If you have been struggling with hair growth, you might have come across a term called ‘derma roller.’ Derma rolling or micro-needling is a relatively non-invasive skin treatment that you can opt for as it acts as a hair follicle stimulator. Most good dermatologist clinics offer derma rolling treatments.
What Is a Derma Roller/Hair Follicle Stimulator?
What is a derma roller? It is a skincare device that contains one end with a roller full of small, fine needles on its surface. It is used to induce hair growth by those with thinning hair.
Derma Roller Benefits for Hair
Micro-needling was first used for scar treatment in the 1990s. It then gained popularity as a potential alternative for androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. We know that derma roller benefits include collagen production in the skin. As study shows, It can also induce stem cells in the hair follicles, improving hair growth. The many derma roller benefits for hair are as follows:
1. Absorption of Hair Products
As the needle goes into the skin, it encourages products to be delivered to the dermal layer of the skin. Hence, people opt to use different hair loss products, Minoxidil, Topical steroids, or Platelet-rich plasma when micro needling.
2. Massages the Scalp
Research shows that this allows for an increased blood flow to the scalp inducing hair growth and thickness. This is because micro needling triggers our body’s natural capacity of regeneration to rebuild collagen and elastin in the skin.
3. Oxygen Supply to the Roots
Micro needling encourages micro-circulation that helps nourish the roots. This allows for thicker and stronger hair to grow.
4. Prevents Hair Thinning
Micro needling prompts hair to grow during the anagen phase of hair growth. Collagen will thicken around the hair follicles, making the new hair stronger.
5. Delay Progression to Catagen Phase
Micro needling helps resist hair shedding in the catagen phase.
Dermaroller for Hair
So how does a derma roller for hair growth work? Micro-needling is a process whereby the small needles make minor skin injuries in our scalp. This process of creating wounds in the skin activates our body’s regenerative mechanism to improve the health of your hair follicles and foster better hair growth
How to Use Derma Roller for Hair?
Now that you have a derma roller for hair, you might be wondering how to use it. We have outlined how to use a derma roller for hair below. There are 2 ways in which you might get derma rolling done:
- By a professional. You will find most skin clinics offering derma rolling treatments
- With minimal training, do it yourself, at home
Doing it at a clinic will definitely give you better results. If you have no experience micro-needling yourself, you should place your trust in a dermatologist who knows what they are doing. Of course, that means you will have to bear the costs of the appointments. If professional treatment is too expensive for you, give it a try at home, but only after some training. Do your first couple of treatments in a clinic. Once you understand the procedure, you can start derma rolling at home. This is how you can do it yourself:
- Make sure your derma roller is clean and sterilised before you use it
- Your scalp should be clean and dry as well
- Place the derma roller in the area you want to treat. Roll it across all directions. (2-3 times horizontally, vertically, diagonally, etc.
- Repeat in all areas that you wish to treat
This entire process is fairly straightforward and does not take more than 15-20 minutes. Do not apply strong pressure to your scalp. Just apply enough pressure where you feel mild discomfort. While bleeding may work for hair regrowth, it also invites the possibility of infection. This is especially true if you are doing it at home.
How Often to Use Derma Roller for Hair Growth?
So, how often to use a derma roller for hair growth? There are many risk factors involved, so start slow. Try doing it once a week and observe your body’s reaction to it. If you feel okay, then start doing it twice a week. Do not exceed 2 days for derma rolling in a week. Do not repeatedly go over the scalp as it will lead to injury and infection rather than hair regrowth.
Getting it done by a professional will be safer and have fewer risks. Also, derma rollers sold online do not offer the same depth as the ones used at clinics. Hence, you might have quicker results if you get micro needling done at a professional clinic.
Which Is the Best Derma Roller for Hair?
There are countless derma rollers in the market. It can often be overwhelming to understand which one would be the most effective for hair growth. However, we are here to help you choose the best derma roller for yourself:
1. Needle Size
The best needle size is between 0.225-0.5mm. These ones will show the best results for hair growth. These microneedles will activate your hair growth by puncturing your scalp the right amount to prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth.
2. Curved Handle
A curved handle will help you keep a better grip while using the derma roller. It will also aid you in applying the right amount of pressure while using the derma roller.
3. Material of the Needles
The needles of derma rollers are designed in such a way that they can induce hair growth after use. It would be most ideal to use titanium alloy microneedles. These will pierce your scalp just deep enough to help you prevent hair fall.
4. Cleaning A Derma Roller
This is very important. You must use a clean and sterile derma roller. It will only work if it is clean. Otherwise, you will only get infections. Do not overlook the cleanliness of a derma roller.
Derma Roller Side Effects for Hair
Every product has its ups and downs. While derma rollers are quite effective, there could potentially be derma roller side effects for hair.
Micro-needling may result in:
- bruising
- oozing from the wounds
- redness
- swelling
- pain
- scarring from the wounds
Usually, the micro-needled area will be red and inflamed for a few days after the procedure. But all side effects should fade within 5 days of the treatment. Your decision to derma roll should hinge on your doctor’s recommendation of the treatment. You might not be an eligible candidate if you experience the following:
- have a history of acne or eczema
- have a condition that hinders healing, such as diabetes
- are on blood thinners or other medications
Pregnant persons should avoid micro needling. While using minoxidil right after micro-needling may increase the absorption of the medication, it might also cause burning, irritation or itching on the scalp. Run it by your doctor before you use topical minoxidil with micro-needling. Also, your scalp may be more sensitive to the sun post-treatment. Hence, you should wear sunscreen every day. You can also wear a hat or cap to protect your scalp when outdoors.
The biggest risk of derma rolling is infection. The needles may be small. However, it is still puncturing your skin. Therefore it might invite infection. You cannot afford to miss the strict aftercare instructions as they will help you avoid infections. You will have to keep the derma rolled area clean and dry. You will also need to take a prescribed topical or oral antibiotic to keep bacteria away. If you suffer from any other serious health conditions, you might be at an increased risk of infection.
Derma Roller At-home Treatment
Derma rolling can get quite pricey, which is why many people try to do it themselves. It also does take up a chunk of your time to do it at a clinic, so people end up self-administering micro-needling treatments. At-home sessions are almost 1/3rd the cost of clinic treatments, making this more viable for many. However, there are certain issues associated with self-administered derma roller treatments. This includes:
- not knowing the right needle size to use
- not being able to see every part of your own scalp
- not being able to do it as well as a professional
- not knowing how the correct way to use the roller
- not knowing when you should stop
- not knowing the right amount of pressure and how to properly roll the roller
- not having access to the adjuvant treatment that professionals might use to see results, such as platelet-rich plasma
Therefore, these factors influence the quality of your treatment. It might lead to less effective results as compared to going to a professional. A licensed micro-needling expert will know how to reduce side effects from treatments. Moreover, you might not understand how to assess the risks or treat complications should they arise. You might end up going to a professional to treat the complications. It is tempting to buy your own derma roller as it is cost-effective and time-saving. However, is it worth the risk? Perhaps it is better to leave it to the experts. It is best not to do it if you have no training in it.
How to Avoid Infections and Injuries?
This is how you can avoid injuries and infections:
- Sanitise the derma roller with 70% or more isopropyl alcohol before and after each use.
- Use a complete dry derma roller. Do not use it on wet hair.
- Use cotton balls for applying oils and topicals to your scalp. Do not coat the derma roller with them.
- If the derma roller gets damaged in any way, throw it away. Bent or broken needles can cause serious injury.
- Consider replacing your used derma rollers every two months.
What Oils Are Best to Use With Derma Roller?
Derma rollers usually require the use of other oils and topicals for better results. These act as a hair growth stimulator along with the derma roller. It is vital to understand which oils work best for your hair. This entails which would nourish your hair and which ones might cause reactions, especially if you have sensitive skin. These are the best oils you can use:
- Lavender oil
- Rosemary
- Peppermint
- Coconut
Summing Up on Derma Roller for Hair
Derma rollers can be a great hair activator for those with thinning hair. It isn’t very time-consuming but requires patience. Before you know it, your hair will be growing thicker and stronger.
FAQs
Is Derma Roller Effective for Hair Growth?
You might have asked - is derma roller effective for hair growth? Yes, most people see results within 8-10 weeks. It must be done consistently for maximum benefits. You must be patient during the treatments.
Does Derma Roller Cause Hair Loss?
You can choose to cut off your hair when you start using a derma roller. Sometimes, there is a thinning effect in the beginning. However, hair will soon start growing back. Initially, there may be some shedding due to the inflammatory response of the scalp at the hair bulb.
How Long Does It Take for a Derma Roller to Regrow Hair?
Most people see favourable results within 8-10 weeks. You must be patient while waiting for the results to show, no matter how good the derma roller is. Consistent and regular usage is key in using a dermaroller for hair growth.
Can I Shampoo After Derma Rolling?
Yes, you can shampoo after derma rolling. It is advisable to wash your scalp with a gentle shampoo after derma rolling. Keep this routine for a minimum of 6 months.
Can I Use Derma Roller on Wet Hair?
No, do not use a derma roller on wet hair as it might cause infections. After all, it is an open wound.
Which Derma Roller Size Is Best for Hair?
The best size of needles is between 0.225-0.5mm. These microneedles will encourage hair growth by puncturing your scalp just enough to prevent hair loss and boost hair growth.
Can I Use a 0.5 Mm Derma Roller Every Day?
No, do not use any derma roller every day. Use the 0.5 mm derma roller once every three weeks. You need to give your cells the time to activate and regenerate for hair growth.
Does Derma Roller Regrow Hairline?
Yes, derma roller helps regrow hairline. Many people have found a difference in their hairline between 8-10 weeks of using a derma roller. Consistency is key for hair growth.
References
- Rachita Dhurat, MS Sukesh, March 2013; A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3746236/
- Taro Koyama, 2016; Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/
