Microneedling is a treatment that uses thin, vibrating needles to puncture your skin. Dermatologists perform microneedling to improve skin texture, reduce scarring, fade dark spots, and minimize fine lines. Microneedling done on the scalp may also help with hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern or female pattern hair loss.
Microneedling is primarily used to treat hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss. The treatment is not an effective treatment for everyone experiencing hair loss. However, microneedling may also help treat some hair loss associated with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that affects the hair follicles.
Microneedling the scalp creates microscopic punctures in the skin that trigger a healing response and help reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels—the hormone that causes androgenetic alopecia. As the skin on your scalp tries to heal itself, it may also promote hair growth in several ways. Potential benefits of microneedling the scalp for hair loss include:
- Stimulates hair follicles: Microneedling stimulates cells at the base of your hair follicles, creating more proteins that help regulate the hair growth cycle, reduce DHT, and reactivate dormant hair follicles.
- Boosts collagen: As your skin heals from microneedling, it stimulates collagen production. Collagen may help improve the health and structure of your hair follicles, potentially leading to thicker hair and less breakage.
- Increases absorption of topical hair loss treatments: The small punctures left by microneedling may help hair loss treatments—like minoxidil and platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—penetrate deeper into the skin. This effect may encourage thicker hair growth.
- Improves blood circulation: Microneedling can increase blood flow to the scalp, which helps move more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Healthier hair follicles may help promote hair growth.
Most research on microneedling for hair loss includes trials that combine microneedling with topical treatments. As a result, microneedling is likely more effective in treating hair loss when used with minoxidil or PRP.
Microneedling devices are motorized, pen-shaped devices that have a removable cartridge of needles at the tip. The needles can range from 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters in length. These devices are considered medical devices and should only be used by a trained healthcare professional, like a dermatologist (a medical doctor specializing in skin, hair, and nail conditions).
When the microneedling device is in use, the needles vibrate and penetrate the skin. As it hits your skin, the needles puncture the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis) and leave tiny wounds. These wounds trigger your body’s healing process, causing an increase in collagen and other proteins that help heal the hair follicles and stimulate hair growth.
There are no standardized procedures or protocols for microneedling treatments for hair loss. However, here’s what you may expect during a hair loss microneedling treatment:
- Topical anesthetic cream is applied to the scalp 15-45 minutes before treatment to help numb the skin.
- Your skin is cleansed with a topical antiseptic, like alcohol or povidone-iodine, to help prevent infections.
- The dermatologist will glide the microneedling device over your skin in various directions for 15-20 minutes. You may notice light pressure or a scratching sensation.
- As tiny wounds form on your skin, pinpoint bleeding and some redness will start to appear.
- The dermatologist will wash away any remaining blood on the skin and apply an antibiotic cream to help prevent infection.
- If combining with topical hair loss treatments, your dermatologist will apply minoxidil to the scalp or inject PRP into the affected area.
Microneedling at home is typically done with a derma roller. This small device has a cylinder covered in tiny needles that you roll across the skin. Unlike medical-grade derma rollers, this device has shorter needles and can’t penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate hair follicles. Instead, it mainly helps exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells. For hair loss, this effect may potentially enhance the absorption of topical hair treatments, like minoxidil.
Using a derma roller at home is a more affordable microneedling option. However, you can put yourself at a higher risk of infection and scarring. Here are a few tips for safely using a derma roller:
- Disinfect your derma roller before and after each use with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Cleanse your skin before using a derma roller.
- Never share your device with other people.
- Don’t apply too much pressure when rolling. The derma roller punctures skin at different angles, making it more likely to tear your skin.
The side effects of microneedling are usually minor and go away within a few days or weeks. However, microneedling done incorrectly can damage your skin or cause infections. Practitioners should always use new, clean microneedling cartridges to avoid spreading infections.
Side effects of microneeding can include:
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Dryness and peeling
- Tightness
- Scaly patches, inflammation, and dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis)
- Bruising
- Raised lumps or nodules caused by clustered immune cells (granulomatous reactions)
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Acne
- Bacterial infection
- Pigment changes
Some people may experience allergic reactions to the topical anesthetics used during microneedling or the stainless steel needles. Microneedling can also make your skin extremely sensitive to the sun and skin care products. It’s best to avoid makeup, direct sun exposure, and harsh retinols and chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid for about two weeks.
Risk Factors
Some conditions can also increase your risk of infections or skin damage. You should avoid microneedling if you:
- Have an active skin infection or rash
- Have eczema or psoriasis
- Are currently taking isotretinoin or have taken the medication in the past six months
- Are taking blood thinners
- Have hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Have raised scars, moles, or birthmarks in the treatment area
- Are undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or steroid treatment
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Microneedling the scalp may help hair loss by stimulating hair follicles, improving blood flow, and enhancing absorption of topical hair growth treatments. The treatment is not effective on all types of hair loss, but has shown promising results for people with androgenetic alopecia.
Research shows microneedling is likely more effective in treating hair loss when combined with topical treatments like minoxidil or PRP. Microneedling can cause infections and permanent skin damage, so it’s important to see a certified professional who follows sanitary practices.
