Microneedling used to stimulate regrowth of hair for patients suffering from alopecia areata, non-scarring type hair loss, has been used with encouraging results.
Early stages hair loss, where hair follicles are diminishing but are not completely dead, characterize non-scarring alopecia.
Microneedling using a dermal roller or a pen creates micro channels across the scalp. This technique stimulates growth factor, increases circulation and can restore blood flow to the hair follicles.
Scalp microneedling can be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or Minoxidil (an over-the-counter drug used topically to stimulate hair growth).
Numerous studies have been done using microneedling to stimulate hair growth. In 2005, the Annals of Dermatology published a study on mice where a dermal roller was applied over the skin weekly for few weeks and hair regrew over the treated area.
A more recent study was published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology in May 2021. Â One hundred patients were randomized using microneedling with Minoxidil in fifty patients and the other fifty using Minoxidil alone.
At the end of the study, 82% of patients where the microneedling were used reported over 50% improvement in hair loss compared to only 4.5% in the control group.
Causes of hair loss
- Hereditary – for men, hereditary hair loss called ‘male pattern’, presents with a receding hairline or a bold spot. For women the first sign of hair loss can present as a generalized thinning or a widening of a part. Both male and female hereditary hair loss is called Androgenic alopecia.
- Age – aging can produce a slow down in hair growth and sometimes the hair follicles will disappear.
- Alopecia areata – this is a medical condition that can start with a patch of hair loss and can progress to a more complete hair loss. The hair loss can extend to other body hair. Alopecia areata is a disease that causes the immune system to attack and destroy hair follicles.
- Stress, childbirth, hormonal changes can also cause hair loss.
- Infections – scalp infections, bacterial, fungal, as well as dermatitis or plaque psoriasis can cause hair loss.
- Scarring alopecia – this condition develops when inflammation destroys hair follicles. Unfortunately in this condition the hair follicles cannot grow back.
- Diet – a poor diet lacking essential nutrients such as biotin, zinc, iron, and protein can lead to significant hair loss.
Treatment
Hair loss needs to be evaluated by a physician, including a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s medical history and complete blood work, including thyroid function, family history of alopecia, and possible infections needs to be conducted.
Usually correcting the underlying medical condition can improve hair growth.
In her Medical Spa in Montclair, Dr Aurora De Juliis MD has been using microneedling and PRP to successfully regrowth hair.
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