Microneedling for hair loss is a game changer when it comes to treating various skin concerns, including scars, stretchmarks, and alopecia (commonly known as hair loss). Speaking of alopecia, there are many types, and microneedling for hair loss helps eliminate them all.
So if you’re dealing with hair loss and are seeking a solution, scalp microneedling for hair loss might just be the remedy you've been searching for. But before committing to the treatment, here's an overview of what microneedling for hair loss entails, and whether it actually works.
Am I Dealing with Androgenetic Alopecia?
This is a common type of alopecia that affects both men and women. It is pretty easy to identify androgenetic alopecia as it leaves one with a unique pattern of baldness. For men, the path to baldness begins with the hairline close to your temples eroding and, over time, the hairline recedes to form a clear-cut ‘M’ shape.
Hair also starts thinning at the top of your head, and eventually, the bald spot at the crown of your head expands and meets the receding hairline, leaving your head with hair on the sides and around the back.
For women, microneedling for hair loss is often observed by thinning hair from the top of the head, mostly at the center area. Your front hairline doesn't lose hair, though. And, unlike men, you don’t end up with distinct baldness, but diffuse hair thinning instead. This is when hair gradually reduces on the head. So, in women, the hair becomes less dense and finer over time, leaving you with a pretty even thinning appearance.
If you happen to have androgenetic alopecia, here is how scalp microneedling for hair loss can help.
How Microneedling Helps with Androgenetic Alopecia
First, let’s delve into how androgenetic alopecia manifests to better understand how microneedling manages it.
How androgenetic alopecia develops
This type of hair loss can be inherited, and it raises the sensitivity of your scalp’s hair follicles to androgens (male hormones) like DHT (dihydrotestosterone). But why the scalp? This is because, compared to other body parts, your scalp hair results from a different growth cycle, and its follicles are greatly sensitive to hormonal changes that lead to hair loss.
Essentially, when DHT binds to the androgen receptors of your scalp hair follicles, it triggers a miniaturization process. During the miniaturization process, DHT binds to the scalp follicles with greater androgen receptor density.
Then, DHT shortens the hair growth phase (or anagen phase), causing the follicles to progressively produce finer and shorter hair. With time, the follicles weaken or become dormant, causing diffuse thinning in women and baldness in men.
Here is how microneedling for hair loss intervenes to manage the situation:
How microneedling helps
Microneedling for hair loss works by revitalizing weakened or dormant hair follicles, initiating hair growth, and managing the genetic effect on your hair follicles. Moreover, it helps create an optimal setting for full regrowth of hair where it has thinned or been completely lost
This environment nourishes and supports the functionality of the weakened or dormant follicles, encouraging them to take another shot at the anagen phase. And, by jumpstarting the anagen phase, the scalp hair follicles can grow stronger, healthier hair.
Explore how the treatment primes your scalp to stimulate follicles to continue growing.
1. It enhances blood flow to the scalp
In a professional setting, scalp microneedling for hair loss is done with a derma pen to create carefully controlled micro-injuries in bald areas or where the hair has thinned. This triggers your body’s natural wound-healing mechanism, during which more blood flows to the wounded section.
More blood flow to the weakened or dormant follicles means sufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen. These crucial resources have the potential to revitalize the follicles and prolong the growth stage for follicles that are yet to fall victim to androgenetic alopecia.
2. It stimulates the production of growth factors
As a result of the punctures, your body also produces active molecules that affect hair regrowth, promote tissue regeneration, and repair within the follicles.
The growth factors remodel the follicles’ extracellular matrix, improving the follicles' structural support. Moreover, the growth factors help in cell differentiation and proliferation within the scalp hair follicles, encouraging the generation of healthier hair.
3. It amplifies collagen creation
Your scalp’s response to the micro-injuries also includes a boost in collagen synthesis. The presence of collagen enlarges and fortifies the miniaturized follicles. In turn, the follicles generate thicker and more resilient hair.
4. It aids in better absorption of topical products
Since the tiny wounds as a result of microneedling for hair loss take a while to heal, using topical products immediately after microneedling improves their absorption. This is because the micro-perforations heighten skin’s permeability, allowing for deeper delivery of topical treatments like minoxidil.
Minoxidil combats androgenetic alopecia by enlarging shrunken follicles and extending the growth phase. Therefore, applying minoxidil after microneedling improves its ability to counter the effects of DHT on your scalp, effectively managing androgenetic alopecia.
You can also combine microneedling for hair loss with these treatments to improve its effectiveness.
Combining Microneedling with Other Treatments to Improve Androgenetic Alopecia
1. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP is processed by drawing a sample of your blood and putting it in a centrifuge, which separates platelets and growth factors, and then injecting it on the part you're treating to separate the platelets and plasma into a solution, which are then injected into your scalp. However, rather than have the therapy separately, it can be performed alongside microneedling for hair loss.
Your practitioner microneedles your scalp to enhance the delivery of the platelets, potentially increasing hair thickness and density. This is because apart from their healing properties, your platelets are rich in growth factors crucial for tissue regeneration and repair.
2. Finasteride
Finasteride is an oral medication that inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT, which binds to the androgen receptors of your scalp hair, causing androgenetic alopecia.
In short, finasteride combats alopecia by decreasing dihydrotestosterone. Microneedling for hair loss, on the other hand, improves the overall scalp environment to keep the follicles active so that they can generate healthier hair.
3. Natural oils and botanical extracts
Just like minoxidil, microneedling for hair loss enhances the absorption of natural oils and botanical extracts into your scalp. For example, rosemary oil and extracts from caffeine are known to boost blood circulation and cut down DHT levels.
4. Nutritional supplements
While microneedling for hair loss improves the external scalp conditions, supplements improve the internal aspects. They supply the critical minerals and vitamins needed by the hair follicles for robust hair development.
Some of the effective supplements include iron and zinc. Iron supports the supply of oxygen throughout your body while zinc improves the health of the follicles and the repair process.
Overall, microneedling is effective on hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia. Sometimes, a certified practitioner may recommend combining it with either of these treatments to elevate the desired results. But is microneedling for hair loss right for you?
Am I Fit for Microneedling?
Before undergoing microneedling for hair loss to help manage androgenetic alopecia, a certified skin professional must review your current condition to determine suitability. The professional assesses your medical history, skin sensitivity, psychological readiness, and skin type.
An experienced practitioner handles you professionally and listens to your desires to help set realistic expectations. Generally, you won’t make it through to the microneedling for hair loss phase if you are suffering from these conditions:
1. Blood clotting disorders
Having hemophilia or any other bleeding disorder is a big no when it comes to micro-needling. This is because the disorder increases the risk of excessive bruising or bleeding during microneedling for hair loss. Even if you are on anticoagulant medications, you should avoid microneedling.
2. Active scalp infection or acne
Any active scalp infections or acne increase the risk of spreading the infection or acne to other areas of the scalp during microneedling for hair loss. Moreover, microneedling can worsen the symptoms of scalp infections like impetigo or folliculitis because of the added irritation.
3. Compromised immune system
Suffering from an autoimmune disease or taking medications that could weaken your immune response? Then, you must put aside the idea of microneedling for hair loss.
Medications like corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs significantly reduce your system’s ability to heal wounds and combat infections. That’s why you must avoid microneedling for hair loss because the wounds created during the procedure may not heal effectively, increasing the chances of an infection developing.
4. Prone to keloid scars
Skin prone to keloid scars is highly responsive to even the most minor skin trauma. Considering that scalp skin has greater tension, it is wise for you to avoid microneedling your scalp to prevent the formation of uncomfortable, itchy, and painful keloid scars.
If you have none of these conditions, your practitioner should look into the other factors affecting your suitability for scalp microneedling for hair loss and direct you accordingly. Sometimes, after a successful professional microneedling session, the aesthetician may guide you on the microneedling for hair loss scalp at home. This serves the purpose of boosting the effects of the clinical microneedling procedure.
Here is an overview of what at-home microneedling for hair loss looks like and the benefits you can derive from it.
Microneedling for Hair Loss at Home
Microneedling for hair loss at home is pretty cost-effective and straightforward as you just have to get a derma roller (or scalp roller) and follow your aesthetician's instructions. However, what matters most are hygiene and the technique you use. An incorrect technique may lead to complications.
Before microneedling for hair loss at home, you must prepare your scalp by cleaning it to get rid of residues, including oils and dirt. Additionally, you must sterilize the derma roller and ensure you are in a sterile environment to minimize the risks of infection. This includes ensuring that your room is clean, free from contaminants or dust and well-ventilated before proceeding.
After ensuring utmost hygiene, you can proceed with microneedling the scalp at home using the derma roller. Roll the scalp roller in every direction to cover the affected area evenly. Remember, you can reference the derma roller’s guide or the instructions from your practitioner to do this correctly.
Over more microneedling sessions, you should start to observe some changes in hair quality. Use some topical treatments like minoxidil to apply after the microneedling session, but always avoid harsh topical products after microneedling for hair loss and sun exposure as microneedling makes your scalp more sensitive.
FAQs on Microneedling for Hair Loss
1. How often to Microneedle for Hair Loss?
It is advised that you receive microneedling sessions every 3-4 weeks for best results in stimulating hair regrowth.
The frequency of treatments is such that the scalp has enough time to heal between treatments, and the hair follicles are given time to respond to the treatment.
The best at-home treatments would be once a week, microneedling with a derma roller of a needle size between 0.5mm and 1.5mm is encouraged. As with any product, seeing results is all about consistent use, but don’t overdo it to stop irritation or damage to the scalp.
2. What is the best microneedling pen for hair loss?
There are several microneedling pens that are made for hair loss treatment and are adjustable for depth, depending on your hair type and condition.
● Dermatologists recommend Dermapen 4 and Dr. Pen M8 as professional options, as the devices are very precise and can be customized to a fine needle depth, therefore suitable for use in clinics.
● Diaminy aesthetics Derma Pen and Microneedling Pen are also great choices for home use; they work well and the price is very reasonable. These pens generally have adjustable needle lengths that are suitable for different scalp issues and are comfortable to use at home.
3. How much does microneedling for hair loss cost?
The cost of microneedling for hair loss depends on the type of treatment, the area being treated, and the skill of the professional.
● Professional treatments: The price ranges from $200 to $700 per session depending on the clinic, location, and the experience of the practitioner. Other clinics may offer packages for multiple treatments to lower the cost per treatment.
● Derma rollers for at-home microneedling: If you want to treat your hair loss at home, the derma rollers are the cheaper option. The prices of the needles are usually between $30 and $150 depending on the brand and the quality of the needles. At-home options are more affordable but require consistency and good technique to get the best results.
4. How effective is microneedling with PRP for hair loss?
Microneedling combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy can greatly amplify the results of hair regrowth. PRP involves using your own blood plasma, which is filled with growth factors, to stimulate the hair follicles.
● The microneedles from the microneedling procedure allow PRP to penetrate deeper into the skin, where the follicle can regenerate and grow new hair.
● After regular treatments of microneedling and PRP, many people notice significant improvements in hair thickness and density in 3-6 months. This is thought to be one of the best nonsurgical treatments for alopecia.
5. What is a microneedle stamp for hair loss?
Instead of the traditional derma roller, the alternative is a microneedle stamp which offers a more controlled penetration of the scalp without unnecessary irritation. This tool consists of a small handheld device with a set of fine needles that create microchannels in the scalp.
The stamp, unlike a roller which moves over the skin, allows for precise, vertical needle penetration and is best for treating smaller areas or patches of hair loss.
A microneedle stamp is very useful for localized bald spots or thinning areas to target specific regions without affecting the surrounding hair follicles. This helps control the penetration so that irritation is minimized and microneedling treatment can be more targeted.
Conclusion
Microneedling for hair loss is a new and useful treatment that stimulates your dormant follicles, improves blood circulation, and increases the absorption of topical hair loss products (such as minoxidil). Microneedling works by making micro-injuries on the scalp which trigger the body’s natural healing response and encourage the scalp to grow thicker and stronger hair over time.
Finasteride or natural oils combined with PRP therapy, or microneedling, can greatly increase hair density and reduce hair thinning. Consistency is key regardless of whether you do it professionally or at home.
Within 3 to 6 months, with regular treatment, you will notice marked improvements. Microneedling for hair loss is a noninvasive but powerful hair regrowth solution if you are looking for a noninvasive but powerful hair regrowth solution. Start your journey today!
Take Your At-Home Microneedling Routine to the Next Level Today
Here at Diaminy, we believe in the need for quality and risk-free aesthetic products. That is why we are committed to serving you with top-of-the-class derma rollers for at-home microneedling.
Take a look at our aesthetics devices and aftercare collection to find what you need to improve your skin or hair health today.
