How to use Minoxidil and Dermaroller together?

Have you been losing too much of your hair late and having fear of growing bald soon? Here is the answer to your hair fall worries, and not just one but two treatment solutions together! Minoxidil and dermaroller both are wonderful treatments for hair loss and potentiate each other’s efficacy when used together. Let’s see how to use minoxidil with dermaroller together?

• Minoxidil is a topical solution that revives the inactive hair follicles, further stopping hair loss and thus stimulating new hair growth.
• It works by helping the blood flow to the hair follicles, which then increases the follicular size and hair shaft diameter.
• It is available mainly as 2%, 5%, and 10% topical solutions. When applied to the scalp daily over one year, it has proven to be effective in about 85% of the patients. However, minoxidil should be used under the guidance of dermatologists to avoid any kind of side effects.
• The results of minoxidil vary depending on individual response and the relentlessness of hair loss progression.

• Dermaroller is a device that uses micro-needling technology to trigger the body’s wound-healing properties and stimulate hair growth. It also increases blood circulation, cell production, and collagen production in the scalp.
• Dermaroller has a small rolling pin covered in metal spikes with a handle. When rolled over the scalp, it causes micro-injuries to the scalp tissue.
• The scalp then reacts to produce new skin over the areas of injury by releasing human growth hormones and other chemicals to assist. These chemicals then encourage the skin to regenerate and heal. It also stimulates hair growth in the affected areas.
• Dermaroller is now proven to be effective in most cases. But its effectiveness may vary from person to person.

Dermaroller with minoxidil

Both the minoxidil and derma rollers are effective hair loss treatments. Let’s talk first about the underlying principle of how minoxidil works to regrow your hair and slow down the progression of further hair loss.

Minoxidil was initially used as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure during the 1960s, but it was found that its use led to hair growth in some patients. It was then dismissed as a harmless side effect by the doctors. However, in the 1980s, minoxidil was developed as a topical formula for hair loss in men, and in 1992, for women. Currently, minoxidil is the only hair loss topical formula that has been approved by the FDA and clinically proven to regrow hair.

The exact principle on which Minoxidil works is not yet understood, but so far, we know that it is a vasodilator that increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the hair follicles by widening the blood vessels. Minoxidil has been known to increase the size of hair follicles and help grow stronger and thicker hair. Moreover, by the topical application of minoxidil, the telogen phase of hair growth is reduced and the hair stays in its growth or anagen phase longer.

On the other hand, the dermaroller also increases blood flow to the scalp by causing micro-wounds in the outer layer of skin and inducing collagen production. Collagen is a protein that is abundantly available in mammals in fibrous tissues like skin, ligaments, and tendons. It is present in the hair shaft as well as around the hair follicle bulb. Dermaroller enhances and promotes the growth of new hair by thickening the hair root during the anagen phase. As it creates micro-wounds on the epidermis, the body sends more blood to the area to heal it. Hence, it is recommended to use minoxidil with dermaroller so that it is better absorbed into the scalp and promotes hair regrowth.

• The size of the needle you choose depends on how much hair remains on your head. If hairs are sparse, a 1mm – 1.5mm needle is required, ideally, 1.5mm is recommended.
• First, you must wet your hair before using this device to prevent your hair from getting tangled in the roller. 
• Begin from the front of the scalp or near the hairline and work your way down the back of the head.
• At one time, focus on one section of the scalp. Roll over each area 10-15 times, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.

Roll only in one direction on the scalp when the needles are in contact with the scalp. i.e. don’t go forward and backward to prevent any scratches.

• Always, make sure that the pressure you apply should be moderate to avoid over-irritating your scalp and prolonging recovery time.
• Repeat this rolling until you cover all areas requiring treatment.

Both minoxidil and dermaroller treatments are prescribed for the treatment of hair loss. These treatments work best on hairs that are in the active stage of the growing phase i.e. anagen phase. Dermaroller can also be used with or without minoxidil.

Method I: Dermaroller with Minoxidil

• Using a dermaroller before or after applying minoxidil with a minimum of 20-30 mins gap between the use massively boosts the absorption of minoxidil, making it a much more effective hair loss treatment overall.
•  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. So, using minoxidil with dermaroller can result in irritation, itching, and redness as its side effects.

Method II: Dermaroller without Minoxidil

While using the dermaroller without minoxidil, prefer using a needle of 0.5mm – 1mm long.

Combine Methods I and II

For achieving the maximum benefits, combine methods I and II i.e. with and without minoxidil. Try using a shorter needle length of derma roller (0.2 mm-0.5 mm) 2-3 times a week with minoxidil to enhance its absorption. And use a longer length of derma roller (0.5 mm-1 mm) once a fortnight to promote better regeneration of the hair follicles.