The Benefits of Microneedling: Pros, Cons, & Risks

Microneedling is a process where small points are applied on the skin surface with very fine, sterile needles. It stimulates the natural healing process of the skin, which in turn stimulates collagen and elastin production, potentially stimulating hair growth. 

Here, we will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment and how Hairy Hair can assist you in coping with your hair loss.

How does it work?

Microneedling induces factors for healing in the skin by injuring the outermost layer. Collagen is responsible for the skin’s youthful appearance, and your body needs more of it as you age. Injury also causes lower collagen.

Microneedling takes months to see effects because it is dependent on the regeneration of fresh skin. The effects of the treatment might not be seen for a long time after starting the treatment.

Microneedling is possible at home or in a clinic. Home devices are less expensive than going to see a dermatologist, but they do have some limitations. Public dermarollers are not as sharp as clinical-grade ones, so the effects may not be as potent.

The shorter needles of home equipment guarantee that they are not designed to penetrate skin, and the treatment is not going to be uncomfortable. Even though results may not be as effective as clinical treatments, the effect should still circulate blood into the scalp so that more oxygen and nutrients may get to your follicles.

It is essential to be careful with an at-home device since it may be more difficult to disinfect and clean. When you fail to provide your device with proper cleaning and disinfection, it is able to encourage infection or trauma. Defective application, through over-pressuring the device, is also likely to encourage infection from using these home devices.

What are the advantages of microneedling?

Studies have provided positive findings that show microneedling can help with certain forms of hair loss. In this 2018 systematic review, the procedure was discovered to promote hair growth when used to treat androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).

Additional studies will be required to establish whether microneedling works for other forms of baldness and whether it needs to be combined with other drugs to produce the best results.

The procedure worked best when combined with other topical agents such as minoxidil or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, the Journal of Dermatology and Therapy found.

This is because microneedling creates tiny channels in the scalp that allow more of a topical product to penetrate deeper within the skin. This would suggest that the combination therapy would be effective in a clinical and a home treatment regime, although variation in dermaroller devices would affect the efficiency.

PRP injections are often combined with microneedling in an office, since it is also a treatment that involves natural growth factors to promote hair growth. When this happens, your blood is taken and put in a centrifuge to isolate the plasma. Once separated, the plasma is then injected into the balding area of your scalp.

Plasma infusion of the scalp stimulates new hair growth because plasma contains stem cells, which are well known for stimulating regeneration. PRP treatment can activate inactive hair follicles because they are stimulated using nutrients and oxygen.

What are the disadvantages of microneedling?

Though microneedling has been well regarded as being fairly safe and effective, as with any cosmetic treatment, it is not without some risk. The most frequent side effect following treatment would be irritation within the treatment site. 

Other possible side effects, though less likely, include swelling, pain, redness, bruising, dryness, and peeling or flaking of the skin. Less serious side effects include bleeding, which could be followed by a more widespread treatment.

Certain individuals might be at a greater risk of bleeding, such as those with a blood disorder or on blood-thinning drugs. You need to inform your doctor in advance if you decide to undergo clinical sessions by revealing this information.

Serious potential side effects include infection, skin pigment changes, and sensitivity to topical treatment. As soon as your treatment is paired with a treatment like low-level laser therapy (LLLT), you are at a higher risk category for burning the sensitive recipient site following microneedling.

Not everybody is a candidate for this type of treatment, including those with an active skin infection, active acne, keloid scarring, or an unstable skin type.

It’s best to seek out an experienced medical practitioner if obtaining these treatments at a clinic in order to minimise these risks. If using a device at home, be sure to follow all instructions for cleaning and disinfecting in order to use it safely.

How can Hairy Hair assist with my hair loss?

There are several positives and negatives to microneedling treatments. It can possibly stimulate elastin and collagen production to keep skin plump and healthy. When done on the scalp, it can possibly be able to stimulate hair growth from resting follicles by increasing blood flow to the scalp.

There are some possible risks associated with microneedling. These include skin reactions, pain, swelling, or redness. The treatment alone may not be enough to regain hair lost and to prevent further hair loss, particularly in severe or moderate conditions.

By choosing a combination treatment that targets various hair loss issues, you may be able to give your hair a better chance to stimulate new growth and fight shedding.

Hairy Hair offers an exclusive daily pill with a robust combination of ingredients. The product is a dihydrotestosterone blocker. By inhibiting the transformation of testosterone to DHT, you may be able to keep hair follicles from shrinking in size and eventually stop producing strands of hair.

In addition, the pill also functions as a vasodilator to allow more oxygen and nutrients to be transported to your scalp. This is done with natural growth promoters to assist in the creation of keratin, the protein that lies at the core of hair growth, and block inflammation.

Conclusion

Microneedling is generally a safe and successful treatment to stimulate new hair growth. As it tightens and rejuvenates your skin, your hair follicles are more capable of regrowing healthy and strong hair.

Microneedling also has a few side effects, like swelling or redness, but these can be minimised by going to an experienced dermatologist. The home treatment will never be the same and is only going to add to the risk of side effects through improper use or poor disinfecting and cleaning.

If you are suffering from hair loss and would like to begin taking action to treat it, contact Hairy Hair today. To begin your treatment, simply fill in a short online questionnaire. Once we have reviewed your information and come up with a tailored treatment plan for your hair loss, one of our experienced Australian GPs will contact you back to discuss any questions you may have.

Finally, your prescription is sent straight to your doorstep, so no clinic visits are necessary. The best time to fight your hair loss is when you first observe it, so you should take the initiative with your treatment. Our own support team will be present at each step of your treatment to provide you with advice and track your progress toward potentially regaining hair and confidence.