Microinfusion of Medications Into the Skin as a Drug Delivery Technique: A Narrative Review

November 2025 in “ Dermatology Reports ”

Khalid Nabil Nagshabandi, Raed Alojayri, Abdulaziz Alghufaili, Mona Alkallabi

microinfusion transdermal drug delivery microchannels androgenetic alopecia alopecia areata frontal fibrosing alopecia microneedling tattoo devices MMP

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Microneedling →

technique to create small wounds in skin to activate collagen production and hair growth

Studysummary This review found that microinfusion of medications using tattoo devices (MMP®) shows potential as a minimally invasive method for treating ailments like alopecia and basal cell carcinoma, offering notable improvements with minimal side effects due to localized drug delivery.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

Microinfusion of medications into the skin (MMP®) using tattoo devices is a promising transdermal drug delivery technique that creates microchannels for localized drug deposition, minimizing systemic absorption and adverse effects. A review of 14 studies from 2013 to 2025 highlights its effectiveness, particularly in treating alopecia, with 8 studies showing significant improvements in androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, and frontal fibrosing alopecia. Additionally, MMP® has shown benefits in treating scars, striae, basal cell carcinoma, and psoriasis vulgaris. The technique's ability to deliver medications uniformly at targeted skin depths, along with its minimal invasiveness and favorable safety profile, positions it as a valuable alternative to traditional methods, with the microneedling effect potentially offering therapeutic benefits on its own.

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9 / 9 results

research Dutasteride Infusion in Male Androgenetic Alopecia Using a Novel Drug Delivery Technique: MMP

July 2025 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

In this study, researchers found that microinfusion of dutasteride using the MMP® technique did not show a statistical difference compared to placebo in clinical assessments for male androgenetic alopecia, though patients reported improvements in the vertex area.

Split-Scalp Pilot Study to Evaluate Effectiveness of Minoxidil 0.5% MMP® Versus Topical Minoxidil 5% in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Split-Scalp Pilot Study to Evaluate Effectiveness of Minoxidil 0.5% MMP® Versus Topical Minoxidil 5% in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

June 2024 in “Archives of dermatological research”

In this self-controlled comparative study of 16 women with Female Pattern Hair Loss, MMP® with Minoxidil showed a better response in the parietal-vertex regions in less advanced cases compared to standard Minoxidil treatment, though overall effectiveness was similar.

research Botulinum Toxin A Delivery Via MMP Technique: An Emerging Therapeutic Approach for Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

June 2023 in “Brazilian Journal of Case Reports”

In this case report, a patient with early-stage Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia showed substantial improvement in follicular density and inflammation control after three monthly sessions of Botulinum Toxin Type A administered via microinfusion.

research Evaluation of Hair Regrowth After Minoxidil and Dutasteride Tattooing in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

May 2023 in “JAAD international”

This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of using tattoo equipment to deliver a combination of minoxidil and dutasteride directly to the scalp over three sessions for treating male androgenetic alopecia, but results are not reported in the abstract.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: Therapeutic Update

March 2023 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia”

This article reviews treatment options for female-pattern hair loss, noting the limited evidence for most therapies and emphasizing that topical minoxidil remains the only well-supported option despite a significant non-response rate.

research Scalp Microinfusion: A Novel Drug Delivery Technique for Hair Loss Treatment

January 2023 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review discusses the scalp microinfusion MMP® technique for hair loss treatment and reports no new results; it emphasizes the need for more standardized studies.

research Elevation of Transaminases After MMP Session With Methotrexate for Alopecia Areata Treatment – How Much Do We Know About the Risks of Systemic Absorption of the Technique?

6 citations , December 2022 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

research How Much Medication Is Delivered in a Novel Drug Delivery Technique Using a Tattoo Machine?

19 citations , March 2019 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, researchers measured that the MMP drug delivery technique administered approximately 1,175 μg/cm² of medication into the dermis of human skin, but these findings are specific to the experimental protocol used.

research Male Androgenetic Alopecia Treated with Microneedling Alone or Associated with Injectable Minoxidil by Microinfusion of Drugs into the Skin

5 citations , January 2016 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology”