You know, I bet you’ve either seen it on IG or YouTube. Small, itty-bitty roller with tons of needles all over the thing. They push it right up against their scalp. I’ll tell you right now, it makes me nervous to look at.
But hey, they say it works. Does it really help you grow your hair, or is it just hype and really, not very useful. It looks cool. That is not a reason.
Now, let’s put this on simple terms.
What Even Is a Derma Roller?
Essentially a derma roller for hair growth is simply a handheld gadget with a rolling head at one end that is lined with lots of micro-needles (and we’re talking 0.25-1.5mm!). It’s when you gently roll the tool over your scalp that it makes micro-perforations to your skin. Now before you throw a tantrum and scream, ‘ouch,’ the very same holes it makes is its purpose.
The skin, in response, will increase blood flow and promote the release of growth hormones to that specific area. In doing so, your skin will encourage the stimulation of dormant hair follicles and encourage them to enter the active growth stage of hair.
What Does Science Say?
This isn’t just a bunch of hype on social media though. A few small clinical studies have actually investigated using microneedling for hair loss in general, in particular for androgenetic alopecia – which is the most common type of thinning of the hair for both men and women. A clinical study in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery demonstrated that patients who incorporated microneedling in combination with minoxidil had more hair growth than those using only minoxidil. Another study also demonstrated that microneedling stimulated the growth of new hair by stimulating stem cells in hair follicles and causing a build up of collagen around the base of the hair follicle. Yes, there is a science behind this, but of course, every person and hair loss issue is different.
How to Use a Derma Roller on Your Scalp
If you’re tempted to give this at-home treatment a shot, be mindful of the needle size. It typically starts at 0.5mm to 0.75mm on your scalp and doesn’t exceed 1.0mm for professional treatment only. For usage at home: simply roll gently in four directions – vertical, horizontal, and diagonal – over your area of concern, with mild pressure applied throughout the whole section.
You might feel slight discomfort (tingling or scratching), but nothing to fear.
Then immediately apply a topical hair treatment (like a serum or minoxidil) or your prescribed medication. Usage rate varies: generally once per week is considered adequate for DIY usage. Overuse could result in a rather uncomfortable scalp.
Who Can Benefit from Derma Rolling?
For those in the early to mid-stages of hair thinning, derma rolling shows the most promising results. If your hair follicles are still alive but struggling-if they are hibernating but not quite dead-micro needling can shock them back into a state of activity. Unfortunately, if your hair follicles are already completely dead, or if you have large amounts of scarring in your scalp area, your follicles have nothing effective to stimulate, and derma rolling simply won’t cut it for the more severe cases. This often leaves people to search for a more permanent hair loss treatment option.
What Are the Limitations?
Biggest con – Patience. You aren’t going to see anything in a day or two. Most users need to be on derma rolling for three to six months before they start to see results.
This treatment requires persistence – fail to do it for some weeks, and you’ll be setting back everything that you achieved. Then comes the problem of infections, if the roller isn’t sterilized every time. It’s a no-no on a scalp with open channels. Also, if the problem is genetic and ongoing hair fall, it may cause regrowth but can’t cure the reason.
When It’s Time to Think Beyond a Derma Roller
If you have been trying different methods and solutions for the past few months with little to no improvement or if the condition has become advanced, you may need to get it addressed by a professional. A large number of patients visiting us at QHT have already exhausted every possible oil, serum, or home-based device to solve the problem. If permanent results are what you seek, a hair transplant in Gurgaon can be the most assured route for permanent natural hair growth without any short-term patches.
Our experts at QHT, Gurgaon, assess the condition of your hair loss and suggest treatments that are most effective for your scalp and long-term hair loss goals.
Schedule a free consultation today to explore your possibilities!
