Does microneedling make minoxidil more effective?

Author: Emiliano Stokes III  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

Microneedling and minoxidil are widely popular and highly effective treatments for hair loss. And studies have shown that using the two treatments together further improves their effects. This combination is a promising treatment for those experiencing thinning hair and baldness.

Does microneedling make minoxidil work faster?

The most prominent studies to date have found dermarolling to be of use -- particularly in hair loss cases. A 2021 review actually found that microneedling may be more effective at increasing hair growth than 5% topical minoxidil, which is the leading medication used for the treatment of pattern hair loss.

How do you increase the absorption of minoxidil?

Applying tretinoin can enhance this conversion and improve minoxidil absorption. Enter: Retinol, but specifically Tretinoin, which is only offered as a prescription. This form of retinol can used topically on the scalp (before minoxidil) and helps raise sulfotransferase levels to boost the efficacy of minoxidil.

What happens if you apply minoxidil after microneedling?

1. **Increased Irritation**: Combining microneedling with minoxidil can increase skin irritation, redness, and inflammation. This is because both treatments can cause mild irritation individually, and their combination might exacerbate these effects(9†source).

Does tretinoin make minoxidil more effective?

Tretinoin is known to increase the percutaneous absorption of minoxidil and, therefore, to enhance the response of AGA to minoxidil.

Is MICRONEEDLING Worth the Hype? Doctorly Explains

How do I maximize my minoxidil results?

How else can I maximise minoxidil results?
  1. Combine minoxidil with finasteride. Men with male pattern baldness can safely combine minoxidil with oral or topical finasteride to improve their hair loss symptoms [5]. ...
  2. Use minoxidil fortified with azelaic acid. ...
  3. Use a derma roller alongside minoxidil.

How to increase the efficiency of minoxidil?

Be consistent with your application

As is the case with any type of medication, you need to be consistent and routine with your application of Minoxidil. You are required to apply 1ml of Minoxidil solution to the areas of your scalp affected by male pattern hair loss, and you need to do this twice a day.

Should you use minoxidil or microneedling first?

The most effective way to use minoxidil with a dermaroller is to first roll the dermaroller on the scalp, and then apply minoxidil to the area.

How often should I microneedle my scalp?

The cost of microneedling is an investment of both time and money. Treatments are usually every four weeks and, on average, 5 treatments are required. After the series is complete, maintenance is suggested to maintain and continue to promote hair growth and scalp health.

How can I increase my minoxidil response?

The use of microneedling in combination with topical minoxidil in the treatment of AGA demonstrated superior regrowth compared to minoxidil monotherapy. In this pilot study, following 3 weekly sessions of microneedling, 66% of subjects presented an increased follicular sulfotransferase enzymatic activity.

Is minoxidil 2% or 5% better?

2% minoxidil is recommended for people with minor hair loss or who are sensitive to the medication. It has a decreased chance of negative effects and is frequently advised for women due to its milder nature. 5% minoxidil improves outcomes for more severe hair loss and may work faster or more efficiently.

What are the downsides of minoxidil?

Minoxidil has other effects that could be bothersome for some patients. These include increased hair growth, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain. Before you take this medicine, be sure that you have discussed the use of it with your doctor.

How to increase minoxidil absorption?

When used in combination with minoxidil, Retin A can help increase minoxidil absorption into the scalp. Retin A works by increasing the turnover of skin cells and promoting the growth of new skin cells.

How much does microneedling help minoxidil?

Dhurat et al. [3] observed more than 50% improvement in 41 (82%) patients of microneedling group versus only 2 (4.5%) in the minoxidil group on patient self-assessment of hair growth at week 12, whereas only 4 (12.9%) of our patients in the combination treatment group reported 50% improvement.

How do you maximize microneedling results?

Microneedling Aftercare Tips
  1. Boosting progress with supplements.
  2. Avoiding intense activities.
  3. Staying out of hot showers and baths.
  4. Letting the skin rest before further treatments.
  5. Not wearing makeup.
  6. Protecting your skin from the sun.
  7. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Why does my skin look older after microneedling?

Why Do I Look Older After Microneedling? You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.

What is the average price of a microneedling session?

The average cost of microneedling in the US is about $640 per session, according to over 300 patient experiences on RealSelf. This can vary between $300 to $700, however, depending on: Your location: Prices may be higher in major cities or upscale clinics.

Can you do too much microneedling?

Even though microneedling benefits the skin, overdoing it can cause serious risks, including skin irritation, redness, and inflammation, leading to discomfort. Overdoing treatments or not allowing ample time between sessions can lead to scarring and even hyperpigmentation.

Can I put minoxidil after microneedling?

It's important not to roll over the target area too often, as this can cause irritation. Pressure should be firm but not hard enough to cause pain. Once the micro-needling is complete, you can apply minoxidil.

Does minoxidil affect facial hair?

The randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study showcased minoxidil's ability to enhance facial hair count in a cohort of 48 men aged 20–60. Application of 0.5 mL of 3% minoxidil liquid solution twice daily led to a statistically significant increase in hair count within the 16-week trial.

How long does it take to see results from microneedling and minoxidil?

Initiation of new hair growth was noticeable by around 6 weeks in Microneedling group and by 10 weeks in Minoxidil group. Rapid growth in the existing hair was seen at week 1 in the Microneedling group than Minoxidil group [Figure 8].

What increases minoxidil effectiveness?

Minoxidil solution is even more effective when combined with the oral medication finasteride (Propecia®), and is also compatible with hair restoration surgery.

What causes minoxidil not to work?

Remember: minoxidil is a treatment for male pattern baldness (MPB). If you're losing hair for another reason (e.g. because of a hair loss condition other than MPB, chemotherapy, tight hairstyling, etc.) then minoxidil is unlikely to be effective for you.

Is rosemary oil better than minoxidil?

Rosemary oil is preferred by people who prefer a natural approach and have modest hair thinning, but minoxidil is preferred by users looking for a more potent, clinically confirmed therapy for advanced hair loss. Many consumers find success with one product over another, and some even combine them to maximize benefits.

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