Does Microneedling Help With Hair Loss? Experts Weigh In

Hair loss can be a very scary thing to endure. There are many different causes of hair loss — like gradual thinning as you get older or more serious conditions, like alopecia. There are plenty of different products and treatment options that claim they help, but it can be hard to figure out which option is right for you.

Recently, there seems to be a growing interest in microneedling treatments on the scalp because it's said to help with hair loss. For the unfamiliar, microneedling is a procedure that involves using a device with tiny needles to create small punctures in the skin, which in turn stimulates the production of collagen and elastin.

"Microneedling is used to treat scarring and wrinkles, enable skin rejuvenation, and improve skin appearance," Elizabeth Houshmand, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, tells POPSUGAR.

The treatment is most often done on facial skin, but the benefits of doing it on the scalp are undeniable. Ahead, we chat with skin-care and hair-care experts who answer all of our questions about the buzzy treatment. Keep reading to learn more about microneedling for hair loss.

So, does it work? The short answer is yes. "Microneedling promotes circulation to the hair follicles, which can stimulate hair growth and improve hair thickness and density," says Sheila Malek Kassir, MD, a cofounder of Kassir Plastic Surgery. However, it's important to note that whether or not scalp microneedling can help with hair loss depends on the reason for your hair loss, so make sure you consult with your doctor or dermatologist prior to booking a treatment.

Now that we know it works, it's time to understand how. Dr. Houshmand says her practice uses a microneedling tool like the SkinPen to create micro channels in the skin. "The needling is thought to stimulate stem cells in the dermal papilla, increase blood flow to hair follicles, and recruit growth factors and signaling pathways which induce hair restoration," Dr. Houshmand says.

In addition to stimulating hair growth, scalp microneedling has a host of other benefits, like helping to improve overall scalp health. "The micro-injuries created during scalp microneedling can improve the absorption of topical treatments such as minoxidil or hair-growth serums, maximizing their effectiveness," Dr. Kassir says. She adds that scalp microneedling can help exfoliate the area to remove dead skin cells and unclog hair follicles.

The pain level of the treatment should be very minimal. "We apply a topical numbing cream to the scalp prior to microneedling," Kristin Polega, a physician's assistant at SkinSpirit says. "There is some mild tenderness for the day after treatment, but overall, very tolerable for most people."

The entire treatment takes about 30 minutes total, but make sure you tack on an additional 30 minutes to get numbed.

As with any treatment, there are some potential side effects to be aware of, such as temporary redness, swelling, and mild discomfort immediately following the treatment. However, these effects should dissipate in a few days.

"Downtime after scalp microneedling is minimal, and most clients resume their normal activities immediately following the procedure," Dr. Kassir says. "You should avoid any scalp exfoliation for three to five days and abstain from exercise or wetting your head for 24 hours [post-treatment]."

Prices will vary depending on your location, your practitioner, and the number of sessions required. However, the cost can range anywhere from $600 to $1,200 per session. "We also always suggest the addition of either [platelet-rich fibrin] or AnteAge growth factors with the microneedling treatment, and those on their own have varying costs," Polega says. "It's important to understand that multiple sessions are required, and it may take around 60 days to start seeing the results."