Derma Roller for Hair Growth – does it help? (what studies say)

Would you believe me if I said stabbing yourself with tiny knives for hundreds of times could help you have a fuller head of hair?

Although it’s not that dramatic, that’s what a derma roller basically does!

But the device’s effectiveness, or its significance, is often debated, and the studies vary.

Let’s examine whether a derma roller can help you with hair loss and how best to use it.

What Is a Derma Roller?

Derma rollers, or microneedles, are portable tools that you roll over your skin to inflict micro-injuries that trigger the formation of the proteins collagen and elastin, which are crucial for maintaining the health and youthfulness of your skin.

What does a derma roller do?

Derma rollers are proven or claimed to help your body recover and improve in appearance in a few different areas, which are:

• Fine lines and wrinkles: collagen increases through derma rolling and can help give your skin a tight look.
• Hyperpigmentation: skincare products you use can cause different effects on your skin tone. By helping with even absorption of topical products, derma rollers can give your skin a uniform appearance.
• Acne scars: the micro-trauma caused by the derma roller signals your body to send healing and growth factors to the area, which can help heal acne scars (along with bigger scars).
• Stretch marks and cellulite: collagen production caused by derma rolling can help with cellulite and stretch marks.
• Hair growth: although it is debated, derma rolling is claimed to promote hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp…

… so let’s take a look at whether this is accurate:

Is the Derma Roller Effective for Hair Growth?

Derma rolling can be effective, especially combined with other hair regrowth treatments such as finasteride, minoxidil, or PRP. Let’s take a quick look at the studies before coming up with a conclusion:

What the studies say

The existing studies on the effectiveness of derma rolling short and mid-term all point to positive results:

A 2013 randomized and blinded study conducted on hundred men with progressed male pattern baldness concluded that derma rolling was more effective than minoxidil in a span of 12 weeks with 4 times more reported increase in hair count.

And a 2022 review of 22 clinical studies featuring more than 1127 subjects, derma rolling (or micro-needling) was found to be effective in hair growth in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Yet, there are still more questions to answer and placebo to consider.

The clinical studies, in my professional opinion as a dermatosurgeon, are not conclusive, and we’ll have to take a look at more data to make conclusions.

How Is a Derma Roller Used for Hair Regrowth?

I can’t suggest using derma rollers alone since combined with topical solutions such as minoxidil or other hair loss therapies such as PRP, it can yield more long-term results.

Make sure you consult a dermatologist and find out the best approach for your condition.

Here are some general guidelines to using derma rollers for hair growth:

How to use

Here’s how to safely use a derma roller on your scalp for hair growth:

1. Clean your scalp and hair thoroughly with soap/shampoo and water
2. Disinfect the derma roller by soaking it in alcohol for at least 10 minutes to ensure nothing harmful that can cause complications or infections stay on it
3. You can’t do all of your scalp at one go, so divide your hair into sections to expose the scalp
4. Roll the derma roller gently and slowly over the section you’ve chosen in different directions
5. Apply pressure but not too much to avoid pain or injury
6. Repeat the process several times, covering the different sections
7. Rinse the scalp with water and apply a hair growth product; we suggest minoxidil
8. Clean the derma roller with alcohol again and store it in a safe place

When and how often to use

Overusing a derma roller can cause irritation, skin injury, and even infections, so it is important to give your scalp time to heal.

You can use it every two to four weeks, anytime during the day.

Which size to use

The derma roller size that is best for hair growth is usually between 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. A needle length of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm is usually recommended for at-home use, and longer needles may require professional guidance to avoid injury.

Derma Rollers Won’t Bring Back Lost Hair Follicles

The blood flow promoted by derma rollers can only help support your existing and healthy hair follicles, not the ones you’ve lost.

So, it isn’t possible for derma-rolling, even combined with drugs such as minoxidil and finasteride, to reverse your hair loss.

Restoring your hair is only possible through hair transplant surgeries, which are direct solutions to hair loss and are long-lasting since the donor’s hair is harvested from safe areas of your scalp, and are supported by bio enhancements and advanced hair transplant technology here at UnitedCare.

Are you eligible for a hair transplant?

What is the best method to use for your case?

Let’s find out during our free consultation: