Microneedling for hair loss - worth a try?

Hair loss in men has been such a widespread phenomenon for so long that you might think those affected could just put up with it. Far from it! The desire for a full head of hair is becoming ever stronger in our increasingly superficial society. The psychological burden of hair loss is often so great that no time or money is spared to combat the problem.

Unfortunately, a quick Google search does not bring quick relief. You are literally inundated with tons of products and treatment methods. Thousands upon thousands of vitamins, lotions, shampoos and conditioners, topical serums - and they all promise the great salvation. Unfortunately, only very few of them are really helpful, as the scientifically proven methods can be counted on one hand.

Anyone who has recently done a Google search of this kind will increasingly come across dermarollers or, more precisely, microneedling. We have also become aware of this new method and have taken a closer look at it.

What exactly is microneedling or dermaroller?

Dermarollers are medical instruments that were originally used to treat acne scars. They look very similar to a razor, but instead of a blade they have a small roller at the tip, which is fitted with around 200 narrow needles of 0.5 - 1.5 mm in length.

These dermarollers are available for home use as well as for beauty salons and doctors' surgeries. While a needle length of 0.5 mm should not be exceeded for self-treatment, beauticians and doctors can also use longer needles to stop hair loss. Dermarollers for home use are also smaller and easier to handle, which means that treatment can be carried out without any major risks.

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How does a dermaroller work?

The dermaroller is rolled over the areas affected by hair loss while applying light pressure. This procedure is repeated several times in different directions, resulting in small wounds on the scalp. The body's own wound healing process should then ensure that hair growth is stimulated. In addition, the device is said to have a positive effect on blood circulation in the scalp, allowing the hair follicles to be better supplied with nutrients.

The dermaroller is generally suitable for the treatment of both small patches and larger areas. Great care must be taken during treatment, particularly with regard to hygiene, to prevent inflammation. The following procedure is recommended to ensure treatment is as risk-free as possible: First, wash your hands thoroughly and put on disposable gloves. Only then should the dermaroller be removed from its packaging. Both the dermaroller and the scalp should then be carefully disinfected. In addition, the dermaroller should only be used on the affected areas.

The treatment is painless if used correctly, but often causes a tingling sensation on the scalp afterwards.

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Is the effect proven?

There are now numerous studies on microneedling in the fight against genetic hair loss. A randomized study from 2013, in which the Dermaroller was tested over 12 weeks on 100 men from Mumbai, showed a positive result. The first group of test subjects was treated once a day with 1.5 ml of topical minoxidil, while the other half underwent a microneedling procedure once a week in addition to minoxidil. According to the scientists, the subjects who underwent the combination of the two methods showed stronger hair growth. Eight months after the end of the study, the test subjects were still showing positive results.

A similar study from 2018 also showed a positive result, albeit not as clearly. This study looked at 68 men and also divided them into two groups. The first group used 1 ml of topical Minodixil twice a day and the other, in addition to the same dose of Minoxidil, also used a Dermaroller once a week. Here too, the second group showed stronger hair growth, although the scientists described the results as "not consistently significant".

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No substantial evidence

Further studies show a similar result: although microneedling could have a supportive effect, no substantial proof has been provided. However, if you consider that no damage can be caused by a dermaroller and that the price is only around CHF 20, the dermaroller is definitely worth a try. Especially if you are already treating your receding hairline with topical minoxidil.

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