Once the micro-needling is complete, you can apply minoxidil. When using a derma roller at home, it's important to thoroughly clean the device afterwards using 70% isopropyl alcohol to reduce the risk of infection.
Topical Minoxidil should only be used on the scalp 24 hours after the micro-needling session, in order to avoid adverse side effects, such as scalp irritation [15][10][16]. Here are the main steps that should be followed when combining Minoxidil and derma roller: Clean your scalp well and dry it completely.
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. The use of minoxidil plus dermaroller causes your skin to lose moisture and has a drying effect on your scalp due to its alcohol content.
Moisturizers to Use: Use lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers or serums designed for sensitive or healing scalps. Your hair clinic may provide or recommend products specifically formulated for post-microneedling care.
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).
Microneedling can stimulate hair growth by itself, but limited studies compare microneedling and its effectiveness when combined with oral minoxidil or prescription-strength topical minoxidil, so unfortunately, we can't absolutely say which is better.
Use the same concentration of minoxidil, but use more of it... or use it more often. For some patients, using more minoxidil allows more to get into the scalp. This is especially true for males using minoxidil and may be true for some women as well.
Patients should avoid using makeup or skincare products for the first 2 days following microneedling treatment. This includes cleaners, toners, exfoliants. The treated skin requires time to heal and each of the aforementioned products can cause irritation and lead to further damage.
The most common side effects of topical minoxidil application are redness and irritation of the skin. Rarely, patients have reported headaches, palpitations, and dizziness. Oral minoxidil side effects include palpitations, dizziness, low blood pressure, chest pain, headaches, and swelling of the legs.
In short, a microneedling session looks to increase hair growth by stimulating blood flow to the scalp. When doing so, microneedling is effective at treating hair loss and thinning hair. In some cases, it can even promote hair regrowth. Creating tiny wounds, the micro needles stimulate blood flow on the scalp.
Hair loss treatments work best when used as early as possible — ideally, as soon as you notice the first signs of male pattern hair loss. Apply minoxidil properly. Minoxidil is an easy medication to apply, but consistency is key. This means using the proper amount and applying it twice daily to your scalp.
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.
At depths of 0.6mm to 2.5mm, microneedling is suspected to increase both topical absorption (with minoxidil) and hair follicle proliferation (as a standalone treatment).
(3) Patient evaluation – In the Microneedling group, 41 (82%) patients reported more than 50% improvement versus only 2 (4.5%) patients in the Minoxidil group. Unsatisfied patients to conventional therapy for AGA got good response with Microneedling treatment.
DAY 1 AFTER MICRONEEDLING
Drink plenty of water, avoid make-up and use only the products in your posttreatment kit. You may reapply the kit moisturizer repeatedly throughout the day. Stay away from exfoliants or glycolic acids that are present in other cleaners as these can make your skin very dry after the procedure.
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.
Contraindications include the following: Minoxidil should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its constituents, including propylene glycol. The utilization of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
While you are taking minoxidil, weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds (about 1 kg) in an adult is normal and should be lost with continued treatment.
Minoxidil. This is the only over-the-counter medication for hair loss approved by the FDA for use by both men and women. It won't rescue a receding hairline.
The Common Microneedling Mistakes To Avoid Are:
Using Low Quality Derma Rollers. Applying a serum containing high amounts of fragrance after. Microneedling too often.
Why Do I Look Older After Microneedling? You might look older after microneedling because your skin is temporarily inflamed and shedding older layers.
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.
"Dermarolling/microneedling the scalp before applying minoxidil creates microtrauma that activates the body's natural healing pathways, increases blood flow, and creates microchannels in the skin that may enhance the absorption of minoxidil or other topically applied products," says Dr.