Dermaroller for Hair Loss
Androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness is a hot topic of research and discussion in the field of aesthetic medicine. Today, there are several effective treatments and methods for reversing hair loss in both men and women. One of the most promising treatments backed by scientific research is microneedling. Let us take a look at the procedure of microneedling and dermarolling, its benefits, long-term results, and how it can help with hair loss.
Facts
| Types | Dermaroller, Dermastamp etc. |
| Alternatives | Minoxidil, Finasteride etc. |
| Needle size | 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm |
What is a dermaroller? What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a procedure through which micro wounds are created in the epidermis using sterilized fine needles. The small punctures stimulate collagen growth that helps in reversing hair loss, acne, pigmentation, and many other skin indications.
Since the needles are quite small, the process is minimally invasive and the epidermis remains intact. (1) This makes microneedling a safe, cost-effective, and largely painless method that is widely used in dermatology and aesthetic medicine for multiple use cases.
Dermaroller is one of the most popular devices used for microneedling on the skin or scalp. This hand-held device features a handle and a roller covered in fine needles. The needles typically range from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm in length. The goal of dermarolling is to stimulate collagen growth without causing permanent damage, discomfort, or scarring.
Dermarolling can be done at home as the devices are readily available for use. However, maintaining strict standards of hygiene is important to prevent infection and get the best results. Microneedling is carried out most safely under the supervision of your dermatologist.
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| Pro | Cons |
|---|---|
| Studies suggest that microneedling makes minoxidil treatment several times more effective. In one study, the results showed that a combination of minoxidil and microneedling was 6 times more effective | Since the procedure involves trauma to the skin, its side effects include irritation, redness, and bruising. However, the American Academy of Dermatology instructs that the inflammation subsides after 5-10 days. |
| Recent research indicates that microneedling outperforms standard minoxidil monotherapy. According to a 2020 clinical study, one microneedling session every week resulted in more hair growth than daily minoxidil. | Microneedling is often not safe without supervision from a medical professional, especially for: Pregnant women, Hemophilia patients or people with inhibited healing Patients taking blood thinners , People with eczema, acne, and other skin conditions |
| As compared to other hair restoration options such as hair transplant, microneedling is minimally invasive and cost-effective. It is also proven to have more efficacy than standalone minoxidil and finasteride treatments. Devices such as Dermaroller are also easily available for at-home procedures. | Microneedling at home can have serious implications if strict hygiene standards are not maintained. The most severe consequence can be an infection. Hence, it is recommended to use Dermaroller under your doctor’s supervision. |
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| Study | Process | Findings |
A randomized evaluator blinded study of the effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: a pilot study. | The 2013 pilot study recruited 100 patients suffering from mild to moderate AGA. The candidates were split into two groups: Group 1: Weekly microneedling treatment with twice daily application of 5% minoxidil Group2: 5% minoxidil Pictures were taken at the baseline and end of treatment and three parameters were chosen to determine efficacy. These included: The change, patient assessment, and investigator assessment from baseline hair count at 12 weeks. | The average hair count of patients in both Group 1 and Group 2 increased. However, the hair count of the combination group was four times that of the minoxidil-only group. The results show that men who used dermarolling combined with minoxidil displayed varying degrees of improvement. 20% of the men had mild, 44% had moderate and 36% had marked improvement. |
A Randomized Controlled, Single-Observer Blinded Study to Determine the Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil plus Microneedling versus Topical Minoxidil Alone in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. | The 2018 study was conducted on a sample size of 34 men with AGA. This study also created two groups, some men were given minoxidil monotherapy while others were allocated microneedling plus minoxidil. The treatment duration was 12 weeks. | 24% of men in the minoxidil-only group failed to show an increase in hair growth. The average increase in hair count was 1.9 hairs. Meanwhile, all men in the minoxidil-microneedling group displayed an average increased hair count of 12.8 hairs. |
Effectiveness: Dermaroller with Finasteride
Dermaroller treatment can enhance the absorption of topical finasteride, producing more effective results.
According to a follow-up study conducted by Dhurat et. all, men who were found to be resistant to conventional hair loss treatments responded well to weekly microneedling sessions combined with minoxidil and finasteride usage
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Alternatives to Dermarolling
Apart from microneedling or dermarolling, there are several other hair restoration options for male pattern baldness or AGA. The most suitable method for you depends on your unique case and is typically recommended by your hair doctor.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil was originally used in the treatment of high blood pressure until its effect on hair loss was discovered. It can be taken orally or applied to the scalp directly in its topical form. The typical prescription requires patients to use minoxidil twice a day without gaps.
When applied to the balding area, minoxidil dilates the blood vessels, improving blood circulation under the scalp and increasing the supply of nutrients to the area.
For hair loss, minoxidil can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy, through different vendors, or even online.
Finasteride
Finasteride is one of the most commonly used medications for AGA and hair loss. The drug works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the hormone that causes hair loss. The reduction in DHT levels promotes hair growth. Finasteride comes in both topical and oral forms but topical finasteride is said to have lesser side effects.
According to studies, patients taking 1 mg of finasteride reported a 64% decrease in DHT, the hormone that causes hair loss.
In topical form, you can find finasteride as gel, drops, or a liquid that is directly applied to the balding area on the scalp. The drug is not yet approved by the FDA and is still under testing and evaluation. You can get topical finasteride through prescription only.
Hair Transplant
Hair transplantation is one of the most commonly practiced and highly effective hair restoration techniques in the modern world. Over the years, hair transplant methods have evolved to make the procedure more convenient and the results more natural.
Common hair transplant techniques include FUE, FUT, DHI, and ARTAS, with the most popular being FUT and FUE. A hair transplant has three main stages, removal, storage, and insertion. Mainly the extraction and removal techniques differ. Overall, hair transplantation is the most expensive but effective solution to severe hair loss.
FAQs
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