Microneedling: A Review of the Literature, A Novel Treatment Strategy for Androgenetic Alopecia

Microneedling (MN) is highlighted as a promising treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), capable of improving hair quality, thickness, and density, particularly when combined with other therapies. The review references a study by Dhurat et al. involving 94 male patients that demonstrated significant hair count increases when MN was used with minoxidil compared to minoxidil alone (91.4 vs. 22.2 mean change in hair count). Another cited study with 11 women showed positive outcomes when MN was combined with growth factors and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). MN is described as a simple, cost-effective, and minimally discomforting procedure with minimal adverse effects. It is beneficial for patients unresponsive to other treatments and should be further researched to establish standardized protocols. The review also notes the potential of nanotechnology in AGA treatment but calls for more extensive randomized controlled trials to optimize MN treatment methodology.