Does Microneedling Work? 5 Things To Know
Microneedling is a Popular Treatment Method for Hair and Skin Problems
If you’ve spent some time on the internet looking for an effective treatment for an issue with your hair or skin, chances are you’ve stumbled upon microneedling at some point. This method of treating hair and skin issues has grown in popularity in the last few years, with dermatologists performing the treatment in-office and many people opting to try to do their own microneedling at home.
If you are dealing with thinning hair or other issues, you may be considering microneedling yourself, either professionally or via DIY methods at home. However, before getting started with microneedling, it’s worthwhile to know these five essential pieces of information about this popular treatment method. Then, you’ll be fully informed and ready to make an educated decision about whether microneedling is right for you.
1. Professional Microneedling Can Be Expensive
One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make regarding microneedling is whether you choose to go the professional route or the at-home route. There are pros and cons to both types of microneedling, but one of the biggest considerations to make is the cost.
In terms of price, professional microneedling is significantly more expensive than the at-home alternative. However, it may be worth the investment for your hair or skin issues to opt for a dermatologist to administer your microneedling treatment instead of attempting to do it yourself.
Professional microneedling sessions are usually no cheaper than $200, and they can cost as much as $700 in some cases. This price range is in sharp contrast to the cost of at-home microneedling tools, which can be as cheap as $20, and can be purchased online. For many people, the cost of a DIY microneedling tool is much more feasible than even a cheaper professional microneedling treatment.
The high price range makes professional microneedling completely out of the question for many people, and a tough investment to make for many others. If you’re unsure about whether professional microneedling is feasible for you, it’s worth considering some of the potential perks of getting your dermatologist to perform microneedling treatments for you.
2. Professional Microneedling Can Be More Effective
Although professional microneedling is much more expensive than its DIY counterpart, microneedling treatments administered by a dermatologist may also be more effective. If you are serious about finding a hair loss prevention treatment that works, professional microneedling could be a great option for you. If getting your dermatologist to perform microneedling treatments is feasible for you financially, it’s wise to start with a conversation with your dermatologist about whether the treatment is right for you.
Your dermatologist can help you get a deeper understanding of how microneedling works, what each treatment will entail, and how many treatments you will need. It’s important to note that your dermatologist may ask you to come in for follow-up sessions, which may cost just as much as your initial treatment.
For anyone on a tight budget, the cost of follow-up treatments can be a deal-breaker when it comes to professional microneedling. However, these additional visits to your dermatologist can significantly increase the effectiveness of microneedling for your hair loss.
3. Professional Microneedling Can Be Safer and More Hygienic
One of the biggest considerations you will need to make before trying at-home microneedling is the potential safety risks. As an untrained individual, you have the potential to accidentally hurt yourself while performing a microneedling treatment on yourself.
Microneedling involves the use of a tool with a multitude of tiny sharp points, making it possible to cut yourself, and even cause an infection, if you aren’t careful. If you are not confident in your ability to use a microneedling tool at home, it’s best to not take the risk.
DIY microneedling takes practice, precision, and, sometimes, trial and error. That means you’ll need to be prepared to safely deal with any cuts or bruises caused by at-home microneedling accidents. To do so, you will need to make sure that you take any necessary steps to prevent infections, such as using antibiotic ointment and bandages.
In addition, at-home microneedling can be unsanitary if done improperly. After each use, your microneedling tool should be thoroughly sanitized using an alcohol-based solution. If you skip this essential step in the at-home microneedling process, you’ll run the risk of infection.
These safety and hygiene-related considerations can make at-home microneedling not worthwhile for some people. If you are worried about whether you are capable of safely and hygienically performing your own microneedling treatments, it might be best to get treatments from your dermatologist instead. If professional microneedling is out of the question for you financially, have no fear – there are several other hair loss prevention treatments that you can try.
4. Microneedling is Used for More Than Just Hair Loss
While hair loss prevention is one of the primary uses for microneedling, the treatment is also often used to minimize the appearance of post-acne scarring. In many cases, breakouts leave behind deep scars that can take years to heal. By stimulating the production of collagen and elastin and engaging your skin’s natural wound-healing response, microneedling can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars over time.
If you are having trouble getting rid of stubborn scarring from severe breakouts, talk to your dermatologist about whether microneedling may be a good treatment option for you.
In addition, microneedling may make your skin – including your scalp – more receptive to topical treatments. In terms of hair loss, this means that microneedling may help your scalp absorb and benefit from preventative treatments like minoxidil. Also known as Rogaine, Minoxidil is an FDA-approved hair loss prevention treatment that can be highly effective for treating androgenic alopecia, also known as pattern hair loss. If you are looking for a topical hair loss prevention treatment to add to your daily regimen, talk to your doctor or dermatologist about minoxidil.
5. Other Hair Loss Prevention Treatments May Be Safer and Can Still Yield Great Results
When it comes to microneedling, everyone has to weigh the pros and cons and decide for themselves whether the treatment is worthwhile. Given the cost and potential safety risks, as well as the possibility of great results, microneedling is certainly a mixed bag. However, there are other hair loss prevention treatments that are more affordable, have less hygiene-related risks, and can also be highly effective.
One of the best treatment methods for androgenic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss in adults, are DHT-blocking hair products.
DHT is the hormone primarily responsible for causing androgenic alopecia, and certain ingredients – such as caffeine, saw palmetto, stinging nettle, and many more – can inhibit your body’s production of this hormone. By reducing DHT production, DHT-blocking hair products can help to get your hair’s natural growth cycle back on track.
GroMD’s DHT-blocking, growth-boosting shampoo, conditioner, and follicle activator spray make excellent additions to a comprehensive hair loss prevention regimen. Our products are made with a high-quality proprietary blend of DHT-blocking ingredients, all of which are science-backed and proven to have an inhibiting effect on your body’s production of dihydrotestosterone.
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In addition, if you’re curious about the science behind hair loss and how to prevent it, you can visit the GroMD blog by clicking here. There, you’ll find intriguing, helpful articles about hair loss prevention treatments, healthy habits to form for great hair, and much, much more.
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5991915/
https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/studies-support-microneedling-efficacy-acne-scarring
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/