It’s no surprise that microneedling has become a mainstay skin rejuvenator. Commonly performed on the face and neck, microneedling creates hundreds of tiny controlled injuries that, as they heal, leave the skin smoother, brighter and less laden with fine lines and wrinkles. Like other aesthetic treatments that found their way to new body parts microneedling followed that path, moving from the face to the scalp.
Not everyone combating thinning hair and hair loss wants to resort to daily pills, supplements or messy creams, making scalp microneedling a palatable option. Davie, FL, dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD says many patients don’t want to accept their hair loss, which can impact self-esteem, and that in-office scalp microneedling helps awaken hair regeneration.
Here, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about the buzzy treatment.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Shereen Teymour is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Jody Levine, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Doris Day, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Davie, FL
- William Gaunitz is a certified trichologist
How Microneedling Benefits the Scalp
Scalp microneedling can be a really useful tool for hair growth, says New York dermatologist Dr. Shereen Teymour, “particularly as an adjunct for androgenetic alopecia or male- and female-pattern hair loss.” She explains that microneedling the scalp is similar to when it’s performed on the face: creating controlled micro-injuries that initiate a wound-healing response and release signaling microchannels that may enhance the penetration of certain topical treatments.
Rolling a microneedling handpiece outfitted with tiny needles across patchy areas on the scalp creates microscopic wounds. According to certified trichologist, William Gaunitz, these punctures in the upper dermis and into the dermal layer stimulate growth factors and tissue recovery, resulting in the body rebuilding the scalp and hair follicles. “The principles for scalp microneedling are identical to that of the face. However, the scalp requires longer needles to penetrate more deeply and pass through the existing hair for increased length to miniaturized hairs, improvement of pigmentation and minor regrowth in areas with recent hair loss.”
“With scalp microneedling, the thought is that amino acids in collagen may help build hair proteins that help strengthen hair,” shares New York dermatologist Jody Levine, MD. But collagen production isn’t always enough to shift thinning hair to thick. “So, we combine scalp microneedling with PRP or exosome treatments for enhanced results.” She adds that scalp microneedling works best for those with progressive types of hair loss, such as androgenic alopecia, which affects both men and women.
Dr. Teymour points out that microneedling the scalp should not be considered a replacement for diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of hair loss. Since hair loss is multifactorial, the best results usually come from a combined approach. “Studies generally show better results when microneedling is paired with therapies such as minoxidil rather than relying on microneedling alone,” she says.
At-Home vs. Professional Treatments
Professional scalp microneedling treatments follow the same protocol as the face. First, your dermatologist will apply topical numbing cream to the scalp. Then, an electrically-powered pen or rolling device with microneedles punctures areas where hair is sparse. Needle depths on the device range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm and treatment intervals can range from weekly to monthly. “In my practice, I would rather create a controlled biological stimulus than aggressively traumatize the scalp. More injury does not necessarily mean more hair growth,” says Dr. Teymour.
Next, your doctor or provider will apply PRP or topical exosomes to the scalp. “In studies, patients achieve 50 to 70 percent improved hair growth when combining microneedling with PRP,” Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says. A professional, in-office course of treatment is approximately three to six treatments spaced about two to four weeks apart, followed by a reassessment around the three- to six-month mark, Dr. Teymour says. “I individualize the depth and frequency based on scalp thickness, degree and type of hair loss, and what other treatments we are combining with it,” she says.
Although at-home scalp microneedling tools exist, Dr. Levine says DIY microneedling is less safe and effective than treatments done by a licensed professional. Any dermatologist or trichologist will likely tell you to be cautious of at-home scalp microneedling rollers. Gaunitz shares that efficacy for scalp microneedling is typically documented at a needle depth of approximately 1.5 mm or longer; at-home dermal scalp rollers range between .25 mm and .5 mm. “Shorter rollers cannot penetrate as deeply as a microneedling device, and their size limitation poses tremendous risks.” He adds that at-home devices are likely reused, which may harbor bacteria and cause infection. “There’s also more risk for bleeding, scarring, hair loss and thinning. The results are minor because they do not stimulate the same recovery repair as medical microneedling.”
The Results
Don’t expect Rapunzel-like strands after one session of scalp microneedling—patience is a virtue, and repeat treatments are necessary. An at-home routine consisting of scalp massages and hair growth-stimulating topical products or minoxidil may boost the effects of microneedling.
The initial results, such as small spurts of new baby hairs, likely won’t be seen for about six weeks. However, once new growth becomes evident, it is critical to continue with the treatments to achieve maximum results. Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says most of her patients require several treatments to achieve ideal results and then continue with maintenance treatments every three to 12 months.
What Else You Need to Know
Though in-office microneedling is recommended by many dermatologists, some, like New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD, see value in other methods of delivering actives to the follicles. “I worry that the needles, even if done carefully, will fracture the existing hair and increase breakage risk.” She doesn’t feel the needles penetrate deep enough to have a significant impact on delivering hair growth actives past the upper layers of the skin.
For hair regrowth, Dr. Day says she prefers dual-wavelength lasers like the Fotona laser. “It doesn’t harm the hair, and it works through a process called photobiomodulation that allows for follicle stimulation and better efficacy of PRP results.”
That said, before undergoing microneedling, your dermatologist should always assess the scalp. Patients with reactive, eczematic, acneic or extremely sensitive scalps should avoid the treatment until the condition is under control.
You’ll want to arrive at your appointment with a freshly-washed scalp since you’ll have to avoid washing your hair (no dry shampoo, either) for a few days after the treatment to allow the scalp to heal and any topicals applied to penetrate fully. Post-treatment, the scalp may be sore, red, bloody and bruised.
Still, scalp microneedling is far less expensive than a permanent hair restoration procedure like follicular unit grafting. While Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says hair transplant results are satisfying, they come with more discomfort than microneedling and a longer recovery.
