I covered using a derma roller for hair loss briefly in How to Regrow Bald Spots with Jamaican Black Castor Oil.
Microneedling bald spots is one of the most effective ways to recover from hair loss.
It is also my no 1 recommended tool in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide. In this article, I’ll be covering:-
- Benefits of the derma roller
- How to use the derma roller for hair growth
- What derma roller size to use for hair loss
- Side effects of the derma roller
- How to care for your derma roller and when you need to replace it
What is the Derma Roller?
The derma roller is a cylindrically shaped drum studded with very fine needles, which is used for breaking down old scar tissue and stimulating the skin cells.
This process helps the cells to reproduce rapidly and form new tissue layers of elastin and collagen fibers.
The derma roller was designed primarily to treat scar tissue but can be used on any part of the body.
It comes in different sizes ranging from 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm and the size you choose depends on which skin area you are going to use it on.
Is Derma Roller Effective for Hair Growth?
Yes, the derma roller is very effective for hair growth. It’s my no 1 recommended method for regrowing bald spots in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide.
There have been studies carried out that prove the derma roller works plus I used it on my snatched edges and it grew back my edges.
What Derma Roller Size to Use for Hair Loss?
For my scalp, I bought the 0.5 mm. If my scalp hadn’t responded as I hoped, I would have moved on to the 0.75 mm length.
However, I wouldn’t recommend going for a size bigger than that as you may injure yourself.
How To Use the Derma Roller for Hair Growth
Step 1 – Section Your Hair
Section your hair away from the area you want to roll, wipe the spot with a clean towel, then press the roller firmly against the spot.
Step 2 – Roll Back and Forth
Rollback and forth and then left and right, all the while pressing the roller firmly against the spot for about 5 – 10 mins.
If you feel any kind of pain, you’re pressing down too hard.
Step 3 – Let Hair Fall Back
Afterward, let the parted hair fall back in place and leave the area alone. Pricked skin closes up within 1 hour.
Ade Ori Derma Roller for Hair Loss Recovery
How Often Do You Use a Derma Roller?
I usually roll my scalp 2 – 3 times a week.
Since I was also combining the derma roller with other methods – scalp massages with a special blend Jamaican black castor oil and inversion, it was necessary to space out the treatment.
Derma rolling every day will likely be too much for your scalp anyway.
If you’ve never used a derma roller, start with 1 – 2 times a week and keep a note of how your scalp reacts to it before you proceed to over 2 times a week.
Do Derma Rollers Hurt?
The derma roller causes a prickly sensation but shouldn’t be painful. I actually started enjoying the needling a bit after the first few times.
My scalp was usually red the day afterward but it wasn’t painful. Just a little bit sore.
I never oiled or massaged the bald spots the same day I rolled or the next day because it made my scalp oily.
If you feel pain when you’re rolling, then you’re applying too much pressure. Ease up on it.
Derma Roller for Hair Loss (Before and After)
Before I incorporated derma rolling into my hair treatment regimen, the bald spot on the right just wouldn’t budge no matter what I did.
As soon as I added derma rolling and massaging with the special blend JBCO into the mix, it started sprouting hair after about 3 months.
Check out some before and after pictures below:
Derma Roller for Hair Loss (Before and After)
Here are a few paramount safety rules I followed which I never compromised on.
If I was too lazy to go through all this, I just postponed the derma rolling until the next evening.
How Often Do You Need to Replace a Derma Roller?
Before derma rolling, always check the needles are all straight and of the same length.
If they aren’t, it’s time to replace it. I replace mine every 6 months whether it’s bent or not.
How do You Clean a Derma Roller?
- Always sterilize the derma roller by washing in warm soapy water after using it, then soaking in a disinfectant with around 50 – 75% ethanol for 5 minutes. Discard the solution afterward.
- Do not touch the needles while washing or disinfecting. Set it down somewhere to air dry on its own and keep it locked up in its container between uses.
- Keep it away from sources of contamination. Keeping the derma roller in its airtight container solves this issue.
- You must disinfect the derma roller every time you use it. If it’s left unused for a long time, disinfect it before you resume using it.
What Are the Side Effects of the Derma Roller?
There aren’t any major side effects apart from the tingling sensation and slight redness on the rolled area, which fades by the next morning.
You shouldn’t be attacking your scalp with the derma roller. Roll firmly with a bit of pressure but gently.
Derma Rolling and Minoxidil
A study was carried out using micro-needling with topical Minoxidil (5%) and the results were impressive and promising. You can read more about this study HERE.
Where to Buy a Derma Roller?
If you are looking to purchase a derma roller, we recently launched our brand HERE. Be wary of cheap rollers.
The needles on cheap rollers bend easily and you can injure your scalp if you use a bad derma roller for your scalp.
Use code INTRO5 for $5 Off! The derma roller includes free shipping, a comprehensive user guide, and a free hair dairy and planner for you to track your progress.
There’s also post-sales support if you have any questions.
Be patient, consistent in its use, and combine with what may already work for you and you will definitely see results.
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll be interested in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide: Stop Hair Loss. Regrow Bald Spots. Fill in Thin Areas.
The book is a comprehensive tool for recovering from hair loss, regrowing bald spots, filling in thin areas of your scalp, and the best ways to keep your hair healthy.
You can learn more about the book and grab your discounted copy HERE.
In addition to discussing the derma roller, the guide also includes over 15 additional techniques for solving hair growth issues.
Buyers of the derma roller get an additional discount for the book.
The book is updated comprehensively every year with new and updated information so the content is never out of date.
More Healthy Hair Growth Resources
This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.