Not Just For The Face: Microneedling For Improving Hair Loss

Microneedling has created quite a buzz in the beauty industry. It involves using tiny needles that are rolled over the skin to cause minor skin injuries and create a healing response. This will then stimulate collagen production and encourage the skin to make new collagen-rich tissue, which leads to plumper, glowy skin that’s more even in tone and texture.

For the face: Improving the appearance of acne scars and ageing skin

Microneedling is used to target a number of facial concerns, such as acne scars, large pores, fine lines and wrinkles. Because it is a collagen-stimulating treatment, it can help in skin rejuvenation and deal with common textural issues.

When micro-injuries are created in the skin, the body’s natural wound healing process results in cell turnover and increased elastin production which is key to youthful-looking skin. This can also be helpful for people who are trying to stave off the signs of ageing.

The increase in collagen production also helps to smooth out scars, improving its appearance with a more even tone and texture. In a 2009 study, more than 80% of patients who undergo microneedling treatment reported an improvement in the severity of their scarring¹.

For severe acne scars, longer needles may be needed for maximum results. Professional grade microneedling devices performed in a doctor’s office can be as long as 3mm to treat complex and deep acne scars that occur under the skin’s surface.

For the head: Giving a boost in hair growth

While microneedling gained its reputation as treatment for the face, the rejuvenating abilities of microneedling are extended to the scalp too. The same process of creating wounds in the skin is also thought to help produce more collagen and regenerate the health of the hair follicles.

As such, this can result in new hair growth or thicken thinning hair as seen in androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition which affects both men and women.

When microneedles are rolled onto the scalp, they create micro-injuries that offer a few key benefits:

Stimulate the production of growth factors: the fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor are shown to be crucial for the regulation of the hair cycle and hair growth².
Activation of hair follicle stems: the wound healing process promotes the activation of dormant hair follicle stem cells in the hair bulge region for hair regrowth³.
Promote better penetration and absorption of products used to treat hair loss.

One study in particular explored the difference when microneedling is used with minoxidil versus using minoxidil on its own to treat mild-moderate androgenetic alopecia. More than 80% of patients reported over 50% improvement in hair growth with microneedling and minoxidil as compared to 4.5% patients with minoxidil only⁴.

How microneedling is carried out

Doctors use microneedles that vary in needle depth and number of penetrations per second. The size can range from less than 1 millimetre to a few millimetres in length depending on the treatment required.

Depending on the depth of the microneedles used, local anaesthetic may be applied to your scalp prior to the treatment to make the procedure more comfortable. The duration for the procedure can vary based on the treatment area, but typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A minimum number of sessions is typically required to help stimulate hair growth.

As these microinjuries heal, the results of hair rejuvenation can become evident after 2-3 months. Maintenance treatments may be needed every few months to keep optimal results.

The treated area may be red and inflamed for a few days post-treatment. You will need to adhere to the doctor’s after-care instructions carefully to prevent infection, including keeping the area clean for a few days. Your scalp may be more sensitive to the sun after treatment, so wearing a hat is recommended when going outdoors.

Leave your skin and hair worries to a dermatologist

It is good to seek a medical professional for any microneedling treatment. Your doctor can assess the suitability of the treatment appropriately – individuals who are diabetic, on blood thinners, or pregnant are not recommended for microneedling.

While at-home superficial depth dermarollers are available, it is much safer to leave these devices in the hands of an experienced dermatologist for your acne scar and/or hair loss treatment. You can avoid facing the risk of an infection, burning, itching or inflammation that are caused by incorrect use. Deeper microneedling should also only be performed under medical supervision, and a healthcare professional can not only determine suitability and appropriate depth, but also make the process of deeper microneedling more comfortable with local anaesthetic and manage the post-procedure aftercare.

At Angeline Yong Dermatology, our dermatology clinic offers procedures like microneedling and low level light therapy for hair loss, on top of topical and oral medications like Minoxidil solution. Hair loss treatment requires accurate analysis on the type of hair fall by a dermatologist who has in-depth knowledge of the scalp and hair structure.

Backed by 15 years of medical practice, Dr Angeline Yong is an experienced dermatologist who was the founding consultant of the hair transplant service in the National Skin Centre before leaving for her own private practice. Her clinical interests include hair and nail disorders, cosmetic dermatology, skin cancers, and dermatologic surgery including Mohs Micrographic Surgery. At AYD, she carries out a range of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatologic treatments including laser treatments like the Picoway and PicoSure laser to address your medical and cosmetic needs.

Microneedling is suitable for hair loss, acne scars and ageing skin – talk to us regarding your skin and hair concerns today!

References:
1 .Majid I. Microneedling therapy in atrophic facial scars: an objective assessment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2009;2(1):26-30. doi:10.4103/0974-2077.53096
2. Peus D, Pittelkow MR. Growth factors in hair organ development and the hair growth cycle. Dermatol Clin. 1996;14(4):559-572. doi:10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70384-3
3. Chen, C., Huang, W., Wang, E.H.C. et al.Functional complexity of hair follicle stem cell niche and therapeutic targeting of niche dysfunction for hair regeneration. J Biomed Sci 27,43 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-020-0624-8
4. Dhurat R, Sukesh M, Avhad G, Dandale A, Pal A, Pund P. A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: a pilot study. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114700

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Not Just For The Face: Microneedling For Improving Hair Loss