5 Benefits of Microneedling For Thinning Hair

Thinning hair is just a part of life. You’ll most likely suffer from some kind of hair loss in your lifetime or at least know people who will. While this condition is vastly common, that doesn’t mean you should just sit in silence. Microneedling for hair loss will get you on the path to thicker, longer, stronger hair!

What is Microneedling for Hair Loss?

You may have heard of microneedling for improving your skin, but have you ever heard of microneedling for hair loss? Both processes are essentially cosmetic treatments that aim to increase either collagen production or hair growth by making microscopic wounds in the skin to stimulate new cells.Microneedling yields great results for reducing signs of aging in the skin such as fine lines and wrinkles, and evidence shows that the same treatment can also trigger hair growth, giving you thicker hair. Even if your hair loss is caused by genetic factors, such as in the case of those who suffer from alopecia, microneedling for hair loss can still work very well for you, and we highly recommend our patients look into it.

What You Need to Know

Unlike microneedling for the skin that increases collagen production, microneedling for hair loss aims to trigger your scalp to produce the stem cells that cause your hair to grow. Even better, this treatment can actually help your hair and scalp absorb other hair growth products you might use, like products containing minoxidil. This ingredient is a corticosteroid that soothes inflammation at the hair follicle, a symptom of alopecia areata.During the microneedling treatment, your dermatologist will apply a device filled with very tiny needles, about 0.25 to 3 millimeters long, to your scalp to create small wounds. Depending on the length of the needles, they will reach the middle layer of skin on your scalp, just deep enough to make your skin cells heal the wounds by increasing collagen production.This, in turn, helps strengthen your hair follicles, leaving you with a much fuller and stronger head of hair. While needles sound utterly painful, don't worry—your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to your scalp before beginning the treatment so that you won't feel a thing. Based on how big the area of hair loss is on your scalp, the treatment of microneedling for hair loss can take just half an hour, and when you're all set, your dermatologist can apply an alleviating serum or balm that will soothe the inflammation from the needles.

Should I Do Microneedling?

Just like any other cosmetic procedure, microneedling for hair loss has its own set of risks. Be aware that the microneedling can cause irritation, bruising, scarring, and oozing from the wounds. However, it’s normal to experience inflammation for a few days after the treatment, and the side effects subside within about five days.There's also the risk of infection, no matter how microscopic those wounds are, so be sure to follow any aftercare instructions your doctor gives you to prevent any infections. Keep the wounds clean by using antiseptics that kill bacteria, as well as letting your doctor know if your body is prone to getting infections.We don’t recommend microneedling for hair loss for those who are pregnant and remember that your scalp will be more sensitive to the sun after the procedure, so always wear sunscreen and a hat. Decide with your doctor whether or not you should do this procedure, but chances are you’re a great candidate!We would love to have a one-on-one discussion with you about this cosmetic procedure if you’re interested, so request an appointment as soon as you can and check out our website for more information!