Guide:
- What is Microneedling for Hair Loss?
- How Does Microneedling Hair Loss Work?
- Can Microneedling Regrow Hair?
- Wondering How Often Microneedling Hair Loss Treatment Needs Doing?
- Am I A Candidate for Scalp Microneedling?
- In-Office Microneedling vs. DIY Microneedling
What is Microneedling for Hair Loss?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a cosmetic treatment that works wonders for tackling signs of aging by boosting collagen production in your skin. It accomplishes this using a special roller armed with tiny needles that create micro-injuries in your skin, kickstarting your body’s natural healing response.
But guess what? Microneedling is not just for fighting wrinkles and fine lines. It’s also gaining traction as a solution for hair loss, including conditions such as alopecia areata. The same process that improves the skin on your body can also be done on hair follicles in your scalp to potentially stimulate the growth and thickening of hair.
Studies have shown that microneedling can be effective for treating androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) and some cases of alopecia areata, according to Cleveland Clinic.
If you’re looking to supercharge your hair growth game, we may recommend combining your scalp microneedling treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This involves injecting platelets (AKA liquid gold) from your blood under your skin to kickstart collagen production. Adding this to your microneedling for hair loss treatment can help boost your hair-thickening results.
The aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa often use PRP alone for hair restoration as PRP injections can be effective in preventing hair loss, promoting new hair growth, and stimulating hair growth after hair transplants. We typically recommend an initial series of 3-6 treatments followed by annual maintenance treatments.
Microneedling can help your scalp absorb other hair loss treatments better, like minoxidil (Rogaine), topical steroids, and (of course) platelet-rich plasma.
How Does Microneedling Hair Loss Work?
Here at HerSpace MedSpa, your comfort is at the forefront of our minds, along with your safety and satisfaction. Our experienced skin professionals will apply a topical numbing cream to your scalp about 45 minutes before your microneedling treatment. This simple step goes a long way in making sure your microneedling hair loss treatment is as pain-free as possible.
Once you’re all prepped, we’ll roll a special device with thin needles over your scalp, creating micro-injuries to stimulate your skin’s natural healing process, which involves ramping up blood flow and collagen production. While this healing response is known for being highly effective in improving skin, it can also make a noticeable difference in hair restoration in some cases.
The microneedling hair loss treatment itself usually takes less than 10 minutes depending on the area being treated. Once it’s done, your provider will apply a soothing balm to your scalp or possibly give you an injection with a hair loss treatment if needed, depending on what you’re aiming to achieve with the microneedling session.
Can Microneedling Regrow Hair?
As mentioned above, microneedling gives your skin a wake-up call by kickstarting its natural healing process through micro-injuries. During its healing process, your body sends more blood flow to the area and builds collagen. When done in an office with professional devices that consist of longer needles than home rollers, this same wound-healing process can give your hair follicles the boost they need to produce thicker, healthier hair.
Wondering How Often Microneedling Hair Loss Treatment Needs Doing?
You may be wondering, how often should you microneedle for hair loss to maintain results? It depends on your needles and the severity of your condition. Studies have shown that undergoing microneedling sessions every 1-3 weeks can promote hair regrowth, especially in individuals with androgenic alopecia (AGA), which is a common form of hair loss.
Am I A Candidate for Scalp Microneedling?
Typically, the best candidates for scalp microneedling are those experiencing the initial phases of alopecia and have moderate hair loss linked to typical male or female patterns of androgenetic alopecia. Usually, the areas treated with microneedling aren’t completely bald but may have lower hair count numbers or thinner strands that have lost some of their volume over time.
If you’re not sure if this treatment is right for you before visiting a professional about it, researching microneedling hair loss before and after photos may help you in your decision. Take a look at the “before” photos and see if anyone with concerns similar to you benefited from this treatment.
In-Office Microneedling vs. DIY Microneedling
When it comes to microneedling for hair loss, professionals usually opt for needles around 1.5 mm in length, as anything above this is a suitable microneedling length for hair loss. Unlike the DIY devices with shorter needles, these longer ones create more controlled wounds, yielding more noticeable results. It’s crucial to leave the use of lengthier needles to the experts, as longer needles can be risky in inexperienced hands.
The technique is key in microneedling. While online tutorials are easy to find and may seem tempting, nothing beats the expertise of a licensed and highly experienced skin care professional who has been trained to treat various skin types and hair conditions.
Professional microneedling offers several advantages over DIY methods:
- Since professional treatments pack a more significant punch, they require less frequent sessions compared to DIY microneedling, which often needs to be done weekly for minimal results.
- Microneedling involves puncturing the skin with a needle tool, which, if not done correctly or hygienically, can lead to safety risks such as infections. Professionals ensure proper sanitation and technique, minimizing these risks.
- Professional procedures often incorporate the use of medical-grade topicals with hyaluronic acid or growth factors such as PRP, enhancing treatment outcomes by allowing deeper penetration into the skin.
On the other hand, at-home derma roller treatments come with their downsides. According to Healthline, these include:
- Choosing the right needle size can be tricky in inexperienced hands.
- It’s challenging to reach certain areas of the scalp, especially the back of the head.
- DIY methods may not target specific areas as effectively as professional treatments.
- Without proper training, users may struggle with technique, pressure, and duration of use.
- Professionals have access to additional treatments like platelet-rich plasma, which can’t be replicated at home.
Searching for nonsurgical methods for restoring or thickening lost or thinning hair? Request a consultation with the aesthetic professionals at HerSpace MedSpa to find out if you can benefit from professional microneedling for hair loss.
