it to stimulate hair regrowth and effectively repair damaged follicles. So what can you expect?

As a standalone treatment performed over a period of 3 to 6 months, microneedling prevents further thinning of hair, 'awakens' dormant follicles, and provides all the necessary conditions for hair growth on the scalp.

The efficiency of a microneedling procedure can be maximized by performing it alongside other hair loss treatments. For instance, microneedling once a week and applying a 5% minoxidil solution produces results in just 12 weeks as opposed to a longer waiting period when using either treatment alone.

After treatment, the results are sustained for at least 5 months and up to several years, before you have to start another microneedling treatment period.

Looking to Try Microneedling for Hair Loss Professionally or at Home?

If you're suffering from hair loss, you don't have to look any further than microneedling to find a safe and effective treatment that you can perform at home. However, microneedling for hair loss at home can easily turn into a disaster, so it's advisable to seek advice from a certified and reputable source.

At Diaminy, we have a variety of top-notch products and resources to guide you through the process of identifying the type of hair loss you're experiencing and how to treat it effectively at home.