Microneedling As An Adjunctive Treatment For Trichotillomania

    September 2022 in “ Dermatologic therapy
    Rachel E. Christensen, Marie A. Schambach, Mohammad Jafferany
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    TLDR Microneedling helps reduce hair-pulling and promotes hair regrowth in trichotillomania patients.
    This case series explores the use of microneedling as an adjunctive treatment for trichotillomania, a disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling. Three female patients (ages 15, 30, and 33) with trichotillomania were treated using a dermaroller with 0.5 mm needles and daily topical 5% minoxidil foam. Over 6 to 12 months, all patients reported good adherence and showed significant clinical improvement in hair regrowth, confirmed by trichoscopy. Microneedling not only stimulated hair growth but also mimicked the sensation of hair pulling, potentially satisfying the behavioral urge and acting as a competing response. The study concludes that microneedling is a promising treatment for trichotillomania, though further controlled trials are needed.
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      in Female  450 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Is microneedling really that effective?

      in Microneedling  24 upvotes 1 day ago
      Microneedling's effectiveness for hair growth is debated, with some users reporting positive results when combined with minoxidil and finasteride, while others experienced scarring and no benefits. Needle depth and frequency vary, with some suggesting 0.5-1mm as effective, but caution is advised to avoid overuse and potential harm.

      community Do you keep gains if you stop microneedling?

      in Microneedling  15 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      Stopping microneedling may result in losing hair gains, as it enhances the effectiveness of treatments like minoxidil. Combining microneedling with minoxidil and finasteride is more effective than using microneedling alone.

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      in Microneedling  7 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      The user started on Finasteride, switched to Dutasteride, and is considering microneedling but was advised against it by their hair surgeon due to potential scalp issues affecting a planned hair transplant. Other users suggest alternatives like Minoxidil, PRP, and avoiding microneedling due to the risk of scar tissue impacting transplant results.

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