Microneedling

Both PRP injections and microneedling significantly increased hair count and thickness after two months, with microneedling showing a greater percent increase in hair count (88.4% vs 62.4%) and PRP showing a slightly greater increase in hair thickness (58.6% vs 51.3%).

Microtrauma-based treatments like microneedling, lasers, and PRP increase hair density and thickness in androgenetic alopecia and promote regrowth in alopecia areata.

A consensus of experts identified seven recommended interventions for AGA, including oral and topical finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil, while identifying 17 interventions that are not recommended.

Emerging therapies such as low-level laser therapy, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, and stem cell therapy show promise for promoting hair regrowth, while conventional treatments like minoxidil and finasteride remain effective but have limitations.

Combination therapy of topical minoxidil and microneedling significantly increases total hair count compared to minoxidil alone, though it did not show a statistically significant increase in hair diameter.

Oral dutasteride demonstrates better efficacy than finasteride for AGA with similar tolerability, while topical delivery methods like microneedling or mesotherapy may reduce systemic adverse events.

Standard treatments like topical minoxidil and oral finasteride are established, while newer modalities like PRP, LLLT, and oral minoxidil show encouraging results but lack standardized protocols.

In mice with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, hyaluronic acid microneedle delivery of minoxidil at one-tenth the standard topical dose produced greater hair growth than conventional topical minoxidil treatment.

Dissolving microneedles offer superior drug loading and simpler fabrication/disposal compared to coated or hollow microneedles, with potential applications in hair and scalp disorders.

The review outlines various current and emerging therapies for hair loss, including pharmacological agents, devices, and cellular therapies.

Microneedling serves as an effective adjunct therapy for androgenic alopecia when paired with minoxidil, growth factors, or PRP, and shows promise as a standalone therapy for alopecia areata.

The review discusses the pathophysiology and various emerging treatments such as microneedling, LLLT, and autologous fat transfer for female pattern hair loss.

Microneedling monotherapy is more effective than 5% topical minoxidil alone, and combining microneedling with 5% minoxidil provides a significant additional increase in total hair count compared to microneedling monotherapy.

PRP shows promise for promoting hair regrowth and improving skin quality, particularly when combined with microneedling or laser therapies, although standardized treatment protocols are lacking.

Fractional laser and microneedling, especially when combined with topical agents, show promise for promoting hair regrowth in alopecia areata based on limited small studies.