Microneedling for the treatment of hair loss?

Abstract

Microneedling is a minimally invasive dermatological procedure in which fine needles are rolled over the skin to puncture the stratum corneum. This therapy is used to induce collagen formation, neovascularization and growth factor production of treated areas. It has been used in a wide range of dermatologic conditions, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata, among others. While there are a limited number of studies examining this therapy in the use of hair loss, microneedling has been successfully paired with other hair growth promoting therapies, such as minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma and topical steroids, and shown to stimulate hair follicle growth. It is thought that microneedling facilitates penetration of such first-line medications, and this is one mechanism by which it promotes hair growth. To date, the area most studied and with the most success has been microneedling treatment of AGA. While the current evidence does not allow one to conclude superiority of microneedling over existing standard therapies for hair loss, microneedling shows some promise in improving hair growth, especially in combination with existing techniques. This review summarizes the current literature regarding microneedling in the treatment of alopecia and calls for further studies to define a standard treatment protocol.

Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma Use in Androgenetic Alopecia Compared with Minoxidil®, Finasteride®, and Adult Stem Cell-Based Therapy

“…As reported in a clinical model review performed by Ferting et al [48], micro-needling may be considered a minimally invasive dermatological procedure in which fine needles roll over the skin to puncture the stratum corneum. This therapy may induce collagen formation, neovascularization, and it may favor GF release in the treated sites.…”

Autologous Micrografts from Scalp Tissue: Trichoscopic and Long‐Term Clinical Evaluation in Male and Female Androgenetic Alopecia

“…As reported by Fertig et al [26], the microneedling injection is not an aggressive treatment based on a simple procedure where small needles are rolled over the epidermis, stimulating collagen production, angiogenesis, and growth factor release. e microneedling procedure has been tested in a great range of dermatologic pathologies as alopecia areata and AGA [26].…”

Microneedling for androgenetic alopecia not responding to conventional treatment

“…Since then, its use has been extended to other conditions like rhytides, striae distensae, alopecia and others. In androgenetic alopecia, it is supposed to work by stimulation of epidermal growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, hair bulb stem cells and activation of Wnt signaling pathway [5].…”