Topical Minoxidil is one of the most widely used and effective hair loss medications. Microneedling with a derma roller is also a good way to stimulate your hair follicles for growth. Recent studies have revealed that using topical Minoxidil together with a derma roller can lead to more substantial hair growth than each of these individual treatments.
Research shows that 44% more patients with androgenetic alopecia treated with both Minoxidil 5% and microneedling experienced improvement, compared to those only treated with Minoxidil [1]. This article will tell you all about this effective treatment combination:
Minoxidil is one of the two FDA and MHRA-approved hair loss medications. It works by increasing blood flow to your hair follicles. This provides more nourishment, so they can produce stronger, healthier hair. Minoxidil can help treat several types of alopecia, from male or female pattern baldness to alopecia areata or chronic telogen effluvium [2][3].
Microneedling is a therapy that uses a small tool covered in fine needles called a derma roller to create very small punctures in your scalp. These micro-wounds are painless, but they trigger your body’s healing response. This can help repair your hair follicles. Derma rolling for hair growth is easy to perform at home and can treat the same types of hair loss as Minoxidil [4][5].
Research shows that when using Minoxidil and a derma roller together, the micropunctures help improve the absorption of the topical medication into the scalp. Moreover, the increased blood flow produced by the Minoxidil enhances the effectiveness of microneedling [6].
A study was performed on 100 men with mild to moderate male pattern baldness (stages 3-4 on the Norwood scale). Half of them were treated only with Minoxidil 5% topical lotion, while the other half also received weekly derma rolling sessions. After 12 weeks, 82% of the group which had benefited from both therapies combined showed more than 50% hair growth improvement, compared to only 4.5% of those who had received Minoxidil alone [8].
A different clinical trial selected 50 patients with male pattern baldness and divided them into 2 groups. The first group was treated with 5% topical Minoxidil alone, while the second also received monthly microneedling sessions and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair treatment. After 6 months, 92% of the patients who received the combined therapies were assessed to have achieved moderate or excellent improvement, compared to 48% of those who had only been treated with Minoxidil [1].
These results were supported by a meta-analysis of 8 randomised control trials, with a total number of 466 patients with androgenetic alopecia. All of the included studies revealed a significant increase in hair count in those who were treated with both Minoxidil and a derma roller [6].
While you can use Minoxidil and a derma roller together, that does not mean that both treatments should be applied at the same time. Topical Minoxidil should only be used on the scalp 24 hours after the micro-needling session, in order to avoid adverse side effects, such as scalp irritation [9][8][10].
Here are the main steps that should be followed when combining Minoxidil and derma roller treatments:
Some people prefer to use a derma stamp with Minoxidil instead of a derma roller. A derma stamp is a mini-version of the derma roller, where fine needles are resting on a flat surface instead of a roll.
A derma stamp can be used with Minoxidil in the same way as a derma roller. The only difference is that instead of rolling it across your scalp, you simply press the stamp gently, perpendicularly, into it. Then you repeat this motion all over your thinning area.
It is generally recommended to perform microneedling before using Minoxidil. That is because the derma roller creates tiny puncture wounds in the scalp, which help increase the absorption of topical medication. That allows the Minoxidil to penetrate your scalp faster and in larger quantities, enhancing its effect.
It is recommended to use the topical Minoxidil daily, while microneedling is only necessary once a week. However, after using a derma roller, it is best to take a 24-hour break from the Minoxidil and let your scalp rest. This is done to avoid scalp irritation or inflammation.
Normally, men need to apply Minoxidil 5% on their scalp twice a day, while women need to use Minoxidil 2% in a single daily dose. However, only a trichologist can recommend the optimal medication dosage and application frequency for your specific condition. As for the micro-needling, a single weekly session should suffice. Using it too frequently can lead to the creation of scar tissue, which may prevent your hair from growing in the affected area. This could significantly decrease the effectiveness of most hair growth therapies (however, you might still be a good candidate for hair transplant on scar tissue).
Research shows that combining Minoxidil and microneedling is largely safe and well-tolerated [6]. The side effects of using Minoxidil together with derma rolling are mostly a cumulation of the adverse effects of each of these individual therapies.
The most common side effects of topical Minoxidil use include:
The most frequently encountered side effects of micro-needling include:
However, combining these two therapies could increase the frequency or intensity of some of these symptoms (e.g. scalp irritation, itchiness, discomfort), especially if you use Minoxidil too soon after microneedling.
Remember to always consult a trichologist before administering any medication, to make sure that it is suitable for your specific condition.
Derma rolling can be a bit daunting, especially if you are not fond of needles. But the good news is that there are other therapies you can use together with Minoxidil, for enhanced effect.
Minoxidil combined with Finasteride is a very common and effective option but is only recommended for men or post-menopausal women (if premenopausal women use Finasteride, they risk experiencing hormonal imbalances or foetal malformations).
It has been shown to produce superior hair growth outcomes than each individual therapy. Studies reveal that Finasteride results are significantly enhanced when used alongside Minoxidil [11].
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a minimally invasive procedure which involves extracting a small quantity of your blood, separating the platelets and re-injecting them into your scalp, to provide hair follicles with extra nutrients. While additional research into this topic is required, some studies reveal that using it together with Minoxidil enhances its effect [12]. Find out more about PRP vs Minoxidil for hair loss.
Administering oral Vitamin D for hair alongside Minoxidil has been found to slightly improve its effect, especially in patients with female pattern hair loss. [13].
Not all kinds of hair loss can be successfully treated with microneedling and Minoxidil. That is why figuring out the reason your hair is falling out is very important. Book a consultation today with one of our dedicated specialists. They will run diagnostic trichology tests and get to the root of your alopecia.
Once you have a diagnosis, our hair doctors will recommend the best hair loss treatment for men or the most effective hair loss treatment for women with your particular condition.
Should your hair loss be too advanced for medication, do not despair. You may still be a good candidate for a permanent hair transplant. The award-winning Wimpole Clinic has a 50-year legacy of surgical hair restoration excellence. Check out our before and after hair transplant photo gallery.
If you would like to find out more about using Minoxidil with a derma roller, feel free to peruse the answers to these frequently asked questions.
There isn’t sufficient research at this time to say whether beard rollers work for beard growth. However, some positive results of Minoxidil for beard growth are documented in the scientific literature [6].
Given that microneedling enhances Minoxidil absorption through your scalp, it may behave similarly when used on your beard area. But more evidence is needed to support this.
Using oral Minoxidil and microneedling at the same time would likely combine the individual benefits of each therapy. However, microneedling enhances the effect of topical Minoxidil because it allows it to penetrate your scalp more easily. So there would be less synergy between oral Minoxidil and a derma roller than when using a topical solution.
Yes — microneedling has its own merits as a standalone treatment. Moreover, you can also use other topical medications or remedies with a derma roller, such as topical Finasteride or essential oils for hair growth.
You should normally be able to see some initial results of microneedling and Minoxidil within 2-3 months of consistent use. However, peak results are usually achieved after about 6 months from the beginning of treatment.
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