Microneedling for Hair Loss: Boost Hair Growth By Combining With Minoxidil & Dutasteride
Key Takeaways:
Microneedling boosts hair growth by enhancing blood flow and stem cell activation. It may also increase minoxidil and dutasteride absorption for better results.
Combining microneedling with minoxidil and dutasteride leads to improved hair regrowth.
It’s important to start treatment early, as dormant hair follicles can become permanently inactive.
Are you using minoxidil and dutasteride to their fullest potential?
If you're looking to boost hair growth, you may have heard about microneedling techniques like derma rolling and derma stamping.
Microneedling is gaining attention for its ability to support hair regrowth by increasing circulation and enhancing the absorption of topical treatments.
But how does microneedling compare to traditional hair loss treatments like minoxidil and dutasteride? And why might combining these treatments lead to superior results?
Let’s dive into the research behind microneedling for hair loss and explore how it can be a game-changer for hair regrowth.
What is microneedling for hair loss?
Microneedling for hair loss is a treatment that involves using a device with tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the scalp.
The controlled micro-injuries brought about through microneedling stimulate the body's wound-healing process, increasing blood flow and the release of growth factors that support hair follicle health.
This process may enhance the absorption of topical treatments and encourage hair growth among men experiencing receding hairlines and other forms of hair loss.
Research suggests that microneedling can stimulate hair follicles and enhances growth when combined with growth promoting treatments like minoxidil. However, results depend on factors like the severity of hair loss, genetics, and consistency of treatment.
The science behind microneedling for hair growth
1. Boosts collagen and growth factors
Studies show that microneedling induces collagen production, which helps with skin rejuvenation.
It also promotes the release of growth factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which enhance blood circulation and may improve hair follicle health by increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery.
2. Improves hair growth when combined with minoxidil
Minoxidil, a widely used hair loss treatment, works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and shortening the hair’s telogen (resting) phase and causing the hair to enter the anagen (growth) phase.
Research shows that microneedling may increase minoxidil penetration, leading to better results compared to using minoxidil alone.
A 2013 study found that using a combination treatment of microneedling + minoxidil left 82% of participants with at least 50% improvement in their hair growth.
That’s compared to 4.5% of participants using minoxidil only. This reveals that the combination microneedling + minoxidil treatment is promising in stimulating hair growth.
However, the study’s sample size was small and more research is needed to better understand the potential benefits of combining microneedling with minoxidil.
While individual results may vary, combining minoxidil with microneedling appears to significantly improve hair growth outcomes.
One key? This process occurs under wound-healing conditions, which are typically achieved in a medical clinic. Both at-home and clinical treatments can contribute to these effects, but professional treatments often provide deeper penetration and enhanced results.
Microneedling vs. minoxidil vs. dutasteride: What works best?
Why to combine microneedling with minoxidil & dutasteride
Using microneedling alongside minoxidil and dutasteride shows promise as a treatment for hair loss:
1. Enhanced drug absorption
Microneedling creates microchannels in the scalp, enhancing penetration of topical minoxidil and potentially improving the effectiveness of topical dutasteride.
2. Synergistic mechanisms of action
Minoxidil: Increases blood flow through vasodilation & prolongs the anagen (growth) phase.
Dutasteride: Blocks both Type I & II 5-alpha reductase, significantly reducing DHT levels. This helps prevent hair follicle miniaturization and may promote hair regrowth in, particularly in individuals with early-stage androgenetic alopecia.
Microneedling: Further stimulates the activation of hair follicles and promotes the release of growth factors, enhancing follicle activity and supporting hair regrowth. f
By combining minoxidil, dutasteride, and microneedling, you target hair loss through multiple mechanisms — improving blood flow, stimulating follicle activity, and blocking DHT. This combination helps maintain hair and, in some cases, promotes regrowth, such as in individuals with early-stage androgenetic alopecia.
How to use microneedling for hair regrowth
Step one: Choose the right needle length
The length of the needle you choose can make or break your experience. Different lengths of needle are used for different purposes.
Needle lengths ranging from 0.5 mm to 1 mm are generally for superficial applications, like targeting wrinkles or aging skin.
Bumping up to 1.5 mm to 2 mm helps target deeper concerns, like acne or scars.
For hair loss, needle length varies, but typically ranges from around 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
The deeper the needle goes, the more painful it is, but with smaller needles (such as .5 mm), microneedling is typically painless.
The good news?
A small study found that microneedling with minoxidil is effective with a 0.6 mm needle. In fact, they found that a .6mm needle is actually more effective than a 1.2mm needle when it comes to promoting hair growth. That said, other studies have found that larger, 1.5 mm needles are effective and optimal.
Step two: Apply a numbing agent
Use a topical anesthetic to avoid discomfort. Topicals like lidocaine are inexpensive and available over the counter at the local pharmacy.
Apply the anesthetic cream, then wait as directed (often 30 to 45 minutes) before microneedling.
Step three: Wait 24 hours
Don’t apply minoxidil or dutasteride on the day of your microneedling procedure.
Microneedling causes pinpoint bleeding, making the skin highly permeable. Give your skin the day to recover before applying your topical treatments to promote hair growth.
Step four: Stay consistent
Hair regrowth takes time — expect visible results after 3-6 months.
Remember to always follow the guidelines and directions from your physician.
Can microneedling reverse hair follicle miniaturization?
Research shows that microneedling can help counteract hair follicle miniaturization.
Hair follicle miniaturization occurs when dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to androgen receptors in the scalp, gradually shrinking hair follicles. This process leads to thinner, weaker hair, and may eventually result in permanent loss of hair follicles and baldness.
However, microneedling can counteract this process by:
Increasing blood flow, promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery to the follicles.
Releasing growth factors.
Activating hair follicle stem cells.
Enhancing topical treatment absorption.
But, while microneedling may improve the health of miniaturized follicles, this treatment does not block the main cause of miniaturization — DHT.
For best results, microneedling should be combined with another treatment, such as minoxidil, dutasteride, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Early treatment is crucial — once follicles become permanently inactive, regrowth is unlikely.
Is microneedling or PRP better for hair loss?
Both microneedling and PRP have been shown to be effective treatments for hair loss, but they work differently:
Combining PRP with microneedling may lead to even better hair growth results than using PRP alone, as micro-channels from microneedling improve PRP absorption and stimulate additional growth factors.
Further research is needed to confirm and better understand the benefits of this combination treatment.
Transform your hair regrowth journey with microneedling
Microneedling is a powerful, evidence-based treatment option for those struggling with hair loss.
By combining microneedling, minoxidil, and dutasteride, you can address hair loss from multiple angles — enhancing follicle strength, boosting growth, and preventing further thinning.
Ready to reclaim your hair and confidence? Start integrating microneedling into your hair care routine and see the transformation for yourself.
