For years, microneedling has been a not-so-secret weapon in cosmetic dermatology offices thanks to its ability to soften acne scars, fade hyperpigmentation, and smooth wrinkles. But the treatment’s appeal isn’t limited to the face alone. Derms say microneedling can also be surprisingly effective on the scalp, where it’s increasingly used as a relatively quick, low-downtime option for men hoping to slow hair loss and promote thicker, fuller growth.
Before you book an appointment to get pricked and prodded, check out the basics of microneedling and hair loss—including how it stacks up against more established solutions—below.
What is microneedling?
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses tiny, surgical-grade needles to create microchannels in the skin or scalp to trigger the body’s natural wound-healing response. This process stimulates collagen and elastin production, helping to improve the skin’s tone and texture. Skin wins aside, microneedling also offers some compelling advantages for your hair.
“Microneedling drives the release of growth factors and increases blood flow, culminating in the activation of stem cells around the hair follicle,” says Dr. James Kilgour, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Golden State Dermatology in Sacramento, California. “All of these signals work together to nudge dormant follicles back into a growth phase and strengthen the ones that are already active.” The micro-injuries also allow topical treatments—such as serums, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and minoxidil—to penetrate more effectively. (For the uninitiated, PRP involves drawing blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to isolate platelets and growth factors before it’s topically applied or superficially injected. Tissue regeneration and healing, plus the growth of new blood vessels, are meant to produce thicker, healthier hair. Meanwhile, topical minoxidil is an FDA–approved medication that pushes hair into the growth phase of the hair-growth cycle and restores inactive hair follicles, says board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, MD.)
So what does the treatment entail? Most people sit with numbing cream on the treated area for up to 30 minutes. Once it’s smeared off, your provider passes the microneedling device over your skin or scalp. Topical solutions sometimes but not always follow before you’re out the door. Dr. Green says that you might experience minor redness, swelling, and pain, though side effects tend to be mild and short-lived.
Click here to learn more about the research behind microneedling.
